Joysticks
[The feature associated with this page, Joysticks, is a legacy feature. It has been superseded by Windows.Gaming.Input Namespace. Windows.Gaming.Input Namespace has been optimized for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft strongly recommends that new code use Windows.Gaming.Input Namespace instead of Joysticks, when possible. Microsoft suggests that existing code that uses the legacy APIs be rewritten to use the new APIs if possible.]
This overview describes the functions and messages that support joysticks, as well as other ancillary input devices that track positions within an absolute coordinate system, such as a touch screen, digitizing tablet, and light pen. Extended capabilities also provide support for rudder pedals, flight yokes, and other devices that use up to six axes of movement, a point-of-view hat, and 32 buttons.
The multimedia joystick API has been superseded by DirectInput, which has more capabilities for today's input and force-feedback devices. For more information, see the DirectX documentation.