Joystick as controller in WMR (2021)

Hand-On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) as VR controller

This worked in 2021;  Steam now handles game controllers separately from
so-called non-Game controllers, which are not recognized by SteamVR.

Until OpenComposite,

Assetto Corsa in Odyssey+ involved both Windows Mixed Reality Portal and SteamVR,
which support VR controllers that I find intolerable and make no sense in driving sims.
In VR without a controller, 2-D apps (e.g. Content Manager) become problematic,
except perhaps in a virtual desktop.
For than a couple of controller buttons, a flight joystick (HOTAS) may be wanted.


• In Steam > Settings (SteamVR must be turned off)
  > Controller, General controller settings.
  Uncheck all but Xbox Configuration Support
  and Xbox Extended Feature Support.
• Go to detected controllers, customize HOTAS layout.  Save.
• Open SteamVR; a gamepad icon should appear.
  If not, be sure to open SteamVR by clicking VR button in Steam.
• Make applicable mappings from virtual gamepad in SteamVR app.

  TIPS:
  

  - If HOTAS Throttle doesn’t work or is mapped upside down,
    clear the input and map it to W and S keys with a joystick profiler.
  - Make sure no keys are pressed while launching the game.

• Microsoft SideWinder Precision 2 USB Controller Joystick works as a HOTAS.
• Universal Control Remapper AKA UCR allows remapping inputs from devices
  such as second mice (using interception) and joysticks to virtual HID game controllers.
  • remap HOTAS using UCR and ViGEm
  • UCR Wiki
  • join multiple controllers
• Steam's Big Picture interface has to be told not to use the gamepad for its own interface.
  Big Picture and SteamVR are 2 competing interfaces to Steam content,
  and only one can "own" the controller.
  
  At least "xbox" and "start" buttons are needed on Xbox controller..
  Press Win key + G, go to settings, and disable "use xbox button to open game bar"
  
  Windows Mixed Reality added Win32 app native support with Windows 10 Version 1903.
  I do not know how they get launched:
  "Access the feature by bringing up Pins Panel via the windows button on your controller,
  then go to all apps, where you will find a folder named 'Classic Apps'.
  In this folder, you will be able to select and launch any Desktop (Win32) applications."
  Run Desktop (Win32) apps in WMR
  
  XBox 360 and XBox One controllers differ;   perhaps only XBox One works for WMR..
  
  Windows Mixed Reality "will work with a wireless Xbox adapter (no Bluetooth required)."
  This wireless Xbox seems special:
  Xbox Wireless Controller accessories for Xbox One S feature Bluetooth connectivity
  enabling use with HoloLens and immersive headsets
  
  re-run the WMR learning experience
  
  Play icon at the bottom of the Mixed Reality Portal app will throw HMD preview to screen.