How to fully disable a button on Xbox One controller in Windows? . Looking for free alternative to reWASD.

How to Completely Disable a Button on Your Xbox One Controller in Windows for Free

If you’re using an Xbox One controller with your Windows PC and are experiencing issues with one of the buttons sending inputs repeatedly—almost as if it’s malfunctioning—you might be looking for a reliable solution without breaking the bank. While reWASD is a popular option for remapping and disabling controller inputs, the subscription cost can be a deterrent for many users. Fortunately, there are a few alternatives worth exploring that can help you disable a specific button entirely.

Understanding the Problem

Like many gamers, you may enjoy the convenience of using an Xbox One controller on your PC. However, it becomes frustrating when a button starts behaving erratically, sending inputs without you pressing it. Rather than remapping the input, sometimes the best approach is to completely disable the button so it doesn’t interfere with your gaming experience.

Exploring Free Alternatives

AntiMicroX
Although you mentioned trying AntiMicroX and setting the problematic button to ‘none’ or ‘blank’, this method unfortunately doesn’t always deactivate the input entirely. While it’s a robust program for creating profiles, achieving absolute input disconnection may not be possible with this tool.
HidHide
HidHide may appear to be a potential solution for blocking inputs, but it primarily functions by hiding the entire device rather than targeting individual buttons. This means that while you can keep the controller from being detected by certain applications, the particular button issue would still remain unsolved.

A Possible Solution: Controller Configuration Files

For those willing to delve a little deeper, there is a potential workaround that involves editing the controller configuration files directly. This method usually requires some technical know-how and understanding of the Windows Registry, so proceed with caution.

Using Config Files:
Locate the configuration settings for game controllers in your system, often found under Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
By identifying your Xbox controller, you might find an option to adjust input settings further. Note that this can vary by Windows version.
Third-Party Applications:
You can also consider other free applications that focus on input management for game controllers, like XOutput or Steam's Big Picture Mode, which allows for controller customization, including disabling specific buttons. Steam even offers the ability to remap or disable buttons in a controller configuration profile.