Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick Drivers: Windows 10 Upd

Reviving the Classic: Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick Drivers on Windows 10

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)

3. Force Feedback – Make It Work

The driver above gives basic FFB only in older DirectInput games.
Modern games (using XInput or newer FFB APIs) may not see the stick at all. Reviving the Classic: Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2

Further actions (concise)

The fix: Block automatic driver updates

  1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced System Settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings.
  2. Select "No (your device might not work as expected)."
  3. Use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro/Enterprise only):

    Are you still rocking your trusty Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2 joystick in 2023? While it's an amazing piece of gaming hardware, you might have encountered issues with drivers on modern operating systems like Windows 10. Fear not, dear gamers! We've got you covered. Issue: MSFS may not auto-detect force feedback

    2. Driver Installation – The Reliable Method

    What you need

    • Windows 10 (any build, 32 or 64-bit – 64-bit works fine)
    • Driver files – Search for SideWinder_FF2_Drivers_x64 (or x86) by R.I.P. Vin64 (most stable).
      Alternative: Use the older SW_FFB2_Drivers_2.0 package.

    Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2 (FFB2) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Windows 10 (any build