Installed fresh Windows 11, restored DCS.openbeta in Saved Games, but all modules key mappings back to default

[609_Relentov]

Requesting any help suggestions - my Windows 10 to 11 upgrade had issues, so after backing up my DCS.openbeta folder under Saved Games on my C drive (among other backups  ), I had done a fresh/clean install of Windows 11.

Now I'm re-installing programs, etc., and for DCS I restored the DCS.openbeta folder under Saved Games.  However, when I started DCS and flew in any of the aircraft modules I have, none of the key mappings to my joystock/throttle/rudder/button boxes are there, it's like everything is back to default for all modules.  I really didn't want to have to re-map all of the aircraft modules key mappings all over again, although it looks like that's exactly what I need to do.

Why, when restoring the DCS.openbeta folder in Saved Games, are the key mappings in all of the Config/Input/<module name>/{joystick/keyboard/mouse/trackir} folders not being honored?

Thanks for any input/advice.

[Dangerzone]

1 hour ago, 609_Relentov said:

Requesting any help suggestions - my Windows 10 to 11 upgrade had issues, so after backing up my DCS.openbeta folder under Saved Games on my C drive (among other backups  ), I had done a fresh/clean install of Windows 11.

Now I'm re-installing programs, etc., and for DCS I restored the DCS.openbeta folder under Saved Games.  However, when I started DCS and flew in any of the aircraft modules I have, none of the key mappings to my joystock/throttle/rudder/button boxes are there, it's like everything is back to default for all modules.  I really didn't want to have to re-map all of the aircraft modules key mappings all over again, although it looks like that's exactly what I need to do.

Why, when restoring the DCS.openbeta folder in Saved Games, are the key mappings in all of the Config/Input/<module name>/{joystick/keyboard/mouse/trackir} folders not being honored?

Thanks for any input/advice.

Good news: You won't have to remap each one.

Bad news: Your game devices will have a new ID after a new install of windows.

You'll need to find out what the new ID is (simplest way is to make a change to one aircraft you don't use - such as the free one), and then inspect the file that's created. You'll see it's a different ID to all your old/backed up ones.

Then you'll need to search and replace for this ID in both the filename and the contents of each file in the config folder to update them to use the new device ID.

Edited March 28 by Dangerzone

[609_Relentov]

3 minutes ago, Dangerzone said:

Good news: You won't have to remap each one.

Bad news: Your game devices will have a new ID after a new install of windows.

You'll need to find out what the new ID is (simplest way is to make a change to one aircraft you don't use - such as the free one), and then inspect the file that's created. You'll see it's a different ID to all your old/backed up ones.

Then you'll need to search and replace for this ID in both the filename and the contents of each file in the config folder to update them to use the new device ID.

Right!  I totally overlooked the fact that the new Windows install would have different device ids than before.

Thanks @Dangerzone for the heads up, I’ll try that tactic and see how it goes.

[MAXsenna]

Right!  I totally overlooked the fact that the new Windows install would have different device ids than before.
Thanks @Dangerzone for the heads up, I’ll try that tactic and see how it goes.

What I do, I make one single change for each peripheral in one single module to get a new ID. And use PowerRenamer and replace the old ID with the new one. PowerRenamer is a free tool in Power Tools from SysInternals (Microsoft).
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Hammer1-1]

how do you use that thing?

21 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

What I do, I make one single change for each peripheral in one single module to get a new ID. And use PowerRenamer and replace the old ID with the new one. PowerRenamer is a free tool in Power Tools from SysInternals (Microsoft).
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

 

[MAXsenna]

how do you use that thing?
 

Do you still have your input folders with both the new and the old diff files? I'm asking because I don't have access to my computer today, and off you zip those down and send me I could make an easy step by step guide for everyone, (and do yours for you making it of course ).

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[609_Relentov]

Thanks @MAXsenna, good tip re: PowerRenamer.

I do have another question or two.  I had mixed results after manually changing the device ID on one aircraft, after setting up the controls for the T-51 and grabbing the IDs.  The mappings worked for my two button boxes, but nothing was set up still for my joystick, throttle or rudder pedals.

I noticed for this aircraft (F-4E) that those three device files (js/thrt/rud) only had xxxxxx.diff.lua files, and no xxxxx.lua files.  Must there be that latter file as well as the diff file for it to work?

Also, for many modules, there are old device files for previous devices I no longer have (old js, thrt, rud); can I delete those?

Lastly, @Dangerzone, you mentioned changing the device file name with the new device ID, as well  as the contents.  I didn’t see the old device ID within the files, can you be more specific on what changes inside these device files?

Thanks!

AKA_Relent

Edited March 28 by 609_Relentov

[MAXsenna]

@609_Relentov
Example. I upgraded the firmware in my collective, and it got a new ID. Then I searched for the old ID in the whole Input folder in PowerRenamer, and replaced it with the new one, for every module at the same time. The process needs to be repeated for every peripheral. That's why I recommend changing one single button, doesn't matter the keybind for every peripheral and one axis for the pedals. That will update every file that has the old ID with the new one. Did you try this?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[niru27]

14 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

Then you'll need to search and replace for this ID in both the filename and the contents of each file in the config folder to update them to use the new device ID.

I wrote a scipt to automate this: 

 

[Hammer1-1]

7 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Do you still have your input folders with both the new and the old diff files? I'm asking because I don't have access to my computer today, and off you zip those down and send me I could make an easy step by step guide for everyone, (and do yours for you making it of course ).

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

edit: now that I think of it, I clear rows of devices when I load up my old stuff, so not really sure...

Edited March 28 by Hammer1-1

[609_Relentov]

44 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

@609_Relentov
Example. I upgraded the firmware in my collective, and it got a new ID. Then I searched for the old ID in the whole Input folder in PowerRenamer, and replaced it with the new one, for every module at the same time. The process needs to be repeated for every peripheral. That's why I recommend changing one single button, doesn't matter the keybind for every peripheral and one axis for the pedals. That will update every file that has the old ID with the new one. Did you try this?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

Hi MAXsenna,

I haven’t tried PowerRenamer yet, I just wanted to check if I could do it manually in one module first, to see if it’s working.  As noted it didn’t fully, thus my questions.

[MAXsenna]

Hi MAXsenna,
I haven’t tried PowerRenamer yet, I just wanted to check if I could do it manually in one module first, to see if it’s working.  As noted it didn’t fully, thus my questions.

Sure! Just select one module when you search for the ID. And, I guess I forgot. If you make a copy of the input folder first. You have a working backup.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Dangerzone]

On 3/29/2025 at 2:15 AM, 609_Relentov said:

Lastly, @Dangerzone, you mentioned changing the device file name with the new device ID, as well  as the contents.  I didn’t see the old device ID within the files, can you be more specific on what changes inside these device files?

Hmm... I could have sworn it was in the file of at least one config somewhere, but I could be wrong. I'm not with my DCS computer at the moment, but my guess is maybe it has to do with modifier buttons, and if you're not using those, then it may not be a factor for you.

Also thanks for the solution vote. You'd be surprised how many people don't... (or how many actually vote their own post saying thanks ) 

Edited April 2 by Dangerzone

[MAXsenna]

6 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

but my guess is maybe it has to do with modifier buttons, and if you're not using those, then it may not be a factor for you.

Yup, adding non-default modifiers are stored and can mess things up. 

6 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

Also thanks for the solution vote. You'd be surprised how many people don't... (or how many actually vote their own post saying thanks ) 

Yeah, many tend to mark their own last post the solution just repeating the steps in the real solution!