If you use a regular joypad then indeed you need joy2key or similar software to be running while you use it. You should be able to automate its start (the way to do it depends on your Windows version). While I did play with joypads at some point, I later moved to embedding an arduino controller inside my custom jog box, and then you don’t need joy2key at all (but it’s also much, much more complex to build the jog box, nowhere near plug and play).
If you are using Carbide Motion, I hear some game controllers are natively supported (never tested this myself), so that could simplify your setup too.
Ok thank you. The controller board I perched told me to use the raspberry software and wow I was so confused that’s why I tried the joytokey simple. But thanks for answering my question I’ll look into something different.