At least one of the threads I linked to had generic gamepad setup instructions.
I haven't had much luck in the past with software emulators to make a controller work in software not designed for it...
The forum is named ''ideas and suggestions'' and i made one for a feature I'd like to see built ...

Maybe these links will help ?

https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=307
https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=17126

(They were found by searching https://forums.factorio.com/search.php?keywords=gamepad ).

I appreciate your desire to help but I have no desire to buy steam ...

Koub wrote:[Koub] Merged into older topic. There's a search function on this forum you know ? .

i gave up on forum searches years ago..they never work.
It gave you something to do..don't complain.
Why don't you turn your attention to some of the very very silly and petty suggestions I see here?

I hate the KB input for so much. How about some limited game controller support for movement and opening/closing things?

A trip to Europe isn't in my future but congratulations on your success.

I am very pleased.