DS4 Windows | DS5 Windows

With DS4Windows, you can customize button layouts, use the touchpad as a mouse, switch between gaming profiles, and even adjust the light bar’s color and brightness. It’s a simple, secure solution that helps you get the most out of your controller—whether you’re gaming casually or competitively.

What is DS4Windows?

DS4Windows is a free, open-source software that lets you use PlayStation controllers like DualShock 3, DualShock 4, and DualSense, as well as Nintendo Switch Pro and Joy-Con controllers on Windows systems. It works by creating a virtual Xbox 360 controller using the ViGEmBus driver, which is widely supported by PC games.

Originally built by Jays2Kings, the project is now managed by Ryochan7 and a dedicated community of developers.

Why Gamers Use DS4Windows?

DS4Windows helps casual players and advanced users alike get better control and smoother gameplay. It supports Bluetooth and USB connections, giving flexibility for wired or wireless use.

According to GitHub, the software is actively maintained with thousands of downloads each month, showing its global popularity.

What are the Requirements for DS4Windows?

Is your PS4 controller not working right on your Windows PC? It might be because your system doesn’t meet DS4Windows’ technical needs. To fix lag, input errors, or double input issues, your setup must meet certain software and driver requirements.

🖥️ Supported Operating Systems

DS4Windows works best on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit).
Older systems like Windows 7 or 8.1 are no longer officially supported and may cause problems with drivers or game input detection.

⚙️ Required Software Components

To function correctly, DS4Windows needs the following:

• .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime (x64)
  This is critical for running the backend processes of DS4Windows.
  👉 Get it from Microsoft
• Visual C++ 2015–2019 Redistributable (x64 or x86)
  Required for system-level libraries and smooth communication between DS4Windows and your operating system.
  👉 Download from Microsoft

🔧 Required Drivers

• ViGEmBus Driver
  Used to emulate Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controllers. This makes games recognize your device correctly.
• HidHide Driver
  Prevents Windows from detecting both the real and virtual controller, solving double input issues.
  These are usually installed during DS4Windows setup or can be found on GitHub.

🎮 Compatible Controllers

DS4Windows officially supports the Sony DualShock 4.
It also offers limited support for the PS5 DualSense and some Bluetooth gamepads.

🔌 Connection Methods

You can connect using:

• Micro USB cable – Recommended for stable, lag-free input.
• Bluetooth 4.0+ – Works only with Microsoft Bluetooth stack.
  ❌ CSR and Toshiba stacks are not supported.

Tip: Experiencing lag? Disable “Enable output data” in your controller profile. This improves performance but turns off rumble and light effects.

⚠️ Steam Conflict Settings

To avoid input conflicts in Steam:

• Turn off PlayStation Configuration Support
• Turn off Xbox Configuration Support

These options can interfere with DS4Windows mappings and cause broken input. Meeting these requirements ensures DS4Windows works smoothly, letting you enjoy your games with accurate and fast controller input.

DS4Windows Screenshots

How to Download DS4Windows?

1. Visit the Official Source
   Go to the trusted site: https://ds4-win.com/
   (Avoid third-party sites to prevent malware.)
2. Download the Installer
   Choose the latest release. It’s a ZIP file containing DS4Windows and necessary files.
3. Extract the Files
   Use Windows File Explorer or tools like WinRAR to extract the ZIP.

How to Install DS4Windows?

1. Run DS4Windows.exe
   Open the extracted folder and double-click DS4Windows.exe.
2. Choose App Data Location
   Pick either “Program Folder” or “AppData” for saving settings.
3. Install Drivers
   When prompted:
   • Install ViGEmBus Driver (required for Xbox controller emulation)
   • Install HidHide (optional for hiding the real controller)
   • Install FakerInput (optional for keyboard/mouse emulation)
4. Connect Your Controller
   • USB: Plug in using a Micro-USB cable
   • Bluetooth: Hold PS + Share on the controller > Pair from Windows settings
5. Check Connection
   The controller will show in DS4Windows as connected. The app maps it as an Xbox controller.

Configuring DS4Windows

After setup, you can:

• Customize Buttons: Remap controller buttons
• Adjust Light Bar: Change color or brightness
• Set Touchpad Actions: Use touchpad as mouse or shortcuts
• Save Profiles: Make different profiles for games

Common Issues and Fixes

• Controller Not Detected:
  Check USB cable, charge the controller, or update Bluetooth drivers.
• Mapping Errors:
  Use HidHide to prevent double input.
• Driver Issues:
  Reinstall ViGEmBus or update Windows.