DS4Windows drivers and runtimes

The app reads a physical controller; a virtual-controller backend creates the device a game sees.

Which components do you need?

Component	Purpose	When to use it
ViGEmBus	Classic virtual Xbox 360 / DualShock 4 output	Ryochan7 setup
VIIPER + USBIP	Nexus virtual controller backend	Nexus guided setup
HidHide	Hide a physical controller from games	Double input or deliberate device hiding
FakerInput	Virtual keyboard and mouse output	Mappings need an alternative to ordinary injected input
DsHidMini	DualShock 3 driver and operating modes	PS3 controller setup
BthPS3	Bluetooth support for supported PS3 controllers	Wireless DS3 with a compatible adapter

Install in a controlled order

Confirm the DS4Windows edition before choosing a backend.
Install its required runtime from Microsoft.
Use the application setup flow for its virtual-controller backend.
Restart when a driver installer requests it.
Connect one controller and test the default profile.
Add optional hiding or keyboard drivers only after identifying a reason.

The runtime is not a controller driver

The Windows Desktop Runtime lets the application start. It does not create an Xbox controller. Conversely, installing ViGEmBus will not fix a missing .NET runtime. Nexus uses .NET 10 Desktop Runtime x64; the Ryochan7 archive uses an older runtime. Use the package appropriate to your build.

Check driver status before reinstalling

Read the app log, then inspect Device Manager or Windows Installed apps. Installer package versions and loaded driver versions can differ. Do not infer success only from an installer closing, or failure only from two different version strings.

Old drivers and cleanup

ScpToolkit, ScpVBus and HidGuardian can interfere with modern setups. Identify what installed them and whether another program still needs them. Use supported uninstallers and the legacy cleanup guide; do not delete driver files manually or remove shared drivers simply because they are old.

Sources: Nexus release documentation · Project and screenshot credits. Updated 11 November 2026.