ViGEmBus, HidHide and DsHidMini explained
These three names show up in almost every guide to using PlayStation controllers on Windows. They solve three different problems.
Three tools, three different jobs
If you have ever tried to use a PlayStation controller in an older Windows game, you have probably been told to install ViGEmBus, HidHide or DsHidMini. They come from the same developer, Nefarius, and are often installed together, but each solves a different problem:
| Tool | What it does | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ViGEmBus | Creates virtual Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controllers | Retired, repository archived |
| HidHide | Hides a physical controller from programs you choose | See current repository and release notes |
| DsHidMini | Driver that makes a DualShock 3 work on Windows | See current repository and release notes |
ViGEmBus: virtual controllers
Many Windows games only understand Xbox controllers. ViGEmBus is a kernel mode driver that can create a virtual Xbox 360 controller or DualShock 4. A mapping program such as DS4Windows reads your real controller, then sends its inputs to the virtual one, and the game sees an Xbox pad.
The project has been retired. In 2023 the developer found a trademark conflict with a company named ViGEM GmbH, wound the project down, and archived the repository. Existing installations keep working. The developer's end of life notice warns that old updaters still contacting the former vigem.org domain could leak your IP address, and recommends their Legacinator tool or changing the updater settings.
What this means for you: existing installations are not disabled by retirement, but future Windows compatibility and fixes are not guaranteed. Do not download it from unofficial mirrors. For new setups, prefer Steam Input or native game support where possible.
HidHide: hiding the real controller
When a mapper creates a virtual controller, the game sees two devices: your real controller and the virtual copy. Pressing one button then triggers two inputs. HidHide solves this. It works like a firewall for game controllers: you hide the physical device from everything except the programs on an allow list, typically the mapping tool itself.
HidHide is still maintained. Its own documentation stresses that GitHub and nefarius.at are the only official sources.
DsHidMini: the DualShock 3 driver
The PS3 DualShock 3 and Sixaxis do not work on Windows out of the box. DsHidMini is a user mode driver that makes them appear as proper game controllers, over USB or, together with the BthPS3 driver, over Bluetooth. It also supports the Navigation controller and some PS1 and PS2 USB adapters. Its supported device list includes those legacy devices; it is not a general DualShock 4 or DualSense driver.
DsHidMini v3 is the current development line; v2 documentation is legacy. Browser detection depends on the selected HID mode and the browser. Use a mode suitable for ordinary games, such as XInput where documented, then check the PS3 controller tester; installation alone does not guarantee detection.
Where DS4Windows fits
DS4Windows is the mapper that tied these drivers together for DualShock 4 and DualSense users. The schmaldeo fork was archived on 5 March 2026. This does not establish the status of every other fork. Several websites claim to offer the official continuation; be careful which installer you trust, and check that it points to its source code.
Do you need any of this?
For many players the answer is now no:
- Steam games: Steam Input supports DualSense and DualShock 4 natively, with no extra drivers.
- Games with native PlayStation support: connect and play.
- Testing a DualSense or DualShock 4: basic testing usually uses the operating system's existing support. WebHID features still need a compatible browser, permissions and device access. This is not a no-driver guarantee for all controllers.
- Other games that only accept Xbox controllers: this is where a mapper with virtual controllers is still useful.
Troubleshooting a driver setup
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Every button press registers twice in a game | Both real and virtual controller visible; configure HidHide |
| Controller vanished from games and this tester | HidHide is hiding it; add the app to the allow list |
| DualShock 3 shows as an unknown device | DsHidMini not installed or not bound to the controller |
| Old mapper fails to create a controller | ViGEmBus missing; install only from the developer's official sources |
Sources
Checked 26 October 2026. Read instructions for your installed major version; this article does not validate every driver and hardware combination.