Use the PS4 DualShock 4 controller in Windows 10 The process for connecting and using PS4 DualShock 4 controller on Windows 10 is way simpler than it might sound. This makes use of the latest procedures and processes. As you know, connecting Xbox One controller to Windows 10 device is rather straightforward, however, connecting PS4 controller to Windows 10 is a bit more complicated. Also, we have published an article on how to connect your PS3 controller to Windows 10, as well.
Windows 10 and Xbox are understandably great bedfellows, and it's easy to use your Xbox controller across the two platforms. However, many people have a PlayStation 4 (PS4) lying around, complete with a DualShock 4 (DS4) controller. Whereas connecting the DS4 to a PC was once a bit of a nightmare, it's now pretty easy thanks to better software integration. Here's how to get the two working together and how to use the DS4 in a couple of different scenarios.
How to pair your PlayStation 4 controller with a wired connection
Connecting the DS4 to your PC with a USB-A to Micro-USB cable is by far the easiest way to start gaming with the PS4's pointer. Just plug it into your PC and let the drivers install themselves.
Hitting the PS button in the middle of the controller at this point won't do anything unless you have Steam installed and running. If so, you'll notice that Big Picture mode launches when you hit the button. At this point, you can make some tweaks inside Steam.
How to pair your PlayStation 4 controller with a wireless connection
Sony has an official USB-A wireless adapter meant to bridge the gap between the DS4 controller and any PCs without Bluetooth capabilities. Unfortunately, it seems like the product has been discontinued, making it much harder to track down.
This Japanese version ― which by all means should work no matter where you are located ― costs about $60, making it the most expensive route. If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth capabilities and you don't want a long cable running between your PC and controller, though, it becomes quite attractive.
To use this adapter, just plug it into your PC and let the drivers install automatically. From there, the DS4 should operate just as though you have a wired or Bluetooth connection.
How to pair your PlayStation 4 controller with Bluetooth
If you can't get your hands on one of the official DS4 wireless adapters, you can always give Bluetooth a shot. Fair warning, the connection might not always work depending on your PC's hardware, but it's at least worth a shot if you don't want to snake a long cable to the controller.
Make sure the controller isn't paired with a PS4 ― a good way to start is to pair the controller with your PC using the wired method ― before proceeding.
- Hold down the Share and PS buttons simultaneously to put the controller into Bluetooth pairing mode. The controller light will begin flashing.
- Click the Start button on your PC.
Click Settings.
- Click Devices.
Click Bluetooth & other devices.
- Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
Click Bluetooth.
- Click Wireless Controller.
Click Done.
Drivers should now be automatically installed. Like with the wired connection, hitting the PS button with Steam running will launch Big Picture mode.
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Using your PlayStation 4 controller with your PC
One of the most common reasons you might want to use a DS4 controller with your PC is PlayStation Now, the streaming game service that delivers PS3 and PS4 games to your computer. Once the DS4 is connected, all you have to do is install the PlayStation Now app and follow the setup instructions.
If you'd rather use your DS4 in a number of other scenarios, including those usually reserved for an Xbox controller, I suggest trying out DS4Windows. Before downloading and installing DS4Windows, I paired my DS4 controller with my PC using Bluetooth, although any pairing method will work.
- Navigate to the DS4Windows GitHub page.
- Click the ZIP file of the latest release.
Click Save.
- Click Open when download is complete.
Double-click DS4Windows.
- Double-click DS4Windows.
Click an install option.
- Click Step 1: Install the DS4 Driver.
Click Finish.
At this point I had to restart DS4Windows in order for my controller to appear in the list of connected devices. Once recognized, you'll likely see a notification pop up letting you know that an Xbox controller is being set up. This is good news, as it means that your PC has been successfully tricked. You can now use your DS4 in any place where you'd normally use an Xbox controller, though the on-screen buttons will remain relevant to the Xbox hardware.
Using your PlayStation 4 controller with Steam
Steam added built-in support for the DS4 awhile ago, and some PC games even come with further support and settings that can be tweaked from the in-game menu.
In the case of Steam, you can select the DS4 as the default controller through the Settings menu.
- Launch Steam from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
Click Steam.
- Click Settings.
Click Controller.
- Click General Controller Settings.
Click PS4 Configuration Support.
Your PC will now be tricked into thinking that the DS4 is an official Steam Controller, and you should have no issues using it with any games and apps with Steam controller support.
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The Playstation 4's Dualshock 4 controller is the best PC controller. It's well-made, feels great in your hands, and offers superb feedback where it matters most, especially in the analogue sticks, triggers and bumpers. And while it's not quite as plug-and-play as the Xbox 360 controller, it's relatively easy to use the PS4 controller on PC thanks to an official (but optional) Bluetooth dongle.
If you're only interested in playing games on Steam, good news—thanks to native Steam support, the Dualshock 4 is completely plug-and-play!
First we'll walk you through the basics of getting your PS4 controller working on PC, either with a cable or via Bluetooth. And if you want to play games that aren't on steam with your DualShock 4, keep reading for our in-depth guide to getting your PS4 controller working with an open source tool called DS4Windows.
What you need
Hardware
- Dualshock 4 and micro-USB cable
- Optional: Dualshock 4 USB wireless Bluetooth adapter
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Software
- Xbox 360 controller driver (only needs to be installed on Windows 7)
Installation guide
1. Download the software linked above, starting with the Microsoft .NET Framework. If you're running Windows 7, install the Xbox 360 controller driver next. This driver is included with Windows 8 and 10.
2. Important step: plug your Dualshock 4 into your PC using a micro-USB cable. (If you run into any issues, try using a USB 2.0 port instead of a USB 3.0 port. Dualshock 4s are weird like that.) Now we can get DS4Windows to do its stuff.
Bluetooth installation note: if you want to use your Dualshock 4 wirelessly, take a moment to plug in your USB wireless adapter and pair it with your controller. Simply hold the small Share button and the central circular button simultaneously until the controller's backlight starts flashing, then push on the end of the adapter until it starts flashing. Once both are flashing, they will automatically pair after a few seconds.
3. If you only want to use your Dualshock 4 to play games through Steam, congratulations, you're officially done! Steam added native Dualshock 4 support in 2016, so once you're paired or plugged in, you're good to go. Go into Steam's Settings > Controller menu to configure the controller.
Be sure to pair or plug in your controller before opening Steam or any Steam games, otherwise your controller may not be recognized. If you run into any connection issues, closing and reopening Steam should do the trick.
Read on to learn how to use DS4Windows to use your controller with games outside of Steam.
4. Download the newest DS4Windows .zip file, save it to a fresh folder, and extract its contents using 7-Zip or whatever file archiver you prefer. You'll see two applications: DS4Updater and DS4Windows. You already have the latest version, so you can ignore the updater for now.
5. Open DS4Windows and you'll see the Controllers tab. This tab displays the controllers you have connected. Since you've already plugged in your controller (or paired it via Bluetooth), it should be listed here. If it's not, close DS4Windows, reconnect your controller, then reopen DS4Windows. Don't worry about your controller's ID number; we won't be needing it.
6. Open the Settings tab in DS4Windows to configure a few things. Make sure the Hide DS4 Controller box is checked. This will prevent DS4Windows from conflicting with any game's default controller settings. For the same reason, make sure Use Xinput Ports is set to one.
Now that it's installed, DS4Windows will show up as an icon in your system tray. From the Settings tab, you can also set it to run at startup or remain active in the background. You can also update DS4Windows directly from this tab by clicking Check for Update Now at the bottom left. Above that, you'll see Controller/Driver Setup. If you run into any issues, open this setup and follow the prompts to install any missing drivers.
Using your Playstation 4 controller
DS4Windows works by reading your Dualshock 4 as though it were an Xbox 360 controller. By default, it offers a great one-size-fits-all button setup. So now that it's installed, your Dualshock 4 should behave like an Xbox 360 controller, meaning it will work with any game with Xinput support—which is to say, most every modern PC game that supports gamepads. That also means you won't get the correct Square/Cross/Triangle/Circle button icons by default in most games. Some games will give you the option, though. Look for that in settings.
You do not need to remap anything, but if you want to change some buttons or adjust sensitivity without relying on in-game options, you can. Open the Profiles tab in DS4Windows. I do not recommend making a profile from scratch, but if you really want to, click New to start one up. Otherwise, select the DualShock 4 profile and click Edit.
Ps4 Controller Drivers For Windows
This screen looks complicated, but it's actually pretty simple. Let's say you want to swap your bumpers and triggers. First, find L1/R1 and L2/R2 in the scroll wheel in the Controls section, or just click them on the virtual controller. You want to swap L1 with L2 and R1 with R2, so start by clicking L2.
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This opens another intimidating but simple page. Just click the button you want L2 to act as—in this case, L1. Voila, your left trigger will now act as your left bumper. Repeat this process with the other triggers and bumpers to complete the change and prevent redundancy. You can save this button setup as a separate profile and swap between profiles in the Controllers tab.
How to connect your PS4 controller via Bluetooth
Install Ps4 Controller Windows 10
If you followed the Bluetooth installation steps above, you should be able to use your controller wirelessly. Luckily, you don't have to pair your controller every time you want to use it. As long as you don't unplug the adapter, it will save its last connection, so you can just tap your controller's central Playstation button to reconnect it.
Ps4 Controller Driver Windows 7
The official Sony Dualshock 4 USB wireless adapter is far and away the best Bluetooth option. You may have to hunt for it or spend a little more than you would on a standard Bluetooth dongle, but it's worth it for its out-of-the-box functionality.
Not a controller person? Here's a round-up of the best gaming keyboards, and best gaming mouse.