For most of my life, I was convinced that you absolutely needed a console to play video games—whether we're talking about massive AAA blockbusters or hidden indie gems. Fortunately, I crossed paths with a few gamers who completely shattered my understanding of how gaming hardware works.
That realization opened up a whole new world. I started using my trusty 8th Gen I5 laptop at the time to play games, and my mind was officially blown. Fast forward to today: I’ve upgraded to a much better PC setup, and I'm fully enjoying the PC gaming experience the best way I know how—with a controller in hand.
Specifically, I use a PlayStation DualShock 4 (DS4) controller. But if you're diving into this without prior insight, trying to connect a console controller like a PS3 or PS4 pad to a PC can feel incredibly daunting. It isn't always plug-and-play out of the box.If you are ready to make the switch, here is your tutorial on how to use your controller on PC.
Prerequisites
1. DS4Windows
While there are a few different pieces of software out there designed to bridge the gap between a Windows PC and a PlayStation controller, DS4Windows is by far the most reliable tool for the job. You can get started by grabbing the software from the Official DS4Windows Site.
2. ViGEmBus.
Once you have the app, you will need to install the ViGEmBus (Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus) driver. Don't worry, DS4Windows will actually prompt you to install this during the initial setup. This crucial kernel-mode driver runs silently in the background and allows the software to create "virtual" controllers that your PC can actually communicate with.
3. Emulation Profile Selection.
Because most Windows games natively expect an Xbox controller layout (XInput), this clever software tricks your PC into thinking your PlayStation pad is a native Windows device. Once your controller is connected, you can go into the profile settings and choose between whether you want to play as an Xbox 360 controller or a PS4 controller, giving you instant compatibility across almost every game on the market.
And that is how to use you playstation 4 controller to play pc games. Thanks for reading and happy playing.
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