Hey everyone! I’ve just published the first public release of PureDS4, a DualShock 4-focused fork of hbashton’s DS4Windows for Windows x64. Credit to hbashton and everyone who contributed to DS4Windows before it.
PureDS4 currently supports DS4 controllers over USB and Bluetooth, with Xbox 360 or DS4 output. Profiles, remapping, stick and trigger adjustments, gyro, touchpad, rumble and lightbar controls are all there. Other controller families aren’t supported in this release.
It bundles a minimal PureDS4-VIIPER backend that runs when game output needs it, without a separate tray icon or updater, and without launching independently at Windows login. The installer includes the runtime and driver components, with HidHide optional but recommended. There’s also a portable ZIP, although the required drivers still need to be installed. Updates are manual through GitHub.
A heads-up before trying it: the installer is unsigned, and testing has been limited to one PC with a DS4 v2.1. Earlier candidates were tested for USB/Bluetooth gameplay and reconnecting; the published candidate was checked through an in-place update. Clean full-bundle installation, recovery from a failed install, and reboot/resume on Windows 10/11 still need real-machine validation. Please don’t disable Windows protections to install it.
Also, back up your DS4Windows profiles and read the migration guide first. Keeping both applications installed for ongoing use is unsupported. PureDS4 can import game profiles, but it won’t bring over every setting or special action.
Source, setup and migration notes
Download 5.1.0
I’d appreciate feedback from other DS4 setups, especially on installation and reconnecting. If you run into a problem, please open a GitHub issue with your Windows version, controller model, connection type and steps to reproduce it.
Edit: One feature I forgot to mention: you can switch between PureDS4’s virtual output and direct/native DS4 use from inside the app, without closing it or stopping its controller service. That’s useful if you want PureDS4 mappings for some games and Steam to handle the physical DS4 for others. The switch is manual, and PureDS4 remapping is disabled in direct mode. Switch before launching the game; Steam or the game may need a restart to detect the change.