If you are trying to get your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller working flawlessly with PC games, you might have run into a bit of naming confusion online.
First, a quick clarification: while there are sites that throw around the name “DS5Windows” to sound like a PS5-specific app, the actual, trusted open-source program everyone uses is DS4Windows (which natively supports DualSense, DualShock, Joy-Cons, and the Switch Pro Controller).
DS4Windows works by taking your Switch Pro Controller’s inputs and emulating a virtual Xbox 360 controller, which Windows games instantly recognize. Here is how to set it up from scratch.
Prerequisites
Before launching the app, you need a few essential system drivers to allow the virtual emulation to happen safely:
- .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime (x64) (Required to run the software)
- ViGEmBus Driver (The vital background driver that physically spawns the emulated Xbox controller)
Setup Walkthrough
1.Connect the Switch Pro Controller:Via Bluetooth or USB.
Bluetooth: Hold the small circular Sync button on the top of your Pro Controller until the green lights start cycling. Go to Windows Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Add Device, and select Pro Controller.
USB: Simply plug it into a USB port using a USB-C cable. Windows will recognize it as a DirectInput device.
2.Install DS4Windows:Run the environment.
Download the latest release of DS4Windows (the modern forks by schmaldeo or the classic Ryochan7 version). Extract the folder and launch DS4Windows.exe. If prompted, select Appdata for your settings saving location.
3.Enable Switch Pro Support:In the Settings tab.
By default, DS4Windows focuses on PlayStation controllers. Inside the app, click on the Settings tab on the far right. Look for Device Detection Legislation (or Controller Settings) and make sure the checkbox next to Switch Pro is explicitly checked.
4.Create your Remap Profile:Fixing the Nintendo layout.
Go back to the Controllers tab. Your device should now be listed. Click Edit next to its profile. Because Nintendo swaps the A/B and X/Y configurations compared to an Xbox controller, you can use the profile mapping screen to flip them so your muscle memory stays intact, or leave it as default XInput layout.
5.Apply and Start:Hit Start.
Click Save on your profile, and make sure the DS4Windows service says Start in the bottom right corner. The status light next to your controller will turn selected color, indicating it is successfully hiding your real controller and projecting a virtual Xbox gamepad to your PC.
Critical Troubleshooting: The “Double Input” Glitch
Because Windows can technically see both the raw Nintendo Switch controller and the newly emulated virtual Xbox controller at the same time, some games will register double button presses or get wildly confused.
How to fix it: Install a tiny companion driver called HidHide. Once installed, open HidHide, go to the “Devices” tab, check your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and toggle “Hide from applications.” Ensure you add
DS4Windows.exeto the “Applications” whitelist tab so DS4Windows is the only program allowed to see the real controller.
Additionally, if you are playing games on Steam, make sure to close DS4Windows entirely or disable Steam Input for Switch Controllers in Steam’s controller settings, as the two translation layers will fight over your inputs.