How to Use DS5Windows with Xbox Game Pass Games on PC

The Xbox Game Pass PC library offers access to hundreds of top-tier games. However, if you prefer playing on PC with a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem presents an immediate obstacle: Xbox Game Pass games exclusively expect XInput signals.

When you connect a PS5 controller via Bluetooth or USB-C, Windows registers it as a generic DirectInput device. As a result, titles downloaded through the Xbox App (like Forza, Lies of P, Halo Infinite, or Starfield) will either completely ignore your controller inputs or exhibit broken button layouts.

Using DS5Windows bridges this compatibility gap. By translating your DualSense signals into a virtual Xbox 360 controller interface, you can play every Xbox Game Pass title on PC seamlessly.

Here is the complete step-by-step guide to installing, mapping, and troubleshooting DS5Windows for Xbox Game Pass on PC.

Why Game Pass Requires DS5Windows (The UWP Limitation)

Unlike Steam—which has its own built-in controller remapping layer (Steam Input)—the Windows Xbox App runs games packaged as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps or protected MSIX containers.

Because these protected game files are locked inside encrypted system folders, traditional launcher workarounds (like adding non-Steam games) often fail.

Running DS5Windows handles translation at the core driver level:

[PS5 Controller] ──► (DS5Windows Engine) ──► [Virtual Xbox 360 Controller] ──► [Xbox App Game]

This guarantees that any game downloaded via Xbox Game Pass reads your inputs instantly as a native Xbox controller.

Step 1: Install Required Companion Drivers

To make sure Xbox Game Pass titles receive controller signals without driver crashes, ensure you have the following installed:

1. DS5Windows (latest release).
2. ViGEmBus Driver (required to generate the virtual Xbox 360 controller signal).
3. HidHide Driver (Essential—cloaks the physical PS5 controller from the Xbox App to stop double-input conflicts).

Step 2: Build an Xbox Game Pass Profile

Launch DS5Windows, go to the Profiles tab, and click New to create a profile named Xbox Game Pass.

1. Go to the Other tab on the right sidebar.
2. Under Emulated Controller, set the dropdown to Xbox 360.

Crucial Rule: Always select Xbox 360 for Xbox Game Pass games. Selecting DualShock 4 emulation will cause Microsoft Store games to drop controller connection or fail to recognize inputs entirely.

3. Click Save at the top and assign this profile to your controller on the main screen.

Step 3: Prevent Double Input Glitches with HidHide

Xbox Game Pass titles scan for hardware devices at launch. If you run DS5Windows without hiding your native DualSense, games will read both the physical controller and the emulated Xbox controller simultaneously. This causes menus to jump two steps per click and triggers button flickering.

Configure HidHide to isolate your inputs:

1.Open HidHide Configuration:Initial Step.

Launch HidHide Configuration Client from your Start menu.

2.Hide Native PS5 Controller:Devices Tab.

Under Devices, find Sony Interactive Entertainment Wireless Controller and check the box next to it.

3.Whitelist DS5Windows:Applications Tab.

Navigate to Applications, click Add, and select DS5Windows.exe. This allows DS5Windows (and only DS5Windows) to read the physical controller.

4.Enable Hide Mode:Activation.

Check Enable hiding at the bottom. A red lock icon will confirm that the physical DualSense hardware is cloaked from Windows apps.

Step 4: Fine-Tuning Polling Rates and Deadzones

Because cloud-streamed games or high-FPS Game Pass downloads require quick reflexes, fine-tuning your controller parameters in DS5Windows improves responsiveness:

Lowering Bluetooth Input Lag

1. In your DS5Windows profile, go to Device Options on the right sidebar.
2. Set BT Poll Rate to 1 ms (1000 Hz).
3. This reduces wireless signal latency to under 1 millisecond.

Analog Stick Deadzones

• Left Stick (LS) Dead Zone: Set to 0.02 – 0.04 for responsive player movement.
• Right Stick (RS) Dead Zone: Set to 0.03 – 0.05 to prevent camera drift in first-person titles like Doom Eternal or Far Cry.

Step 5: How to Launch Game Pass Titles Successfully

To prevent the Xbox App from hooking into the wrong controller signal, follow this launch order every session:

1. Connect your PS5 Controller to your PC via Bluetooth or USB-C.
2. Launch DS5Windows and ensure your controller shows a active status with the Xbox Game Pass profile assigned.
3. Open the Xbox App on PC.
4. Launch your game.

[DS5Windows Active] ──► [Launch Xbox App] ──► [Press Play on Game] = 100% Working Input

Troubleshooting Game Pass Controller Errors

Symptom	Primary Cause	Solution
Game ignores controller completely	Emulation mode set to DS4 or physical pad not hidden.	Set DS5Windows profile emulation to Xbox 360 and verify HidHide is active.
Menu skips two items per d-pad press	Double Input bug active.	Ensure DS5Windows.exe is whitelisted in HidHide and “Enable hiding” is checked.
Xbox button prompts appear on-screen	Standard XInput behavior.	This is normal. Because Game Pass lacks native PS5 icons, Xbox prompts (A, B, X, Y) will map to (Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle).
Steam interference	Steam Input conflicting in background.	Right-click Steam in your taskbar tray and click Exit before launching Xbox Game Pass games.

Summary Checklist for Xbox Game Pass

1. Emulated Controller: Xbox 360.
2. HidHide: Enabled and locking physical DualSense inputs.
3. Polling Rate: 1 ms / 1000 Hz.
4. Steam: Closed completely in background.

By running DS5Windows under Xbox 360 emulation mode alongside HidHide, you can enjoy the entire Xbox Game Pass PC library using your PS5 DualSense controller with low latency and reliable button mapping.