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Download ViGEmBus only from the archived official GitHub release and choose ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe. It is the final official release, supports Windows 11, and includes x86, x64/AMD64, and ARM64 support.
ViGEmBus is a low-level virtual gamepad bus. It does not open a control panel or create a controller by itself. A compatible application—such as a controller mapper, emulator, remote-play client, or streaming tool—must use the driver to create a virtual Xbox or DualShock controller.
Important: ViGEmBus is retired
ViGEmBus is no longer maintained. Nefarius archived the official repository on November 2, 2023, and its end-of-life notice says that the driver and client libraries will receive no further updates.
The last official release is ViGEmBus 1.22.0. “Latest” here means the final published release, not a driver that is still actively supported. The 1.22.0 setup also removed the old updater entirely.
#1 Best Overall
- Controller compatibility: Xbox Series X Controller, Xbox Series S Controller, Xbox One Bluetooth Controller, PS5/PS4/PS3 Controller, Switch Pro, Wii Mote, Wii U Pro.
- 8BitDo Controller compatibility: all 8BitDo Bluetooth Controllers and arcade stick.
- System compatibility: Switch, Windows, macOS, Steam Deck & Raspberry Pis and more. USB Wireless Adapter 2 is compatible with Steam Deck now.
- Support 6-axis motion on Switch and Vibration on X-input mode.
- Supports ultimate software - customize button mapping, adjust stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control and create macros with any button combination.
Official references:
Download ViGEmBus 1.22.0 for Windows 11
- Open the official ViGEmBus 1.22.0 release page.
- Scroll to Assets.
- Download
ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe.
You can also use the direct official asset link:
ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe
Do not download Source code (zip) or Source code (tar.gz). Those files contain project source code, not the normal Windows installer. Older articles may also mention files such as ViGEmBusSetup_x64.msi; those belong to earlier releases, not the final 1.22.0 package.
Is ViGEmBus compatible with Windows 11?
Yes. The official README says ViGEmBus version 1.17 and later were built for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Supported architectures are:
| Architecture | Windows 11 support |
|---|---|
| x86 | Included in the final package |
| AMD64/x64 | Included in the final package |
| ARM64 | Included in the final package |
Windows 11 itself is 64-bit only, but the all-in-one installer includes the supported architecture files. To see the system type reported by Windows, open Settings > System > About and check System type under Device specifications.
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Windows Server is explicitly unsupported. The fact that the driver might install on a Server edition does not make that configuration supported.
Install ViGEmBus on Windows 11
- Open the downloaded
ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exefile. It will normally be in your Downloads folder. - Approve the Windows administrator permission prompt if one appears.
- Follow the installer’s instructions.
- Restart Windows if the installer or the application that uses ViGEmBus requests it.
If you are upgrading an existing ViGEmBus installation and the first attempt does not complete correctly, run the same installer a second time. The official 1.22.0 release notes specifically document this possible in-place upgrade behavior.
Do not use the old /qn instruction with 1.22.0
Some older ViGEmBus documentation describes /qn for the 1.17.333 MSI installer. The final 1.22.0 release is an EXE, and its release notes do not document a supported silent-install command. Therefore, do not assume that this older command is valid:
ViGEmBusSetup_x64.msi /qnIf you need an unattended deployment, obtain the installation parameters from the software or deployment documentation you are using rather than transferring the old MSI instruction to the current EXE.
Rank #2
- Type: PS2 To PS3/PC Controller Converter, connect to your PS3 or PC USB Ports.
- Function: Adapter to use your PS2 controller on PS3 console or PC/Laptop, fully compatible with the console and control.
- Use: Converts PS2 or PS1 vibration controller to play with PS3 games on PS3 system, without requiring any external power or driver to operate. Easy to set up and use.
- Compatible With: All original and third party for PS2 Controller (wired and wireless), supports most of for P3 games and for P2 or P1 vibration controllers, can be directly used with PC computer.
- Application: Support wired For PS1/For PS2 hand lever and wireless For PS1/For PS2 hand lever. Applied on PC/For PS3.
Verify the driver installation
ViGEmBus has no normal graphical configuration application. Use Device Manager to check the bus driver:
- Open Start and search for Device Manager.
- Open Device Manager.
- Select View on the menu bar.
- Choose Devices by connection.
- Look for Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus or Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus.
For more information, right-click Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus and select Properties. On the General tab, confirm that the device status says it is working properly. The Driver tab shows the installed driver information.
The driver version shown in Device Manager does not necessarily say 1.22.0. The release notes state that the underlying driver version did not change in the final setup; the setup version and driver version are separate identifiers.
Why no virtual controller appears
Installing ViGEmBus alone does not automatically add an Xbox or DualShock controller to Windows. It installs the bus framework. A compatible application must request a virtual controller through that framework.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteAfter installation, open the controller mapper, emulator, remote-play program, or streaming application that needs ViGEmBus and configure its virtual-controller feature there. If that application still reports that ViGEmBus is missing, check the Device Manager entry before reinstalling.
Remove ViGEmBus from Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Open Installed apps.
- Search for Nefarius or Emulation.
- Find Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus Driver.
- Select its three-dot More button.
- Select Uninstall and follow the prompts.
If the entry is not listed, run the ViGEmBus installer again. It may offer a removal option.
Clean up ViGEmBus before reinstalling
Use a deeper cleanup if Device Manager shows duplicate bus entries or reinstalling continues to fail. This procedure removes driver packages, so select only the ViGEmBus files.
Rank #3
- Widely Compatibility: Our xbox controller adapter is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox One X|S, Elite|Elite Series 2, Xbox Series X|S Controller. With xbox adapter for pc, you can use the controller to play games on PC, laptops or tablets and Windows 10/8/7 with USB 2.0/3.0. ❌ Note: Xbox 360 controller and third-party controllers, as well as third-party wireless headsets are not supported.
- Play with Others: The xbox controller wireless adapter can support up to 8 wireless controllers at the same time,plus up to 4 chat headsets or 2 stereo headsets. It means that you can play games with friends or family together. (Note: The headsets only supported under windows 10 system, and the wireless headsets must be specially designed for Xbox, universal wireless headsets cannot be connected.）
- Stable Transmission: No disconnected, no delay and stable transmission. Make sure that you're within signal range (20ft or less) of the xbox one wireless adapter. The xbox wireless adapter for windows 10 uses the original chip and the most advanced technology to ensure that you get the same gaming experience with the official Xbox pc adapter.
- Easy to use: Just plug this xbox controller pc adapter into your PC( windows 10), press and hold the adapter's pairing button 3S to connect to the controller,then you can play games. (Note: If your system is Windows 7 or 8, which can not auto connect adapter, you need to download the driver from the Microsoft website. Please tell us if you don’t know what to do.)
- What You Get: 1x xbox controller adapter for pc, 1xuser manual. Please feel free to tell us any questions after you receive the item.
- Uninstall ViGEmBus normally.
- Restart Windows.
- Open Device Manager.
- Select View > Devices by connection.
- Uninstall every entry named Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus or Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus.
- Download and open Driver Store Explorer.
- Sort the list by the INF column.
- Find the entries named
vigembus.inf. - Select only those ViGEmBus entries and enable Force Deletion.
- Select Delete Driver.
- Restart Windows.
- Check that the ViGEmBus devices and
vigembus.infentries are gone.
Do not select unrelated driver packages when using Force Deletion. Removing the wrong package can affect other hardware.
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Common ViGEmBus problems
The upgrade fails the first time
Run ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe again. A first-attempt in-place upgrade failure is mentioned in the official 1.22.0 release notes.
There are multiple ViGEmBus entries
Duplicate entries can result from multiple versions or from controller applications that installed their own copy. Remove the duplicate devices and driver-store entries using the clean-removal procedure above, then install the final official release again.
HP Omen reports an old driver
Some HP Omen systems include a modified ViGEmBus fork dating from 2018. An application that scans for ViGEmBus may detect that older HP driver instead of the current Nefarius entry. Check the device name, driver details, and duplicate entries in Device Manager.
The application still says the driver is missing
Confirm all of the following:
- Only one ViGEmBus entry is present.
- The device name begins with Nefarius.
- The General tab reports that the device is working properly.
- The Driver tab shows the expected installed driver.
Restart the controller application after checking. Some applications bundle or silently install their own ViGEmBus copy. If the application replaces the system installation or continues to report an error, consult that application’s vendor.
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Versions through 1.21.442 included an updater configuration that contacted updates.vigem.org. Nefarius warned that the retired domain could eventually be controlled by someone else. The safest current solution is to install 1.22.0, whose updater was removed.
For reference, old installations stored the configuration at:
Rank #4
- [Package Contents] Includes four adapters (4.3*1.8 cm / 1.7*0.7 inch). These adapters are compatible with most PS/2 interface mice and keyboards. Only mice or keyboards with built-in chip converters will work; please check compatibility before purchasing.
- [USB to PS/2 Adapter] This USB to PS/2 adapter allows you to easily connect a USB mouse or keyboard to a computer with limited USB ports. Note that the resulting USB port can only be used to connect a mouse and keyboard; other USB devices cannot be connected.
- [Driver-Free Installation] This adapter features a plug-and-play design, requiring no software drivers. Simply plug your mouse or keyboard into a PS/2 port to use your device without any additional setup, ensuring a hassle-free and convenient experience.
- [Instructions] The PS/2 to USB adapter is not hot-swappable, so be sure to turn off your computer before connecting the adapter. After connecting, please restart your computer. If the middle mouse button becomes unresponsive, simply restart your computer for optimal performance.
- [Wide Application] This adapter is ideal for computers with insufficient USB ports or malfunctioning USB devices. By converting a USB port to a PS/2 connection, you can ensure stable use of your mouse or keyboard without taking up valuable USB ports, thereby enhancing the functionality of your device.
C:Program FilesNefarius Software SolutionsViGEm Bus DriverViGEmBus_Updater.iniThe final release is preferable to manually editing this obsolete configuration.
FAQ
What is the latest official ViGEmBus version for Windows 11?
ViGEmBus 1.22.0 is the final official release, published on November 2, 2023. The project is retired and no longer maintained.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Where should I download ViGEmBus?
Download it from the archived official GitHub release page. The correct final installer is ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe.
Does ViGEmBus create a controller automatically?
No. It installs the virtual gamepad bus. A compatible mapper, emulator, remote-play application, or other program must create the virtual controller.
Why does Device Manager show a driver version other than 1.22.0?
The setup version and underlying driver version are different. The 1.22.0 release notes say that the underlying driver version did not change.
Can I install ViGEmBus on Windows Server?
Windows Server is explicitly unsupported by the ViGEmBus project, even if installation happens to work.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Is the /qn command supported by the final ViGEmBus installer?
Not according to the 1.22.0 release notes. /qn was documented for an older MSI release, while the final package is an EXE.
The Bottom Line
For Windows 11, use the official ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe release asset. Install it normally, verify Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus in Device Manager, and remember that another application must create the virtual controller. Because ViGEmBus is retired, avoid unofficial “updated” downloads and treat the final release as legacy software.
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