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For a Sony DualShock 3 or SIXAXIS controller on Windows 10 or 11, use DsHidMini. Add BthPS3 if you want Bluetooth. Connect by USB first with a data-capable cable, then choose the HID mode that best matches your game or emulator.
Which driver should you use?
DsHidMini is the driver layer for presenting a DualShock 3 or SIXAXIS controller to Windows software as a configurable HID device. Its project documentation describes it as a self-contained user-mode driver for Windows 10 and 11, with USB support and Bluetooth support through BthPS3. It lists compatibility with PCSX2, RPCS3, Steam-related tools such as DS4Windows, RetroArch, x360ce, Dolphin, and DuckStation.
BthPS3 is the companion for wireless Bluetooth use. It provides Windows kernel-mode Bluetooth profile and filter drivers for PS3 peripherals, including SIXAXIS, DualShock 3, and PS Move devices. Its project states support for Windows 10/11 x64 and ARM64. See the BthPS3 project and its README for its stated scope and supported platforms.
At the installation layer, DsHidMini uses dshidmini.inf for Windows 10/11 UMDF installation; input arriving over USB or through BthPS3 is translated into the selected virtual HID report format. The DsHidMini documentation describes the available modes and software compatibility.
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How to connect a DualShock 3 by USB and Bluetooth
Start with USB
- Get a USB cable that supports data transfer, not just charging. A charge-only cable cannot provide the dependable initial connection needed for setup.
- Connect the controller directly to the PC by USB and follow the DsHidMini project’s current installation guidance for Windows 10 or 11. The project documentation identifies the driver package and installation layer; use its current instructions rather than installing unrelated controller drivers.
- Choose a DsHidMini mode appropriate to the target application, then check that the controller appears and responds in that application.
USB is also the practical starting point for wireless setup: connecting the controller by USB can establish its Bluetooth pairing for later use. The PC Gamer setup guide describes this initial wired connection and pairing approach.
Switch to Bluetooth
- Install and configure BthPS3 as directed by its project documentation, alongside DsHidMini.
- Pair the controller over USB as part of the initial setup, then disconnect the cable and test the wireless connection.
- If the PC has no suitable Bluetooth radio, use a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter. BthPS3 documents supported host-radio classes, but the available project information does not certify every retail dongle, so compatibility can vary.
Choose the HID mode for your game or emulator
DsHidMini can present the controller in several ways. The mode matters because Windows games and emulators do not all expect the same controller type.
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| Mode or presentation | When it is useful |
|---|---|
| XInput-compatible | Use when a modern PC game expects Xbox-style input. |
| Sony SIXAXIS-compatible | Use with software that expects Sony-oriented controller behavior. |
| DualShock 4-compatible | Use when the target software works better with a DualShock 4-style presentation. |
| Common Gamepad | A DirectInput-friendly choice for older games with limited axis support. |
| Single custom gamepad | Use when you want a single configurable gamepad presentation. |
| Split gamepad and joystick | Use when the controller’s controls need to be exposed as separate gamepad and joystick devices. |
For an unmodified PCSX2 setup using its LilyPad plugin, the PC Gamer guide recommends SDF (Single Device with Force Feedback). It recommends SXS for Steam or RPCS3 workflows. Treat these as starting recommendations, not universal requirements: behavior depends on the application, plugin, and version in use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.DsHidMini versus ScpToolkit
For a new Windows 10/11 setup, follow the maintained DsHidMini and, for Bluetooth, BthPS3 path. ScpToolkit is a legacy alternative rather than the recommended starting point. Current project guidance directs users who still need ScpToolkit to the original project release page.
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Old ScpToolkit or PlayStation Now driver components can interfere with DsHidMini. If the controller fails after installation, check for remnants of those older components before changing modes or reinstalling drivers. The PC Gamer guide also flags this potential conflict.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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Troubleshooting connection and compatibility problems
- The controller does not appear over USB: confirm that the cable carries data and that the controller is connected while following the DsHidMini installation steps.
- USB works but Bluetooth does not: check that BthPS3 is installed and that the PC’s radio belongs to a supported host-radio class. A Bluetooth adapter’s presence alone does not establish compatibility.
- The controller connects but a game ignores it: switch to the presentation that the game expects, such as XInput for many modern PC games or a Sony-oriented mode for software designed around DualShock behavior.
- Problems began after trying another driver: look for old ScpToolkit or PlayStation Now components that may conflict with DsHidMini.
- An emulator’s controls behave differently from a PC game’s: select and configure the controller mode for that emulator; a mode recommended for PCSX2 is not necessarily right for Steam or RPCS3.
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