Virtual gamepad emulation has quietly become one of the most essential backend technologies for PC gaming. Whether you’re a casual gamer looking to connect a PS4 controller to your favorite emulator or a power user creating a complex gamepad-to-keyboard mapping system, ViGEmBus plays a critical role in ensuring compatibility and smooth gameplay. This powerful Windows driver creates virtual gamepad devices, making games and emulators believe you’re using genuine hardware.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to install ViGEmBus, why it’s needed, how to pair it with popular tools like DS4Windows and x360ce, and what to expect once it’s up and running on your system.
Understanding What ViGEmBus Does
ViGEmBus stands for Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus Driver. It’s an open-source kernel-mode driver built for Windows systems that emulates Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controllers using software. Most PC games are natively designed to work with Xbox controllers, so ViGEmBus tricks your system into thinking an Xbox controller is connected—even if you’re using something completely different.
This layer of emulation improves compatibility between hardware and software. Many games lack support for DirectInput controllers like older Logitech or PlayStation gamepads. Using ViGEmBus, you can translate DirectInput into XInput, which opens up a wider array of compatible games and tools.
It doesn’t act as a standalone app. Instead, it works alongside other front-end tools such as:
- DS4Windows (for DualShock 4/5 users)
- x360ce (for controller mapping)
- reWASD or InputMapper (for advanced profiles)
- Steam Input or non-Steam controller tools
Use Cases and Benefits
ViGEmBus isn’t only about controller emulation. It enables a professional-grade gaming experience, especially when your actual hardware doesn’t cooperate with software expectations.
Here’s where ViGEmBus shines:
- Emulator Compatibility: Makes tools like RPCS3 or Cemu recognize controllers properly.
- Multiplayer Mapping: Supports multiple virtual gamepads simultaneously for couch co-op gaming.
- Older Controller Support: Lets you use older DirectInput devices in modern XInput-only games.
- Macro & Scripting Tools: Provides backend support for macros through emulated button presses.
With ViGEmBus, gamers unlock more customization, fewer disconnection issues, and improved performance across titles that demand precise input.
System Requirements Before Installation
Before installing, ensure your setup meets the basic requirements:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit versions)
- .NET Framework 4.7.2 or newer
- Administrator rights for installation
- Compatible front-end tool (DS4Windows, x360ce, etc.)
Avoid using ViGEmBus on Windows 7 or older, as support and security patches are limited. Windows 10 provides full compatibility with the latest ViGEmBus releases.
Downloading ViGEmBus Safely
Head to the official project page on ViGEmBus at https://vigembus.com/. Avoid third-party mirrors or “driver download” websites to prevent installing outdated or malicious drivers.
Under the Releases section:
- Look for the latest ViGEmBus installer (.msi file).
- Download the signed driver that matches your OS architecture (usually x64).
- Save the file to a folder where you’ll easily find it later.
This installer is digitally signed and verified to avoid triggering Windows security blocks.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Once the .msi file is ready, follow these steps to install ViGEmBus:
Launch Installer as Administrator
Right-click the .msi file and choose Run as administrator. Accept any UAC (User Account Control) prompts.
Accept License Agreement
The installation wizard will open. Review and accept the license agreement.
Confirm Installation Directory
You can leave the default installation folder unchanged unless you have a custom structure.
Complete Installation
Click Install and let the process finish. It typically takes less than 30 seconds. Once completed, hit Finish.
Verify Successful Installation
To ensure the driver is installed correctly:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand the System devices category
- Look for Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus
If listed without any yellow warning signs, the installation succeeded.
Pairing ViGEmBus with Controller Tools
Now that the backend is installed, you need a front-end app to make use of ViGEmBus. Below are popular controller tools that rely on it.
DS4Windows (for DualShock 4/5 users)
DS4Windows is a favorite among PlayStation controller users on PC. It wraps your DS4/DS5 into a ViGEmBus-powered Xbox 360 virtual controller.
Setup Process:
- Download DS4Windows from ds4-windows.com.
- Install it and open the app.
- Connect your controller via Bluetooth or USB.
- The app will detect the controller and use ViGEmBus to emulate an Xbox controller.
- Customize sensitivity, lighting, rumble, and profiles.
DS4Windows makes Steam and non-Steam games work seamlessly with PlayStation hardware, thanks to ViGEmBus.
x360ce (for older DirectInput controllers)
x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) enables users to map non-XInput controllers to virtual ones using ViGEmBus.
Steps to Use:
- Download x360ce (64-bit version) from the official site.
- Place it inside your game directory.
- Launch the program and configure buttons using your non-Xbox controller.
- Enable Virtual Emulation in the settings (uses ViGEmBus).
- Save and test the profile in-game.
x360ce is ideal for making legacy gamepads work with modern titles that only support Xbox-style input.
reWASD (for advanced input control)
reWASD is a commercial tool but offers fine-grain remapping, macros, and shift layers. It utilizes ViGEmBus for virtual device output.
After installing reWASD:
- Choose your physical controller
- Remap buttons or apply game-specific profiles
- Enable virtual controller emulation to use ViGEmBus
- Launch your game and enjoy the enhanced mapping
For pro gamers or streamers, reWASD brings unmatched customization via ViGEmBus emulation.
Testing the Virtual Controller
To verify whether your virtual gamepad is working:
Use Windows Game Controllers Panel
- Press Win + R → type joy.cpl and press Enter
- Look for the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows
- Highlight and click Properties
- Press buttons on your controller and confirm visual feedback
If movements and button presses appear in real-time, ViGEmBus is functioning perfectly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Though ViGEmBus runs reliably, here are a few fixes for potential issues:
Driver Not Detected
- Reboot the system after installation
- Reinstall using the latest .msi from GitHub
- Ensure you’re using a front-end tool that supports ViGEmBus
Controller Not Recognized
- Verify USB/Bluetooth connection
- Update USB drivers and controller firmware
- Switch USB ports to rule out hardware issues
Games Still Not Detecting Input
- Check if the front-end app is running
- Configure profiles properly in DS4Windows or x360ce
- Disable Steam Input if it interferes with ViGEmBus detection
Uninstalling ViGEmBus Safely
If needed, you can remove ViGEmBus without harming your system:
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
- Search for ViGEmBus
- Click Uninstall
- Restart your PC after the removal
All associated virtual devices will be cleared automatically. You can reinstall anytime using the .msi package again.
Security and Open-Source Transparency
ViGEmBus is an open-source project maintained by the community on GitHub. It’s reviewed for bugs, signed by trusted certificate authorities, and doesn’t include telemetry or ads. No hidden bloatware, spyware, or monetization models are involved.
Developers can audit the source code or fork it for their use cases. That makes ViGEmBus a trustworthy and transparent driver for gaming.
Final Thoughts
ViGEmBus has become a silent workhorse behind smoother gaming setups. It bridges the gap between non-standard hardware and standardized software expectations. By emulating Xbox 360 or DualShock controllers, it solves compatibility issues across thousands of titles.
With a quick installation and pairing process, anyone can integrate ViGEmBus into their setup—no need for expensive gear or convoluted fixes. Whether you’re using DS4Windows, x360ce, or reWASD, the core of that functionality lies in ViGEmBus doing the heavy lifting.