How to Install/Remove

Things to Know Before You Begin

DsHidMini V3 BETA installation page!

Version 3 is still in BETA. Although tests indicate things are working smoothly, keep in mind that you may encounter unknown issues or missing features.

Make sure to check the intro page for the V3 Beta before continuing!

STOP trying to use DsHidMini with random controllers

This and only this controller (Sony DualShock 3 a.k.a. PS3 Gamepad) is supported:
Do NOT contact support for any other device, it will not work, no matter how many times you ask!

DsHidMini was designed to work with Official Sony PS3 DualShock 3 controllers. Most DualShock 3 controllers sold online these days are not original controllers. It can be difficult to tell these fake controllers apart from their original counterparts as they are made with the same molds and have the same symbols and labels on them as official DualShock 3 controllers. These fake controllers might be missing some features (such as motion controls or pressure-sensitive buttons) and most likely will not work with DsHidMini. If your non-official controller does work, take it as a win. However, if it does not, please do not contact support as there is nothing we can do.
If you want Bluetooth support you need to install BthPS3. This can be done either before or after installing DsHidMini.
For the setup to work correctly Windows UAC needs to be enabled. If in doubt, the following page has instructions on how to check its status: link here

Installing DsHidMini v3.x.x

Driver Installation

No pre-uninstall required

Previous versions of DsHidMini required you to uninstall old or outdated software that may cause conflicts. This is no longer required, so no matter what software you may have preinstalled, the installation steps below are always the same 😀

Head to the official GitHub page for DsHidMini releases here. The top of the Releases page shows the latest version, which at the time of writing is v3.5.1 and is currently listed as a "Pre-Release".
Scroll down a bit and click on the word "Assets" to see the installation file named "Nefarius_DsHidMini_Drivers_x64_arm64_vx.x.x.msi" (the x's represent the current version number and may be different from the photo below). Click on that name and download the file to your computer.
Double click on the file you downloaded in the previous step to run the Installation Wizard. Click the "Next" button.
The next screen is the "End-User License Agreement". Read through the agreement and click the box to accept the terms. Then click "Next".
The next screen shows what drivers will be installed. The "DsHidMini Drivers" option is selected by default. This is all you need if you intend to use your PS3 controller while connected to your computer using a USB cable. If you want to use your controller wirelessly over Bluetooth, click the box next to "BthPS3 Wireless Drivers". (Note: this only downloads the BthPS3 installation file, which must be run manually later.) Click "Next".
The UAC window should pop up asking if you are ok with the wizard making changes to your computer. If you don't see it, check your taskbar for a shield icon and click that. After clicking "Yes" the installation wizard will continue.
After the DsHidMini Drivers have been installed, a webpage will open with important information. Please read through it. When done, click "Next", then "Finish" to close the wizard.

Congratulations! Now that DsHidMini (and optionally BthPS3) are installed with the default settings, your controller should be able to work with Windows and behave as if it were an Xbox Controller (XInput device). Continue with the next section to test this.

Checking Controller with `ControlApp.exe`

ControlApp is optional at runtime

ControlApp is a companion application for configuring DsHidMini controllers and does not need to be open for DsHidMini to work. No changes need to be made, as the default settings should work just fine. In this section, it is only being used to verify that DsHidMini is seeing your controller.

ControlApp needs .NET Desktop Runtime 8

ControlApp requires the .NET Desktop Runtime 8 to run. To check whether you already have it, simply try opening ControlApp. It will either open normally or prompt you to install .NET Desktop Runtime 8.

Connect your PS3 controller to your computer with a USB cable. (This also automatically pairs your controller to your computer for Bluetooth if you installed BthPS3).
Download the latest version of ControlApp from here
Double click on the newly downloaded ControlApp.exe.
If you see your controller under "Devices" and it shows "XInput", then DsHidMini is seeing your controller properly. (If you installed BthPS3, remove your USB cable and see if it shows connected with XInput too.)
Close ControlApp and keep it in a convenient location for easy access later.

Testing Your Controller in Windows

On the lower left corner of your screen where it says "Type here to search" in your taskbar, type "joy.cpl", then press ENTER.
This opens the "Game Controllers" control panel window. Connect your PS3 controller to your computer with a USB cable or Bluetooth. You should now see your controller in the list as "DS3 Compatible HID Device" with a Status of "OK". Click on the controller to highlight it, then click "Properties".
On the next screen, make sure that the "Test" tab is selected. Move the joysticks and press each button on your controller to see if everything is working. Click "OK" to exit the Properties window.

Congratulations! Your PS3 controller has now been set up and verified working on your computer over USB (and optionally Bluetooth). If it does not, try restarting your computer and try again. If it still does not work, read on here!

Map emulators for full support

You can now map your controller in your emulator of choice like you would any other controller. However, to get full controller support in RPCS3 (PS3 emulator) follow this guide here. To get full controller support in PCSX2 (PS2 emulator), follow this guide here. Happy Gaming!

Updating

If you want to update, simply follow the same installation steps and overwrite any existing files. Reboot your machine to be extra safe if it didn't work right away.

Removal

The main Beta v3 driver can be removed by just uninstalling Nefarius DsHidMini Driver in Windows' Apps & features
BthPS3 can also be uninstalled the same way as above via Apps & Features
The ControlApp companion application isn’t installed in the traditional sense and can be deleted like any other file

After that, DsHidMini should be fully gone from your computer 😥

Troubleshooting

Removing conflicting drivers

Always try reinstalling DsHidMini V3 first!

You don't need to follow this section manually, just try reinstalling DsHidMini V3 as its installer verifies and removes drivers known to conflict with it.

Legacy section on conflicting drivers removal (click to expand)

We need to first determine if any other conflicting device driver is present on the system and remove it so DsHidMini can take over that job. The steps outlined here may or may not be applicable to your system, it entirely depends on your past 😜 and the stuff you potentially installed. Worry not though, together we shall succeed ✨

ScpToolkit

If you had ScpToolkit installed, you need to purge every remains from your machine. Follow this comprehensive removal guide.

Official Sony driver

If you have/had PS Now installed, chances are high you have the official Sony sixaxis.sys on your system. Follow this procedure to remove it.

FireShock

If you've used Shibari before you probably have FireShock installed. Follow this procedure to remove it.

DSHMC.exe not detecting DsHidMini V3 controllers

DsHidMini V3 requires the new ControlApp companion tool. Check the Checking Controller with ControlApp.exe section on how to get it.

Controller does not connect by Bluetooth

This section is under construction. Meanwhile consult all the other existing FAQ articles on our various project pages.