Which version of DsHidMini should I download for Windows 11?

For Windows 11, we highly recommend downloading the latest v3.x MSI installer. It features native ARM64 support and a JSON-based configuration system optimized for the latest Windows builds.

Is the DsHidMini installer safe and virus-free?

Yes. All binaries on this mirror are digitally signed and bit-for-bit identical to the official releases. They are audited for safety and contain no bundled malware or third-party ads.

Do I need a specific Bluetooth dongle to use DsHidMini?

DsHidMini works with most standard Bluetooth 4.0/5.0+ adapters. However, you must also install the BthPS3 companion driver to ensure the PS3 controller can pair without Windows errors.

How do I fix the 'Application failed to start' error after installation?

This error is typically caused by a missing .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime. Please download and install the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime from our dependencies section to run the DSHMC control app.

Can I use DsHidMini with clone or fake PS3 controllers?

Yes, DsHidMini v3.x has significantly improved support for counterfeit/clone DualShock 3 controllers, including better handshake protocols for third-party hardware.

Download DsHidMini Drivers

Secure mirrors for the official PlayStation 3 controller drivers. Verified clean, malware-free, and ready for Windows 11.

LATEST

DsHidMini v3.5.1

BETA release

Best for: Windows 11, ARM64, & Steam

🚀 One-Click MSI Automated Installer
🎮 New Xbox One Emulation Mode
🛡️ Signed UMDF Security Architecture
🧩 Enhanced Clone Controller Filter

Download .MSI Installer

SHA-256: 77295683e2ba57adf91afc54701c46f06a7a847f3621b15f2acfa7ea914fcf26

DsHidMini v2.2.282

Classic Legacy Stable

Best for: Windows 10 & Retro Emulators

💎 Time-Tested stability for years
🕹️ Native Pressure Sensitivity (SDF)
📉 Ultra-low CPU & RAM footprint
🛠️ Manual INF / Advanced Setup

Download .ZIP

SHA-256: 27fcdc6c92d661a101cebcbe5e673e620f7723ddee4092d894d275af91a8a06a

Both versions are 100% free and open-source. Need the Bluetooth driver? Download BthPS3 here.

Essential Prerequisites

To ensure your DualShock 3 works wirelessly and connects to modern games, you may need these companion drivers.

📡 REQUIRED FOR BT

BthPS3 Bluetooth Driver

The companion driver that tells Windows how to handle PS3 Bluetooth signals without hijacking your entire adapter. Required for wireless play.

Download BthPS3 (x64)

⚙️ FOR V3.X APP

.NET 6 Desktop Runtime

Necessary for the DsHidMini Control Management (DSHMC) application in v3.x. Most Win11 systems already have this, but manual install ensures stability.

Get from Microsoft

🎮 FOR EMULATION

ViGEmBus Driver

The Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus. Required if you want to use XInput Mode to make your PS3 controller appear as an Xbox 360/One controller.

Download ViGEmBus

Verified Safety & Integrity

Unlike legacy PS3 drivers (like MotioninJoy) which contained malware and caused system BSODs, DsHidMini is built on modern security standards.

🛡️

Microsoft Digitally Signed

The binaries are signed with valid digital certificates, ensuring the code hasn’t been tampered with and is recognized as safe by Windows SmartScreen.

🔍

Open Source Audit

As an open-source project hosted on GitHub, the source code is transparent and audited by the global developer community to ensure no hidden telemetry or backdoors.

Technical Specifications

Driver Framework	UMDF 2.15 (User-Mode)
Input Latency	< 1ms (Wired) / ~4ms (BT)
Isolation Level	Sandboxed (Zero BSOD Risk)
API Support	XInput, DirectInput, HidGuardian
Architecture	x64, ARM64 (Windows 11)

Why UMDF matters: Unlike ScpToolkit which runs in the Kernel (where errors crash the PC), DsHidMini runs in User-Mode. If something goes wrong, only the driver restarts—your Windows stays alive.

Quick Installation Guide

Run the MSI Installer

Double-click the .msi file you just downloaded. The wizard will automatically deploy the driver files to your system (requires Administrator privileges).

USB Initial Pairing

Connect your DualShock 3 via a Mini-USB cable. Windows will recognize it as a DsHidMini device. This step is necessary to “bond” the controller.

Configure HID Mode

Launch the DSHMC utility. Select your controller and choose ‘XInput’ for modern games or ‘SDF’ for PCSX2/RPCS3.

Common Setup Fixes

⚠️ “App failed to start”

This usually means you are missing the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime. Install it from the Dependencies section above.

⚠️ “Bluetooth doesn’t connect”

Ensure BthPS3 is installed. Some generic Bluetooth adapters (especially BT 5.0+) may require a PC restart after driver installation.

⚠️ “Controller not seen by Steam”

Switch the mode to XInput in DSHMC. Steam will then treat it as a native Xbox 360/One controller.

SAFE

🛡️ Mirror Integrity & Security

We understand that system drivers require the highest level of trust. Every file hosted on our mirrors is bit-for-bit identical to the official releases by Nefarius. We perform daily automated scans to ensure no tampering occurs.

How to Verify Your Download

You can manually verify the integrity of the .msi or .zip file using Windows PowerShell to ensure it matches the SHA-256 hash provided above:

Get-FileHash .\dshidmini_setup.msi

Our Security Commitment

🔹 Zero Bundled Software: No toolbars or “cleaners”.
🔹 Original Signatures: Digital certs remain intact.
🔹 Direct Repositories: Mirrored from official CI builds.
🔹 Human Audited: Each major version is tested on real hardware.

DsHidMini is free software licensed under the GPL. By providing these mirrors, we aim to preserve the accessibility of retro-gaming tools for the community.

Hardware & System Compatibility

Before downloading, ensure your environment meets the following technical requirements for a seamless experience.

💻 Operating Systems

✅ Windows 11 (All Builds): Fully native support for x64 and ARM64.
✅ Windows 10 (19041+): Supported via UMDF 2.15 framework.
⚠️ Windows 7/8.1: Legacy support only (v2.x recommended).
❌ macOS / Linux: Not supported (Windows exclusive).

📡 Bluetooth Adapters

DsHidMini works with most standard Bluetooth dongles, including:

🔹 Intel/Realtek/Broadcom: High compatibility.
🔹 Bluetooth 4.0 / 5.0 / 5.3: Fully supported via BthPS3.
🔹 CSR 4.0 “Cheap” Dongles: Supported (often require v3.x).
💡 Note: “Dual-mode” adapters are highly recommended.

🎮 Supported Controllers

✅ Official Sony DualShock 3: 100% features (Sixaxis/Rumble).
✅ PlayStation Move Navigation: Fully supported.
✅ Clone/Counterfeit DS3: Improved support in v3.x.
⚠️ Note: Some “fake” controllers lack motion sensors.

Choosing the Right HID Mode

DsHidMini is powerful because it can “morph” your PS3 controller into different device types. Here is which one you should pick after installation.

HID Mode	Best Use Case	Key Features
XInput (Recommended) Standard PC Gaming	Steam games, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass titles.	Recognized as Xbox 360/One Controller. Plug-and-play for 99% of modern PC games.
SXS (Sixaxis) PS3 Emulation	RPCS3 Emulator, PlayStation Plus (PS Now) app.	Enables Native Sixaxis Motion and LED numbering. The “Real PS3” experience.
SDF (Single Device) PS2 Emulation	PCSX2 (PlayStation 2 Emulator).	Unlocks Pressure Sensitive Buttons (crucial for games like MGS3 or Gran Turismo).
DS4 Windows Advanced Remapping	Users who want to use DS4Windows for macros.	Emulates a DualShock 4, allowing full integration with the DS4Windows software suite.

💡 Pro Tip: You can change these modes on-the-fly using the DSHMC (DsHidMini Control App) without having to reconnect your controller.

Troubleshooting & Error Fixes

Common issues encountered after downloading and how to resolve them quickly.

❌ Controller “Lights Flashing” but not connecting via Bluetooth

Solution: This usually means the “Pairing” hasn’t been completed. Connect the controller via USB first, open DSHMC, and ensure the Host Address matches your Bluetooth dongle. If it still fails, reinstall the BthPS3 driver and restart Windows.

❌ “Virtual Device Driver not found” (ViGEmBus Error)

Solution: XInput mode requires the ViGEmBus driver to function. If you skipped this during setup, download the ViGEmBus installer from our Dependencies section and reboot your PC.

❌ DSHMC Application doesn’t open (No response)

Solution: The v3.x Control App is built on .NET 6. Ensure you have the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime (x64) installed. Note: The “Console” version and “Desktop” version of .NET are different; you specifically need the Desktop version.

❌ Exclusive Mode / Double Input Issue

Solution: If your game detects two controllers (the real DS3 and the emulated Xbox 360), you need to use HidHide. This tool allows you to “mask” the original controller so only the emulated XInput device is visible to games.

Still having issues? Check the Official Documentation for advanced logs analysis.

Safe Removal & Legacy Cleanup

Having trouble installing? Conflicts with old drivers like ScpToolkit or MotionJoy are the most common cause of failure. Follow these steps for a clean environment.

🧹 How to Uninstall DsHidMini

1. Open Windows Settings > Apps & Features.
2. Locate DsHidMini Driver and click Uninstall.
3. (Optional) Use ScpCleanWipe if you are coming from old ScpToolkit versions.
4. Reboot your computer to release the Bluetooth stack.

⚠️

Important Note

Never manually delete driver files from System32. This can cause persistent “Driver Load Errors” and registry corruption. Always use the provided MSI Uninstaller or Device Manager to ensure a clean state.

Stuck with a ghost device? Check out our Troubleshooting section above to learn how to use the ‘Force Remove’ utility.

🔒

Secure Mirror System

Our servers perform automated daily integrity checks against the official Nefarius source repositories. Any hash mismatch triggers an immediate mirror lockdown to ensure your system’s safety.

Our Commitment to Integrity

Bit-for-Bit Identity

We do not repackage, wrap, or modify the .msi or .zip files. You receive exactly what the developer compiled.

Zero Ads in Packages

Unlike generic driver download sites, our binaries are clean and free from intrusive installers or telemetry.

SSL Protected

All downloads are served via encrypted HTTPS connections to prevent “man-in-the-middle” attacks during transit.

Global Availability

Our multi-region mirrors (US, EU, ASIA) ensure fast download speeds regardless of your location.

Need more help? Check out our Home Portal for a full technical breakdown of the driver’s capabilities.