How to use the PS4 controller with your PC

The ability to utilize a controller from a major console on a PC is something that many of the more astute gamers have long been interested in. Of course Xbox 360 owners with their USB wired controllers have things the easiest, and PS3 holders having to connect via Bluetooth falling behind directly them in terms of ease of connectivity. However, with the release of the PS4, it’s been promised that connecting the DualShock 4 to a PC has never been simpler or more direct. Well, we don’t want to step on their toes, but it’s not necessarily as simple as plugging-and-playing. Nevertheless, with a little bit of patience, it can be done; here’s how… Armed with your PS4 controller and the micro-USB cable included, plug it into your PC. Note* – some people have complained that the standard cord is insufficient in terms of its length, so consider purchasing a longer one if you plan on using the DS4 with a computer for any extended period of time. After a short while, your OS will find the right drivers and so forth, so just wait it out.

Next, you’re going to want to find your device properties box, usually located in control panel. Note* – this is likely labeled “Devices and Printers”. You can expect the DualShock 4 to be called “Wireless Controller”. Following that, simply right click on the corresponding icon and hit “properties”. A box / window will pop up that will allow you to actually experiment with your settings and text the controller, however, please be aware that the touchpad will not retain its full functionality. Barring that, every button on the DS4 should be working at this point.
Adjusting sensitivity is going to be a must, obviously. At this point you can actually load up a game and try to play it, however you’ll most likely need to open the options menu in-game and experiment with the settings and mapping. In other words, you’ll need to meticulously adjust everything and even figure out the optimal control scheme which works best for the title. For this very reason, it’s probably a good idea to load up the game and play around with it in a traditional manner

(keyboard and mouse) before attempting to use the PS4’s controller. In this way, you’ll know exactly what sort of setup to use with the DS4 and how to best map everything out. Additionally, it goes without saying that you’ll want to stick to games that allow you to actually map out controls an adjust sensitivity settings, those that don’t allow for this feature are going to be less-than-compatible with a PS4 controller. Given the fact that the PS4 is still a very fresh console, the release having just occurred, it might be some time before Sony or some indie devs create a program which is able to adequately integrate a DualShock 4 (as well as harness its capabilities) for flawless use on a PC. Until then, have fun experimenting!