Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this DS4Windows tutorial, I’ll show you how to change your PS4 controller from Xbox 360 emulation to PlayStation / DualShock 4 emulation so supported PC games can show PlayStation button prompts instead of Xbox buttons.
By default, DS4Windows usually makes your PS4 controller act like an Xbox 360 controller. That is normally the best setting for compatibility because most PC games are built around Xbox controller input. However, if the game you are playing has native PlayStation controller support, switching DS4Windows to PS4 controller emulation may let the game show PlayStation buttons like Cross, Circle, Square, and Triangle instead of A, B, X, and Y.
This does not work in every game. Some PC games only support Xbox controller input, even if you are physically using a PS4 controller. If you switch DS4Windows to PS4 / DualShock 4 emulation and your controller stops working in a game, I’ll also show you how to undo the change and switch back to Xbox 360 emulation.
To change the setting, open DS4Windows and make sure your controller appears in the list of devices. Find your controller, select Edit, then go to the Other settings tab at the top of the profile editor window. In that tab, look for the virtual controller / emulation type dropdown menu. Change it from Xbox 360 Controller to DualShock 4 / PS4 controller, then hit Save at the top-left of the screen.
After that, launch the game you want to test. If the game supports PlayStation controller input, it may show PlayStation button prompts instead of Xbox prompts. If the controller no longer works, or the game stops detecting it correctly, go back into DS4Windows and change the emulation type back to Xbox 360 Controller.
For most games, I still recommend Xbox 360 emulation because it has better compatibility. PS4 controller emulation is mostly useful for specific games that support PlayStation controllers natively and display PlayStation icons properly.
In this video:
• How to show PlayStation buttons on PC
• How to change DS4Windows from Xbox 360 to PS4 emulation
• How to use DualShock 4 output in DS4Windows
• How to get PlayStation button prompts in supported games
• How to edit your DS4Windows controller profile
• Where to find the Other settings tab
• How to change the virtual controller type
• Why PlayStation prompts do not work in every game
• Why Xbox 360 emulation is still better for most PC games
• How to undo the change if your controller stops working
• How to switch DS4Windows back to Xbox 360 emulation
#DS4Windows #PS4Controller #PlayStationButtons
In this DS4Windows tutorial, I’ll show you how to change your PS4 controller from Xbox 360 emulation to PlayStation / DualShock 4 emulation so supported PC games can show PlayStation button prompts instead of Xbox buttons.
By default, DS4Windows usually makes your PS4 controller act like an Xbox 360 controller. That is normally the best setting for compatibility because most PC games are built around Xbox controller input. However, if the game you are playing has native PlayStation controller support, switching DS4Windows to PS4 controller emulation may let the game show PlayStation buttons like Cross, Circle, Square, and Triangle instead of A, B, X, and Y.
This does not work in every game. Some PC games only support Xbox controller input, even if you are physically using a PS4 controller. If you switch DS4Windows to PS4 / DualShock 4 emulation and your controller stops working in a game, I’ll also show you how to undo the change and switch back to Xbox 360 emulation.
To change the setting, open DS4Windows and make sure your controller appears in the list of devices. Find your controller, select Edit, then go to the Other settings tab at the top of the profile editor window. In that tab, look for the virtual controller / emulation type dropdown menu. Change it from Xbox 360 Controller to DualShock 4 / PS4 controller, then hit Save at the top-left of the screen.
After that, launch the game you want to test. If the game supports PlayStation controller input, it may show PlayStation button prompts instead of Xbox prompts. If the controller no longer works, or the game stops detecting it correctly, go back into DS4Windows and change the emulation type back to Xbox 360 Controller.
For most games, I still recommend Xbox 360 emulation because it has better compatibility. PS4 controller emulation is mostly useful for specific games that support PlayStation controllers natively and display PlayStation icons properly.
In this video:
• How to show PlayStation buttons on PC
• How to change DS4Windows from Xbox 360 to PS4 emulation
• How to use DualShock 4 output in DS4Windows
• How to get PlayStation button prompts in supported games
• How to edit your DS4Windows controller profile
• Where to find the Other settings tab
• How to change the virtual controller type
• Why PlayStation prompts do not work in every game
• Why Xbox 360 emulation is still better for most PC games
• How to undo the change if your controller stops working
• How to switch DS4Windows back to Xbox 360 emulation
#DS4Windows #PS4Controller #PlayStationButtons
