About InputMapper
An independent resource dedicated to helping gamers get the most out of InputMapper — the free, open-source controller mapping tool for Windows.
What Is InputMapper?
InputMapper is a free, open-source controller mapping application for Windows that lets you use DualShock 4 (DS4), DualSense, Xbox, and other game controllers on your PC with full customization. It translates controller input into XInput or keyboard/mouse signals, making virtually any controller compatible with any PC game.
Whether you prefer the feel of a PlayStation controller but play mostly on PC, or you need to remap buttons for accessibility, InputMapper gives you complete control over how your gamepad communicates with Windows. It handles everything from basic button remapping to advanced features like stick dead zone tuning, macro creation, and profile management.
History and Development
InputMapper has a long history rooted in the PC gaming community. Here is how the project evolved over the years:
The story begins with DS4Windows, created by Jays2Kings. This was one of the first tools to make the DualShock 4 work properly on Windows PCs. It allowed basic button mapping and touchpad support, giving PS4 controller owners a way to game on PC without buying a separate Xbox controller.
Developer DSDCS (also known as JoshWobbles) forked the DS4Windows codebase and began building what would become InputMapper. The goal was to expand beyond just DualShock 4 support and create a more versatile, feature-rich controller mapping tool that could handle multiple controller types.
InputMapper gained its own identity with major new features: multi-controller support, advanced button remapping, custom profiles per game, macro support, and a more polished interface. It also integrated ViGEm (Virtual Gamepad Emulation Framework) for better XInput emulation, which meant smoother and more reliable controller translation at the driver level.
A key technical milestone was deep integration with ViGEm, created by Nefarius. This allowed InputMapper to create virtual Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers at the system level, resulting in near-universal game compatibility. HidGuardian support was also added to prevent double-input issues where both the real and virtual controller were detected by games.
Active development by the original developer slowed around 2019-2020. The official InputMapper website is no longer maintained. However, the project remains available on GitHub, and the community continues to use InputMapper as a reliable tool for controller mapping. The software still works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and community members contribute occasional fixes and workarounds.
What InputMapper Does
InputMapper provides a wide range of features for controller users on Windows:
- Controller translation: Maps DualShock 4, DualSense, and other controllers to XInput (Xbox) signals so games recognize them natively
- Custom button remapping: Reassign any button, trigger, or stick to any other input, including keyboard and mouse actions
- Per-game profiles: Create different control configurations for different games and switch between them easily
- Macro support: Record and assign multi-step input sequences to a single button press
- Touchpad support: Use the DualShock 4 touchpad as a mouse pointer or assign it custom actions
- Lightbar customization: Change the DS4 lightbar color, set battery-level indicators, or create custom patterns
- Dead zone adjustment: Fine-tune analog stick and trigger dead zones for more precise control
- Bluetooth and USB: Supports both wired (USB) and wireless (Bluetooth) controller connections
The Developer and Community
InputMapper was created and primarily developed by DSDCS, also known as JoshWobbles in the gaming community. The project is hosted on GitHub at github.com/InputMapper, where the source code remains publicly available.
The ViGEm framework, which InputMapper depends on for virtual controller emulation, was developed by Benjamin Hoeglinger-Stelzer (Nefarius). This collaboration between independent developers shows how the open-source community comes together to solve real problems for PC gamers.
Over the years, InputMapper built a dedicated user base of gamers who prefer PlayStation controllers on PC, accessibility-focused users who need custom remapping, and competitive players who want precise control over their input settings.
Community Impact
InputMapper made a real difference for PC gamers who felt left out by the Xbox-centric controller ecosystem on Windows. Before tools like InputMapper, using a DualShock 4 on PC was either impossible or required unstable workarounds. InputMapper gave users a proper, configurable solution.
The project also contributed to the broader ecosystem of controller mapping tools. Ideas and technical approaches pioneered by InputMapper influenced later tools like DS4Windows (the Ryochan7 fork), DualSenseX, and Steam Input’s controller configuration system.
For accessibility, InputMapper’s remapping and macro features allowed users with limited mobility to customize their controllers to match their specific needs, making more games playable for more people.
About This Website
input-mapper.com is an independently operated website created as a resource for people looking to download, install, and learn about InputMapper. Since the official InputMapper website is no longer maintained, we aim to fill that gap by providing accurate, up-to-date information about the software.
Disclosure: This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to DSDCS, JoshWobbles, or the InputMapper project. We are an independent third-party resource. All download links point to official sources such as the InputMapper GitHub repository. Trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners.
Our site provides:
- Clear download links to the latest available InputMapper release
- Step-by-step installation and setup guides
- System requirements and compatibility information
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Feature overviews and usage tips
We built this website because we believe InputMapper remains a valuable tool for PC gamers, and good information about it should be easy to find.
Contact
If you have questions, feedback, or concerns about this website, please visit our Contact page.
For issues related to the InputMapper software itself, we recommend visiting the InputMapper GitHub repository and opening an issue there. The developer and community are the best source for technical support.