InputMapper on Windows 11: What Works, What Breaks
InputMapper’s final build dates from May 2020 — more than a year before Windows 11 launched. It still runs on Windows 11, but honestly: it was never officially supported there. This hub collects everything we know.
The Short Answer
Yes, InputMapper 1.7.7452.13622 runs on Windows 11 for most users — our setup guide works as written. But set expectations correctly: the build is from May 2020, Windows 11 arrived in October 2021, and the developers never released a Windows 11 update. “Runs on” is not “supported on”, and this page exists to document the difference.
What Still Works
- Mapping a DualShock 4 or DS4 V2 to a virtual Xbox 360 controller (via ViGEmBus 1.22.0, the final driver release).
- Profiles, macros, touchpad-as-mouse, and lightbar/rumble settings — all unchanged from Windows 10.
- Xbox 360/One controllers and generic DirectInput devices as inputs, exactly as on Windows 10.
- Modern companion tooling: HidHide v1.5.230 is built for Windows 10/11 and replaces the legacy hiding stack.
What Breaks (and the Fixes)
- Stopped working after the Windows 11 upgrade — the symptom-by-symptom fix list.
- Exclusive mode failures — more common on Windows 11’s HID handling; the fix order matters.
- Double input — solve it with HidHide, not with the legacy HidGuardian stack.
- HidGuardian anxiety — the old kernel filter driver is the wrong tool on Windows 11; migrate instead.
- “Virtual bus not found” — usually an old ViGEmBus or Scp leftover conflicting with 1.22.0.
The Correct Windows 11 Driver Order
- Remove legacy stacks first if present (ScpToolkit/ScpVBus, HidGuardian) — see the legacy risks guide.
- Install ViGEmBus 1.22.0 from GitHub and reboot.
- Install HidHide if you play games that read both controllers.
- Install InputMapper last, from the download page, and verify the checksum.
When to Switch Instead
If your controller is a DualSense, InputMapper is simply the wrong tool — its final build predates that controller entirely. The same goes for the Switch Pro Controller. For those, DS4Windows (current maintained line) or Steam Input are the working routes, and our InputMapper vs DS4Windows comparison explains the trade-offs honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is InputMapper officially supported on Windows 11?
No. The final build (1.7.7452.13622) was built in May 2020, before Windows 11 existed, and no update ever followed. It runs on Windows 11 in practice, but that is community experience, not official support.
Which ViGEmBus version should I use on Windows 11?
ViGEmBus 1.22.0, the final release, downloaded from the official nefarius GitHub releases. Do not use driver download sites or the old vigem.org domain, which was handed over when the project retired.
Should I install HidGuardian on Windows 11?
No. HidGuardian is a legacy research driver from 2016-2018 that was archived in favour of HidHide. On Windows 11, use HidHide v1.5.230 to hide your physical controller and prevent double input.