system
A chat on subreddit /r/pcmasterrace
human
If it's useful for you; DS4Windows will allow you to use the controller without using steam. It is another app running but it serves me well for emulators. Got my steering wheel running on my emulators using this too
gpt
I swear everyone else has to be doing something weird.

I use a PS5 dual sense with my PC. I don't use ds4windows, I don't us ANY extra software. I just connect it via Bluetooth and it natively works with Windows. It even works with my emulators. 

I don't need steam on, I don't need software or drivers to run it, I just hit the power button and it automatically connects and works seemlesly. I swear I'm the only person in this sub that has 0 problems using a Sony controller on PC.

Edit: also bonus points for 8bitdo USB adapter so any Bluetooth controller can get a solid connection to your PC. Yes Xbox will be built into your PC because Microsoft. But PS controllers are finally a fantastic, easy option on PC.