The latest W11 update makes your Windows VR headset unusable
If you still have a Windows Mixed Reality device, beware: The new Windows 11 update will render the VR headsets unusable.
The 24H2 Windows update removes support for Windows Mixed Reality and renders the devices unusable. Users who want to continue using their WMR device will either have to skip the 24H2 update or switch to Windows 10.
Microsoft announced the deprecation of Windows Mixed Reality at the end of 2023. In early 2024, Microsoft noted in a preview build of the 24H2 update that Windows Mixed Reality devices will no longer work with the new W11 update.
"Plugging in to use a Windows Mixed Reality headset will not work starting with this build. Windows Mixed Reality is no longer available to users as Windows Mixed Reality has been announced as deprecated. This includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta. Existing Windows Mixed Reality devices will continue to work with Steam through November 2026, if users remain on their current released version of Windows 11 (version 23H2) and do not upgrade to this year’s annual feature update for Windows 11 (version 24H2)."
The release notes for the 24H2 update do not even mention Windows Mixed Reality.
The end of Windows Mixed Reality on Windows 11 coincides with Microsoft's announcement that it is ending software support for Hololens headsets. With these moves, Microsoft is moving away from the XR hardware business altogether.
The rise and fall of Windows Mixed Reality
With Windows Mixed Reality, Microsoft wanted to conquer the fledgling PC VR market and take market share from Oculus and HTC with cheap devices. The first wave of headsets launched in 2017 and came from manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung. The last WMR device was the HP Reverb G2, which was developed in collaboration with Valve. It was released at the end of 2020.
WMR headsets were the first to introduce inside-out tracking, which is now standard. However, they were disappointing in terms of tracking volume and controller quality. Despite some aggressive pricing, the hardware was not very successful. Today, according to Steam's hardware statistics, around 3.5 percent of all PC VR used headsets are WMR devices.
In the XR space, Microsoft is now focusing on software, working with market leader Meta. The first result of this collaboration are Xbox Cloud Gaming and Office web apps for Meta Quest. A Quest with Xbox branding, volumetric Windows apps and an digital monitor extension have been announced for the future.
Note: Links to online stores in articles can be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED receives a commission from the provider. For you the price does not change.
