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Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) discontinuation

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Contents4
  1. Discontinuation of service
  2. Customer response
  3. Work-arounds
  4. References

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Microsoft discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR)[1] starting with the 24H2 release of Windows 11.[2] All users who have installed this version or later can no longer use their devices. Microsoft had the drivers built into the operating system and later removed them, citing maintenance issues. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the 24H2 update from being installed.[3] This affects device models from manufacturers including Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Dell, and Microsoft.

Discontinuation of service

UploadVR contacted Microsoft and a company representative provided the following official statement:

"As of Nov 1, 2026 for consumers and Nov 1, 2027 for commercial customers, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer be available for download via the Mixed Reality portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta, and we will discontinue support. At that time, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates."[4]

Microsoft has since updated the official Windows Deprecated features for Windows client web page with a more complete statement:

"Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in Windows 11, version 24H2. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, 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. After November 2026, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, nonsecurity updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates."[5]

This, however, is misleading since the required Windows 11 version 23H2 itself will no longer be supported and receive security updates after 11 November 2025[6] - and user would have to run such OS for the device to continue working.

Microsoft's HoloLens ran Windows Mixed Reality so once it was deprecated, many speculated that HoloLens would be discontinued.[citation needed] HoloLens 2 production stopped in October 2024.[7] It was subsequently announced that the consumer and business divisions of HoloLens are now headed towards end of life in 2028 due to a shift in focus to the defense industry per the following statement provided to The Verge by Microsoft CVP of Mixed Reality Robin Seiler:

"We are transitioning away from hardware development but will continue to provide support for HoloLens2 hardware and software through 2027, as announced in October. We remain committed to the IVAS program and will shift our focus to cloud and AI technologies, which will serve as the foundation for IVAS as a situational awareness platform."[8]

HoloLens 1 was officially deprecated in December 2024 following entering LTS on 13 November 2021.[9]

Customer response

This section is incomplete. This notice can be deleted once all the placeholder text has been replaced.

Work-arounds

These headsets are working on Linux distributions using the monado/opencomposite vr stack. Envision is an application that will compile and run the required apps to get everything working. More information can be found on the LVRA website and Discord. As it is still in-development software, there will be bugs and, depending on VR set, not all functionality may be implemented yet. However, as it is open source software, it is constantly being improved.

References

  1. ↑ Heaney, David (1 Oct 2024). "Windows Mixed Reality Headsets No Longer Function With Latest Windows 11 Update". UploadVR. Archived from the original on 1 Oct 2024. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  2. ↑ Heaney, David (21 Dec 2023). "Microsoft Is Killing Windows Mixed Reality, Will Remove Support For It From Windows". UploadVR. Archived from the original on 21 Dec 2023. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  3. ↑ VR Flight Sim Guy (10 Feb 2024). "DO NOT Update Windows 11 IF you have a REVERB G2! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! How to Guide | MSFS, DCS". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  4. ↑ Heaney, David (21 Dec 2023). "Microsoft Explains What Will Happen To Windows Mixed Reality Headsets". UploadVR. Archived from the original on 22 Dec 2023. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  5. ↑ "Deprecated features for Windows client". Microsoft. January 2024. Archived from the original on 6 Jan 2024. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  6. ↑ "Windows 11 Home and Pro Support Dates". Microsoft. 12 Mar 2025. Archived from the original on 29 Dec 2025. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  7. ↑ Heaney, David (1 Oct 2024). "Microsoft Is Discontinuing HoloLens 2, With No Replacement". UploadVR. Archived from the original on 1 Oct 2024. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  8. ↑ Paoli, Chris (14 Feb 2025). "Microsoft Makes it Official: HoloLens is Dead". Redmond. Archived from the original on 18 Feb 2025. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
  9. ↑ "Windows Holographic, version 24H1 - December 2024 Update". Microsoft. 27 Jun 2024. Archived from the original on 26 Dec 2024. Retrieved 14 Feb 2026.
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