Microsoft Is Shuttering Windows' Mixed Reality Program
The VR headset and software division was launched in 2017.
Microsoft will be closing the door on Windows Mixed Reality. The program was launched in 2017 as a division to develop mixed and virtual reality for the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
Windows Mixed Reality was essentially Microsoft’s way of competing with companies working on their own VR headsets, such as Meta’s Oculus. During its operations, the platform put out the Microsoft HoloLens, as well as a second-gen model. The bulk of their activity, however, consisted of developing apps and software that was compatible with other headsets from Dell, Lenovo, Acer, HP and more.
Microsoft announced that Windows Mixed Reality would cease operations in a long list of features being deprecated. Along with the main platform, they’ll be shutting down the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and its Steam VR Beta.
It seems that Microsoft simply wasn’t investing as many resources into the program as competitors like Meta and Apple, and over the years, the technology simply wasn’t as advanced as users expected. Programs are also deprecated when they’re being replaced by other, newer features or handled by a new division, so Windows may be working on mixed reality elsewhere within the company.
