What's Going on with Window Mixed Reality in Windows 24H2 and How to Keep Your Headset Going!

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their sadness about the upcoming discontinuation of Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) by Microsoft. As a long-time supporter of WMR, the creator reflects on its potential, the company's lack of follow-through, and the loss of key technologies to Meta. With Windows 11 24H2 set to remove support for WMR, the creator explains how to stay on Windows 11 23H2 to maintain functionality until 2026. They also touch on how Windows 10 users will continue to have access to WMR. The video offers practical steps to keep using WMR while acknowledging its eventual decline.

Takeaways

• 😀 Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) is being deprecated by Microsoft and will be removed from Windows 11 starting with version 24H2.
• 😀 Microsoft originally led the way with Windows Mixed Reality technology, but they have shifted focus to Meta's VR platforms.
• 😀 Windows 10 users can continue to use WMR without issue as Microsoft will stop providing new updates after feature version 22H2.
• 😀 Users on Windows 11 version 23H2 can continue using WMR until November 2026, with updates and security fixes available during this period.
• 😀 After November 2026, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or support for Windows Mixed Reality.
• 😀 Windows 11 Pro users can use Group Policy Editor to lock their system to version 23H2 and prevent it from automatically updating to 24H2.
• 😀 Windows 11 Home users need to manually install the Group Policy Editor to lock their version to 23H2 and prevent automatic updates.
• 😀 To install Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 Home, users must run specific commands through a terminal or command prompt.
• 😀 The steps provided help users maintain access to Windows Mixed Reality until at least 2026, even though Microsoft is phasing it out.
• 😀 The presenter expresses disappointment over Microsoft's abandonment of WMR, despite its significant potential for both VR and AR applications.
• 😀 The video ends with hope for future innovative headsets and the potential for new technology in the VR/AR space after WMR's phase-out.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video?

The main issue is the deprecation of Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) by Microsoft, which will be removed from Windows 11 starting with version 24H2.

Why is the creator upset about Windows Mixed Reality being deprecated?

The creator is upset because they believe WMR had great potential as a leader in the VR and AR space but Microsoft abandoned it despite its promising features.

How will Windows Mixed Reality be affected in Windows 11 version 24H2?

In Windows 11 version 24H2, Windows Mixed Reality will be completely removed, meaning the WMR portal and support for SteamVR will no longer be available.

What is the timeline for continued support for Windows Mixed Reality?

Windows Mixed Reality will continue to be supported on Windows 11 version 23H2 until November 2026. After that, there will be no more updates or fixes, though it will still function.

What happens to Windows Mixed Reality support if a user stays on Windows 10?

Windows Mixed Reality will continue to work on Windows 10 as long as the user stays on version 22H2, since Microsoft has stopped releasing new versions for Windows 10 after this point.

How can Windows 11 users avoid updating to version 24H2 and losing Windows Mixed Reality?

Windows 11 Pro users can use the Group Policy Editor to lock their system to version 23H2, preventing automatic updates to version 24H2, thus preserving Windows Mixed Reality.

What specific steps are needed to stay on Windows 11 version 23H2 using Group Policy Editor?

Users need to enable the 'Select the target feature update version' policy in the Group Policy Editor and set it to 'Windows 11 23H2' to prevent the update to 24H2.

Can Windows 11 Home users use the Group Policy Editor to block the update to version 24H2?

Windows 11 Home users do not have the Group Policy Editor by default, but they can install it manually using specific terminal commands to then block the update to version 24H2.

What will happen to Windows Mixed Reality after November 2026?

After November 2026, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes from Microsoft, although it may continue to work, it could start breaking down over time with future updates.

What future possibilities does the creator mention for Windows Mixed Reality users?

The creator hopes that new VR/AR headsets, possibly from Meta, will push ahead in innovation and provide a replacement for Windows Mixed Reality, which may eventually be phased out.