Quick Answer: You can buy a Windows Mixed Reality ready PC or headset at an approved local retailer or online from different retailers, including the Microsoft Store. Find a Windows Mixed Reality ready PC or headset online: https://www.microsoft.com/mixed-reality/windows-mixed-reality?rtc=1
Quick Answer: You can try Windows Mixed Reality at a Microsoft Reactor near you.
Quick Answer: Headsets and motion controllers are currently available from HP. See https://www.microsoft.com/mixed-reality/windows-mixed-reality?rtc=1
Quick Answer: Unfortunately, we’re not aware of any retailers selling standalone motion controllers at this time.
Quick Answer: Details about Windows Mixed Reality PCs and Ultra PCs are captured here: https://aka.ms/mrcompat
Quick Answer: Mixed Reality refers to the full spectrum of spatial computing, from augmented reality and holograms to virtual reality. Windows Mixed Reality platform supports devices across Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). We currently support two device types with similar technology on that spectrum: HoloLens (AR) and Windows Mixed Reality (VR) headsets with motion controllers.
Learn more about Mixed Reality here: </windows/mixed-reality/mixed-reality>
Quick Answer: Windows Mixed Reality headsets feature inside-out tracking (tracking cameras are in the headset) and plug-and-play setup with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
More detail: Windows Mixed Reality offers several features, including easy setup (no need for external sensors to track you and your controllers), your choice of headsets to meet your comfort and price-point, headsets that have competitive resolutions, and finally a unique user experience that features a spatial interface, which allows you to use thousands of apps from the Microsoft Store.
Quick Answer: No, the inside-out cameras on Windows Mixed Reality headsets are used for positional tracking only. Windows Mixed Reality headsets are occluded, meaning that they are for Virtual Reality and don’t provide a view of the real world or Augmented Reality.
Inside-out tracking Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest, and Vive/Index systems use inside-out tracking. With inside-out tracking cameras are built into the headset and track changes in the environment to determine the headset’s position based on the environment as you move around. Some systems, such as the HTC Vive and Valve Index, use infrared sensors instead of cameras and depend on external “lighthouses” or “base stations” that project infrared light to track their environment.
Outside-in tracking Systems such as the Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR use outside-in tracking. With outside-in tracking, the headset is tracked by one or more external devices. Camera(s) are built into those external devices, placed around the environment and are used to determine the position of the headset based on the environment.
Find out more about inside-out tracking.
Like the headsets, the Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers require no setup of external tracking sensors. Instead, the controllers are tracked by sensors in the headset itself. If the user moves the controllers out of the headset’s field of view, in most cases Windows will continue to infer controller positions and provide them to the app. When the controller has lost visual tracking for long enough, the controller’s positions will drop to approximate-accuracy positions. At this point, the system will body-lock the controller to the user, tracking the user’s position as they move around, while still exposing the controller’s true orientation using its internal orientation sensors. Many apps that use controllers to point at and activate UI elements can operate normally while in approximate accuracy without the user even noticing. The best way to get a feel for this is to try it yourself.
Quick Answer: All smartphone-based VR products, including the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream, use three Degrees Of Freedom (3DOF) head position tracking systems. 3DOF based systems allow you to move your head only from the neck up in the virtual world. Windows MR on the other hand uses a six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) head and controllers position tracking systems. 6DOF based systems allow you to move your entire body in the virtual world; so you can walk around an object and see it from different perspectives, just like you can in the physical world. The Rift and the Vive are also 6DOF based systems.
| Headset | Resolution | Display | Refresh Rate | FOV | Audio | Bluetooth | IPD Adjustment | Release Date | More info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer AH101 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 100˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | Acer |
| Acer OJO 500 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 100˚ | Integrated + 3.5-mm jack | Built-in | Mechanical | Fall 2018 | Acer |
| ASUS HC102 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 95˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | ASUS |
| Dell Visor | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | Dell |
| Fujitsu FMV Headset | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | Fujitsu |
| HP Reverb | 4320x2160 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 114˚ | Integrated + 3.5-mm jack | Built-in | Software | Spring 2019 | HP |
| HP VR1000 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | HP |
| HP Reverb G2 | 2x 2160x2160 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 107° | Integrated | Built-in | Mechanical | Fall 2020 | HP |
| HP Reverb G2 Omnicept | 2x 2160x2160 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 107° | Integrated | Built-in | Mechanical | Spring 2021 | HP |
| Lenovo Explorer | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | Lenovo |
| Medion ERAZER MR X1000 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | Medion |
| Samsung HMD Odyssey | 2880x1600 | AMOLED | Up to 90 Hz | 110˚ | Integrated | None | Mechanical | Fall 2017 | Samsung |
| Samsung HMD Odyssey+ | 2880x1600 | AMOLED | Up to 90 Hz | 110˚ | Integrated | Built-in | Mechanical | Fall 2018 | Samsung |
| 3Glasses Blubur S2 | 2880x1440 | LCD | Up to 90 Hz | 105˚ | 3.5-mm jack | None | Software | Fall 2017 | 3Glasses |
Technical details listed above are referenced from manufacturer specifications and are subject to change.
Quick Answer: No, the inside-out cameras are used for positional tracking only. Windows Mixed Reality headsets are occluded.
Quick Answer: Depending on the headset, some mixed reality headsets feature mechanical IPD adjustment. Other headsets feature software IPD adjustment, which improves image distortion and depth accuracy based on your IPD. Users can set their custom IPD via Settings > Mixed Reality > Headset display > Calibration.
Quick Answer: No, the Windows Mixed Reality Headsets don’t have eye relief adjustment.
Quick Answer: We have found that there’s no interference with motion controllers but you should give users enough room for the best experience in mixed reality - for example, 10 feet x 10 feet.
Quick Answer: Windows Mixed Reality allows you to set up a boundary. Also, some of the Windows MR headsets have a front hinged display, so you can flip the headset up while working.
Quick Answer: A good general rule is if you can’t confidently move around the room because it’s too dark, the tracking system will also have a hard time working in that environment.
Quick Answer: Typically the cable length of Windows Mixed Reality Headsets is 4 meters but it depends on the Headset. For more details, check out: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/collections/vrandmixedrealityheadsets
Quick Answer: We have designed Windows Mixed Reality to work without extension cords. Use of extension cords with mixed reality headset is unsupported and use may impact your experience.
Quick Answer: You can find the minimum specs here or you can download and run Mixed Reality Portal to see if your PC will work with Windows Mixed Reality.
Quick Answer: No, Windows Mixed Reality only works with PCs. Download and run Mixed Reality Portal to see if your PC is WMR ready.
Quick Answer: The full list of badged PCs hasn’t been published yet, but will be later this year. Download and run Mixed Reality Portal to see if your PC is WMR ready.
Quick Answer: You must have Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) or greater, or Windows 11 installed. Download and run Mixed Reality Portal to see if your PC is WMR ready.
Quick Answer: Windows Mixed Reality will only work with approved Windows Mixed Reality headsets / controllers. See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/virtualreality
Quick Answer: Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers use Bluetooth. Depending on the headset, the motion controllers are either paired to the Bluetooth radio on the headset (if equipped), or to the Bluetooth radio on your PC.
Quick Answer: Yes, Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers will work on all Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
Quick Answer: If your PC doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth support, you’ll need to plug in a USB Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 4.0 to enable your motion controllers.
Quick Answer: The minimum supported specification for Windows Mixed Reality is Bluetooth 4.0. If your PC has Bluetooth 3.1, you won’t be blocked from using the controllers, but the best experience is on BT 4.0. Download and run Mixed Reality Portal to see if your PC is WMR ready.
Quick Answer: No, Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers don’t work with HoloLens.
Quick Answer: No, Windows Mixed Reality will only work with approved headsets / controllers. See https://www.microsoft.com/store/collections/VRandMixedrealityheadsets
Quick Answer: No, Windows Mixed Reality will only work with approved headsets / controllers. See https://www.microsoft.com/store/collections/VRandMixedrealityheadsets
Quick Answer: Yes, it will work with a wireless Xbox adapter (no Bluetooth required).
Quick Answer: Yes, you can wear a Windows Mixed Reality headset both with and without glasses.
Quick Answer: Within a Windows Mixed Reality headset, you can multitask with Windows UWP apps like Mail & Calendar and access full Win32 apps that are running on your desktop using the Desktop Preview app.
Quick Answer: You can’t see your physical keyboard from the headset, but you can use our software keyboard. Additionally, many Windows Mixed Reality headsets have a front hinged display, so you can flip the headset up while working. More details: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-mixed-reality#specs
Quick Answer: We expect that most immersive, Windows Mixed Reality applications will choose to support motion controllers, but it isn’t a requirement. Motion controller support is up to the developers of the experience. It’s up to the developer to decide what mode of input they want to support in their game. You can see which controller types are supported on a particular game or app’s product detail page in the Store.
Quick Answer: Yes, streaming a game from an Xbox requires an Xbox controller, just as it would if you were sitting at the console.
Quick Answer: Yes, Windows Mixed Reality will work even if you don’t have much room. You can set this during setup by selecting the “desk-scale” experience.
Quick Answer: Windows Mixed Reality is compatible with the SteamVR library and with content available in the Microsoft store. Look for the Windows Mixed Reality logo on Steam for game compatibility.
Quick Answer: Vive headsets aren’t compatible with Windows Mixed Reality.
Quick Answer: You can play all your favorite Xbox One games in Windows Mixed Reality using the streaming feature of the Xbox app for Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can resize the app inside the Windows Mixed Reality home to fill the wall. To learn how to set up Xbox One game streaming, you can check out our instructions here: http://support.xbox.com/games/game-setup/how-to-use-game-streaming
Quick Answer: You can run SteamVR with the Ultra PC requirements for Windows Mixed Reality. However, we recommend running the SteamVR Preview on a PC with a GTX 1070 video card (or better) and an Intel Core i7 processor. We’re continuing to review feedback and optimize the performance to support additional system configurations in future updates. Your PC won’t be blocked from running Windows Mixed Reality SteamVR if you don’t meet these higher specs, however, this will impact the performance and quality of the overall experience.
Quick Answer: Our intent is to support as wide a range of Steam games as possible, but keep in mind that Steam games can take dependencies on specific hardware and controller configurations based on the game developer’s decisions during development.