Microsoft has been deprecating a lot of features on Windows 11 this year. The latest feature Microsoft is retiring is Windows Mixed Reality. Users will no longer be able to use Windows Mixed Reality, Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta in the future updates of Windows.
Microsoft to discontinue Windows Mixed Reality
Windows Mixed Reality allows us to use dedicated headsets to get an immersive experience with the programs and games on Windows. It provides a gateway for VR headsets on the Windows environment like Oculus, etc. Microsoft has been on a spree of deprecating the features on Windows. Earlier they announced the deprecation of WordPad, Steps Recorder, Tips, Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office, etc. It is now the time for Windows Mixed Reality to be deprecated.
Microsft added Windows Mixed Reality to the list of features to be deprecated in future updates on Windows in its blog post. Users will not be able to access or use the Windows Mixed Reality feature in the future release of Windows. They include the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta.
The features will not be available to consumers for use starting from November 1, 2026, and November 1, 2027, for commercial consumers. Users cannot download the Windows Mixed Reality app using the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta. Microsoft will discontinue support to these apps which includes security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.
Along with Windows Mixed Reality, Microsoft will also deprecate Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Edge, Legacy console mode and Windows speech recognition.
