WMR is now officially deprecated

[Belzebub]

"Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta." (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features)
Am I understanding this correct, that any WMR headset will stop working in the near future rendering the hardware basically useless? Or are there any plans to keep them working?

[Chillidoge]

I'm late to the party but having learned about this today I found the following links, I hope they provide a bit of clarity on the situation for someone in future:

HP Statement on deprecation of WMR features and their impact/workaround
https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/ish_10013170-10013236-16

"HP Virtual Reality Headsets - Windows Mixed Reality to be removed from future versions of Windows
On December 2023, Microsoft announced that Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed from future versions of the Windows operating system. Microsoft updates and support for Windows Mixed Reality will end starting in November 2026.

To view the announcement, see Deprecated features for Windows client.

HP Reverb G2, HP Reverb, and HP Windows Mixed Reality virtual reality headsets require Windows Mixed Reality, which is a feature of current Windows operating system versions. These virtual reality headsets cannot function without the Windows Mixed Reality feature.

To continue use of HP virtual reality headsets, a Windows 11 23H2 or earlier version must remain on the host computer."

Microsoft lists WMR as a deprecated feature:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features

"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.

This deprecation doesn't affect HoloLens. We remain committed to HoloLens and our enterprise customers."

So, from what I can tell there are some limited/janky workarounds unless some absolute freakin' legend comes along and jailbreaks WMR somehow.

I'm not sure about anyone else but here in Australia we can request the ACCC look into things like this, so there may be hope yet. Europe may also have some ability to ask questions about this, but your local Government representative probably won't do much if you don't send a few polite E-mails asking them to look into it.

Very strange turn of events where hardware that isn't even 7 years old is made obsolete due to a software update, seems more and more common these days. Just got my G2 working on my new PC as well, what a shame

[CHINZIG]

Автор сообщения: Chillidoge

I'm late to the party but having learned about this today I found the following links, I hope they provide a bit of clarity on the situation for someone in future:

HP Statement on deprecation of WMR features and their impact/workaround
https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/ish_10013170-10013236-16

"HP Virtual Reality Headsets - Windows Mixed Reality to be removed from future versions of Windows
On December 2023, Microsoft announced that Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed from future versions of the Windows operating system. Microsoft updates and support for Windows Mixed Reality will end starting in November 2026.

To view the announcement, see Deprecated features for Windows client.

HP Reverb G2, HP Reverb, and HP Windows Mixed Reality virtual reality headsets require Windows Mixed Reality, which is a feature of current Windows operating system versions. These virtual reality headsets cannot function without the Windows Mixed Reality feature.

To continue use of HP virtual reality headsets, a Windows 11 23H2 or earlier version must remain on the host computer."

Microsoft lists WMR as a deprecated feature:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features

"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.

This deprecation doesn't affect HoloLens. We remain committed to HoloLens and our enterprise customers."

So, from what I can tell there are some limited/janky workarounds unless some absolute freakin' legend comes along and jailbreaks WMR somehow.

I'm not sure about anyone else but here in Australia we can request the ACCC look into things like this, so there may be hope yet. Europe may also have some ability to ask questions about this, but your local Government representative probably won't do much if you don't send a few polite E-mails asking them to look into it.

Very strange turn of events where hardware that isn't even 7 years old is made obsolete due to a software update, seems more and more common these days. Just got my G2 working on my new PC as well, what a shame

It's a bloody waste of our money. Even the Rift S is still a great headset and there are little to no replacement parts anymore.

[rhylos]

Sad day

[DmAnd]

If they are going to completely abandon it then they should release the code to github so the community can just make some app like meta pc app.

Plus i'm sure if the community got a hold of the code, they would make WMR so much better

[acefondu]

Yep, I'm still annoyed by this. I replaced my G2 with a Quest 3, but man...I really don't like the battery tradeoff relying on battery power for Quest, and the input lag is annoying for some games. G2 was pretty seamless, though you'd have to find community controller layouts for lots of games. But a dedicated Display Port solution is still the best. I was hoping the PSVR2 would be a great replacement, but it has issues with throwing objects. Some kind of accelleration issue...really ruins a lot of games. Almost perfect, hopefully a software update fixes it.

[InvaderZim]

The writing has been on the wall since before the G2 was even released. Stores stopped carrying WMR devices years ago. The cliff house has never been updated - it still has the Superhot demo in it last I looked. I doubt it will be open sourced, because some of the algorithms related to inside-out tracking are probably still protected IP. I've just ordered a Pimax Crystal Light, which seems to be what all the flight simmers are going with.

[VoodooRocket]

Once again, it seems people are surprised as the industry introduces something, milks it for a few years, starts to ignore it where it less and less usable, and then completely ignored forcing users to stop their pc from updating in order to utilize something they desire or need. And when people complain, there is a group of people attacking them as if the updates cannot be done if it means keeping that older compatibility. Just look at the history. 3dfx Voodoo, Gameports, EAX, SLI / Crossfire, WMVR, physical media old security, and on and on...

[VoodooRocket]

Автор сообщения: 2⊛2

Remember of Windows 7. Since 2020 no normal user able to use its features.

Soon Windows 10 will removed by Microsoft too.
And when Windows 11 is removed WMR will die and all the WMR-Headsets in the same moment.

We need WMR for LINUX. And remove the M$-Company in their own way :P

Unfortunately, Linux is too splintered between the different base distros and the "distros" (which are merely compilations) causing compatibility issues from one to the other to including differences in versions of the same "distro". And Linux also makes changes (at a slower rate) to quit supporting older tech too. This is why many of us run extremely old versions of what they like. I wished "Linux" spent more time collaborating instead of the petty fighting such as so many of them actively discriminating instead of just hiring the best person for the tasking. Unfortunately, that will never really happen as the Linux community has strong feelings that override everything else it seems.

[tyl0413]

Автор сообщения: VoodooRocket

Автор сообщения: 2⊛2

Remember of Windows 7. Since 2020 no normal user able to use its features.

Soon Windows 10 will removed by Microsoft too.
And when Windows 11 is removed WMR will die and all the WMR-Headsets in the same moment.

We need WMR for LINUX. And remove the M$-Company in their own way :P

Unfortunately, Linux is too splintered between the different base distros and the "distros" (which are merely compilations) causing compatibility issues from one to the other to including differences in versions of the same "distro". And Linux also makes changes (at a slower rate) to quit supporting older tech too. This is why many of us run extremely old versions of what they like. I wished "Linux" spent more time collaborating instead of the petty fighting such as so many of them actively discriminating instead of just hiring the best person for the tasking. Unfortunately, that will never really happen as the Linux community has strong feelings that override everything else it seems.

Its the only way forward, and it can only get better if people are willing to put up with some inconveniences right now and actually use it, report bugs, etc so that they are worked out, many of the things that do not work as well as they should are because they are quite niche to begin with, like VR, if nobody with VR uses Linux theres not much incentive to fix VR is there.

[Jason Cooper]

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE!
In economics and industrial design, planned obsolescence is the concept of policies planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life or a purposely frail design, so that it becomes obsolete after a certain predetermined period of time upon which it decrementally functions or suddenly ceases to function, or might be perceived as unfashionable. Replace product with anything you like even "human". humans can find ways around anything if they try, critical thinking.

[DmAnd]

Автор сообщения: Jason Cooper

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE!
In economics and industrial design, planned obsolescence is the concept of policies planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life or a purposely frail design, so that it becomes obsolete after a certain predetermined period of time upon which it decrementally functions or suddenly ceases to function, or might be perceived as unfashionable. Replace product with anything you like even "human". humans can find ways around anything if they try, critical thinking.

A.K.A..... Capitalism

[Jason Cooper]

Автор сообщения: DmAnd

Автор сообщения: Jason Cooper

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE!
In economics and industrial design, planned obsolescence is the concept of policies planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life or a purposely frail design, so that it becomes obsolete after a certain predetermined period of time upon which it decrementally functions or suddenly ceases to function, or might be perceived as unfashionable. Replace product with anything you like even "human". humans can find ways around anything if they try, critical thinking.

A.K.A..... Capitalism

WATCH "THE CENTURY OF LIFE" You will see how they all do it, and who the evil bastard was that worked it out and showed them.

[@R+5]

Автор сообщения: MarcosFelipe94

I found this
https://docs.realmlist.eu/tutorials/retaining-windows-mixed-reality-support-on-windows-11

So not completely unusable, however no clue how we are going to play the SteamVR games without "wmr for SteamVR". I wonder if we are really screwed...

everyone should avoid w11 considering copilot and other nasty features.

maybe windows mixed reality can remain working under linux. maybe theres hope:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/18nu45p/hope_for_wmr_on_linux_controller_track_reverse/

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39324908

[@R+5]

Автор сообщения: DmAnd

Автор сообщения: Jason Cooper

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE!

A.K.A..... Capitalism

not actually.

capitalism is only about how trade works at a very basic level, not about a specific approach or tactic to promote spending through waste of resources. without the rise capitalism, we would still be more or less in the middle ages technologically and culturally.

is erroneous and misleading to use things that mean entirely different things as synonyms, and the reason that happens often is ignorance and or malice, to promote a "better alternative" that actually doesnt exist (the only "alternatives" to capitalism, are those that enhance authoritarian and totalitarian views, which also are ok with "planned obsolescence" wasteful model).

ironically, is capitalism what has helped to keep alive the lies, false beliefs and myths promoted by socialists and communists (which are basically the same thing, with minor differences in how they want to do their totalitarian anti-human worlds)

also, what most people believe "free market" is, is often based in lies and misconceptions (often pushed by "socialistoids" and supporters of "globalism"). as long as few people can hijack how markets and govs work thorugh abusive regulations, economic scams, that are meant to help a minority, rather than all "consumers" as well as traders and sellers, is erroneous to call that "free market". unlike communism, free market irl has never been allowed to happen, because it would lead to decreasing the power and influence of those minorities with enough control and influence over the rest.

[DmAnd]

Автор сообщения: @R+5

Автор сообщения: DmAnd

A.K.A..... Capitalism

not actually.

capitalism is only about how trade works at a very basic level, not about a specific approach or tactic to promote spending through waste of resources. without the rise capitalism, we would still be more or less in the middle ages technologically and culturally.

is erroneous and misleading to use things that mean entirely different things as synonyms, and the reason that happens often is ignorance and or malice, to promote a "better alternative" that actually doesnt exist (the only "alternatives" to capitalism, are those that enhance authoritarian and totalitarian views, which also are ok with "planned obsolescence" wasteful model).

ironically, is capitalism what has helped to keep alive the lies, false beliefs and myths promoted by socialists and communists (which are basically the same thing, with minor differences in how they want to do their totalitarian anti-human worlds)

also, what most people believe "free market" is, is often based in lies and misconceptions (often pushed by "socialistoids" and supporters of "globalism"). as long as few people can hijack how markets and govs work thorugh abusive regulations, economic scams, that are meant to help a minority, rather than all "consumers" as well as traders and sellers, is erroneous to call that "free market". unlike communism, free market irl has never been allowed to happen, because it would lead to decreasing the power and influence of those minorities with enough control and influence over the rest.

True.
This is what i would have said if i was not so lazy... or if i knew what i was actually talking about.