title | description | author | ms.author | ms.date | ms.topic | keywords | appliesto | |
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Software overview and release history |
An overview of the major software components for Windows Mixed Reality, immersive headsets, and their release history. |
lolambean |
lolab |
11/19/2021 |
article |
Windows Mixed Reality, Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality, VR, MR, software components, release history, release notes, version history |
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Windows Mixed Reality consists of the following major software components:
- Mixed Reality Portal, which provides the main Windows Mixed Reality experience
- In Windows 10, versions 1709 and 1803: Mixed Reality Portal is a key component of the Windows 10 operating system updated via Windows Update.
- In Windows 10, versions 1809 and newer, and Windows 11: Mixed Reality Portal is updated via the Microsoft Store app. More information can be found on the Get Mixed Reality Portal page.
- The Mixed Reality feature-on-demand package (FOD), automatically downloaded and installed during Mixed Reality Portal's first-run. More information about the FOD package can be found here
- The Mixed Reality headset and motion controller driver, also known as the HoloLens Sensors driver, is the key driver package that enables Windows Mixed Reality headsets to work with Windows Mixed Reality. This is automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update the first time your Mixed Reality headset is plugged in, and is regularly updated via Windows Update
- The Mixed Reality motion controller model drivers contain the 3D models of the Mixed Reality motion controllers and needed for third-party Mixed Reality experiences. This is automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update the first time your Mixed Reality motion controllers are paired to your PC, and is updated via Windows Update
- Windows 10, version 1709 (the Fall Creator's Update) or newer and Windows 11 contain key OS components and technologies that enable Windows Mixed Reality
Using Windows Mixed Reality in SteamVR requires the following software:
- SteamVR, developed and maintained by Valve Corporation that enables virtual reality apps and games on Steam. More information can be found here
- The Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR component, which bridges SteamVR with Windows Mixed Reality. More information about this component can be found on the Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR page
Managing your Windows Mixed Reality headset:
- The Device Companion App, developed and maintained by each of the headset manufacturers, provides a quick introduction to your Windows Mixed Reality headset. On headsets with built-in Bluetooth capability, the Device Companion app enables restoring Motion Controllers to their factory Bluetooth pairing. Some headsets (such as the Samsung Odyssey, and Samsung Odyssey+) also use the Device Companion App to deliver headset firmware updates from the headset manufacturer. This app is downloaded automatically the first time your headset is plugged in and can be found in the Windows Start Menu.
- New virtual home environment for Windows Mixed Reality devices featuring a significant reduction in scope and size, streamlined down to singular stage instead of the more feature-rich Cliffhouse.
- Built with performance in mind, the Infinite Expanse was designed to address long-standing customer requests for a less resource-intensive virtual home environment that allows customers to get the best performance out of their games and experiences.
- This new virtual home environment can be found in the Pins Panel within the Places menu.
- New setting available to automatically launch SteamVR when WMR launches, allowing you to bypass WMR home space and jump directly into SteamVR.
- This new setting can be found in the Settings app under Mixed Reality > Startup and Desktop > Automatic Startup.
- New settings available to better configure your ideal startup experience by increasing your level of control over when Mixed Reality Portal launches.
- You can now control whether or not Mixed Reality Portal launches when a device is connected or when the presence sensor is activated, as well as control how the virtual Desktop app opens.
- These new settings can be found in the Settings app under Mixed Reality > Startup and Desktop
- Toggle to start MRP on HMD plug-in.
- Toggle to start MRP when presence is detected.
- Toggle Open Desktop app on desktop app focus.
Note
Starting on November 22 2021, Windows 10 version 2004 and newer will enable Infinite Expanse, SteamVR boot with Mixed Reality Portal launch, and new startup experience settings currently available for Windows 11.
- Release notes - May 2020
- Release notes - May 2019
- Release notes - October 2018
- Release notes - April 2018
- Release notes - October 2017
- Release notes - August 2016
- Release notes - May 2016
- Release notes - March 2016
This driver is automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update, but download links are provided inline:
Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.19041.2054 | March 23, 2021 | Compatible with Windows 11, Windows 10, version 1903, and newer.
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10.0.19041.2041 | March 23, 2021 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1903, and newer.
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10.0.19041.2037 | December 10, 2020 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1903, and newer.
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10.0.19041.2034 | October 8, 2020 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1903, and newer.
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10.0.19041.1009 | May 7, 2020 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1903, and newer.
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Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.18362.1162 | October 14, 2019 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1809, and newer.
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10.0.18362.1062 | June 24, 2019 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1809, and newer.
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10.0.18362.1024 | May 1, 2019 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1809, and newer.
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Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.17763.1069 | January 2, 2019 | Compatible with Windows 10, version 1803, and newer.
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10.0.17760.1000 | October 1, 2018 | Initial public release of the driver for Windows 10, version 1809. Compatible with Windows 10, version 1803, and newer.
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10.0.17134.1004 | April 27, 2018 | Initial public release of the driver for Windows 10, version 1803
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Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.16299.1070 | February 6, 2018 |
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10.0.16299.1062 | December 19, 2017 |
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10.0.16299.1058 | December 5, 2017 |
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10.0.16299.1042 | November 21, 2017 |
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10.0.16299.1036 | November 7, 2017 |
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10.0.16299.1012 | October 17, 2017 | Initial public release of the driver |
This driver is also automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update, but download links are provided inline:
Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.19041.2034 | September 16, 2020 | Initial public release of the driver for the new HP Motion Controllers. Compatible with Windows 10, version 1903, and newer. This driver is compatible only with new HP Motion Controllers. |
Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.17737.1000 | October 1, 2018 | Initial public release of the driver for Windows 10, version 1809. Compatible with Windows 10, version 1803, and newer. |
10.0.17079.1000 | April 17, 2018 | Initial public release of the driver for Windows 10, version 1803. |
Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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10.0.16291.1000, 10.0.16299.1012 | October 17, 2017 | Initial public release of the driver |
In Windows 10, version 1809 and newer, Mixed Reality Portal is updated via the Microsoft Store app.
Version | Release Date | Major changes |
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2000.21051.1282.0 | June 8, 2021 |
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2000.21041.1051.0 | April 26, 2021 |
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2000.20111.1381.0 | December 10, 2020 |
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2000.20071.1133.0 | August 5, 2020 |
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2000.20041.1212.0 | May 11, 2020 |
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2000.20031.1202.0 | April 14, 2020 |
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2000.20011.1312.0 | February 11, 2020 |
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2000.19101.1211.0 | November 11, 2019 |
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2000.19081.1301.0 | September 23, 2019 |
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2000.19071.1302.0 | August 13, 2019 |
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2000.19061.1011.0 | July 16, 2019 |
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Valve's release notes for SteamVR can be found here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/250820
Our release notes for the Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR component can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/games/719950/announcements/