Microsoft is producing useless VR gear that costs hundreds of dollars.

Immersive virtual reality experiences provided by Microsoft Mixed Reality headsets are disappearing. All of the people who had paid several hundred dollars for VR headsets were abruptly informed that "Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows."The information was obtained from the official Microsoft blog, which highlights some of the deprecated features in Windows 11. A feature is practically rendered outdated when Microsoft designates it as "deprecated." The Mixed Reality Portal app is also affected by this deprecation of the Windows Mixed Reality platform.

Additionally, it has been stated that the SteamVR platform app for Windows Mixed Reality VR Hardware is being deprecated. This does not bode well for Microsoft's Mixed Reality and all of the high-priced VR gear that consumers still use today.

What happens if a user wants to continue using the VR headset for SteamVR gaming but only does not want to utilize the Mixed Reality platform? It seems that the most recent version of Windows 11 will not allow this. In essence, Windows Mixed Reality is being phased out at this time.

As per Microsoft, Windows Mixed Reality "will be removed in a future release of Windows." Therefore, if you own a Windows Mixed Reality VR headset from any manufacturer and use SteamVR, avoid updating to Windows 11.If you do this, your Windows Mixed Reality VR headset will become completely worthless. Naturally, there are hazards associated with not utilizing the most recent version of Windows, but that is currently the case.

SteamVR and Windows Mixed Reality are Still Widely Used by VR Gamers

Many customers will not be happy with Microsoft's abrupt elimination of the Mixed Reality platform in a later Windows release. According to the most recent Steam hardware survey, Windows Mixed Reality VR headsets are used by 5.18% of SteamVR users.Numerous manufacturers that produced different VR gear with varying characteristics were under the umbrella of the Mixed Reality platform. Large OEMs were engaged in this, including Acer, ASUS, Samsung, Dell, , and HP . Even high-end options were available, including the HP Reverb G2 and Samsung Odyssey.In essence, this 5.18% figure reflects all of those people who utilize Mixed Reality VR headsets. It's unclear when or if the Mixed Reality app will be replaced. Will the costly VR gear you purchased become obsolete? As long as you have the Mixed Reality SteamVR program, there ought to still be a method for it to continue functioning.

How to Continue Using SteamVR's Mixed Reality VR Headset After Deprecation

As we previously said, if you want to continue using your Mixed Reality VR headset, do not upgrade Windows. The Mixed Reality setup blog tutorials from Microsoft are still available. The SteamVR app's Windows Mixed Reality version is also available via the Steam Store. It is indicated here that Windows Mixed Reality is compatible with the following operating systems:

Windows 10: Versions 20H2, 21H1, and 21H2.
Windows 11: Versions 21H2 and 22H2.

Stick to the previously listed Windows 10/11 builds if you utilize Windows Mixed Reality . This is still the only method you can continue using your pricey VR headset even if you won't have an upgraded version of Windows.

What Microsoft has done with their Mixed Reality platforms is not something I approve of. As a user of Mixed Reality VR, I paid $300 for the Dell Visor Mixed Reality VR headset. Even with my complaints about the platform and a few other little issues, it was still outstanding, especially considering the cost.How do you feel about Microsoft abruptly discontinuing their Mixed Reality platform? This was the company's effort, prior to the release of the Apple Vision Pro, to create an inexpensive VR platform and provide inexpensive VR headsets. Tell us in the comments section below if this had an impact on you!