Windows 11’s Vision Pro-style remote desktop launches on Quest 3
▼ Summary
– Microsoft’s virtual desktop feature for Quest headsets launched in preview in December 2024 and is now rolling out more broadly with Horizon OS v81.
– The feature now includes an option to transform the virtual desktop into an ultrawide curved display around the user’s field of view.
– Quest 3 and 3S users can pair their headset with a Windows computer via Mixed Reality Link to view and interact with their desktop display.
– Users can choose to immerse themselves in the virtual desktop or use passthrough to see their surroundings while using the feature.
– Additional updates include the ability to rescale and resize displays, Full Passthrough for quick environment checks, and support for opening up to 12 apps simultaneously.
Microsoft’s virtual desktop feature for Meta Quest headsets is now available beyond its initial preview phase, allowing users to project their Windows 11 environment directly into mixed reality. This integration, which began rolling out broadly with the Horizon OS v81 update, enables Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners to access their computer desktops while wearing the headset. The ability to transform a standard multi-monitor setup into a single, curved ultrawide display represents a significant enhancement, wrapping the digital workspace around the user’s field of view for a more immersive computing experience.
Setting up the connection requires downloading the Mixed Reality Link application on a Windows PC. Once installed, headset wearers simply look at their physical keyboard and select the “pair” option to begin mirroring their desktop display. Meta emphasizes the flexibility of this system, noting you can either fully immerse yourself in the virtual screen or utilize passthrough mode to maintain awareness of your physical surroundings. This dual functionality supports both focused productivity and situational safety.
Beyond the core remote desktop capability, Meta’s latest update introduces several other valuable features. Users can now rescale and reposition display windows across all applications, providing greater control over their virtual workspace layout. A new Full Passthrough feature allows for quick environmental checks by double-tapping the headset’s side or pressing the action button on the Quest 3S. Additionally, the system now supports running up to twelve applications simultaneously, significantly expanding multitasking possibilities within the mixed reality environment.
(Source: The Verge)
