Windows Mixed Reality End of Support: What Happened to WMR Headsets and What Comes Next
By Lyle Heartman
Meta description: Microsoft ended Windows Mixed Reality support in Windows 11 24H2. Here is what happened, the official end of support dates, what it means for HoloLens, and how to keep a WMR headset working.
Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), beginning with the 24H2 release of Windows 11. Any user who installs that version or later can no longer use their WMR headset. The drivers, which were once built directly into the operating system, have been removed, with Microsoft citing maintenance burden as the reason. Users who wish to keep their hardware functional must either remain on Windows 10 or block the 24H2 update from installing. The decision affects device models from Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Dell, and Microsoft itself.
Windows Mixed Reality End of Support Dates and Official Statements
When contacted by UploadVR, a Microsoft representative provided the following official statement:
"As of Nov 1, 2026 for consumers and Nov 1, 2027 for commercial customers, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer be available for download via the Mixed Reality portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta, and we will discontinue support. At that time, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates."
Microsoft later expanded on this in its official documentation covering deprecated features for Windows client:
"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."
That guidance is misleading. Windows 11 version 23H2, the very release users are told to stay on, itself stopped receiving security updates after 11 November 2025. In practice, keeping a WMR headset alive on Windows means running an unsupported and unpatched operating system, which is a genuine risk for anyone who uses the same machine for work, banking, or storing personal files.
Is HoloLens Discontinued? The Fate of Microsoft's Headset Line
Because Microsoft's HoloLens ran on Windows Mixed Reality, the deprecation immediately raised speculation that HoloLens would follow. Production of HoloLens 2 stopped in October 2024. Microsoft subsequently confirmed that both the consumer and business arms of HoloLens are heading toward end of life in 2028, as the company redirects its attention to the defense sector. Robin Seiler, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Mixed Reality, told The Verge:
"We are transitioning away from hardware development but will continue to provide support for HoloLens2 hardware and software through 2027, as announced in October. We remain committed to the IVAS program and will shift our focus to cloud and AI technologies, which will serve as the foundation for IVAS as a situational awareness platform."
HoloLens 1 entered long-term servicing on 13 November 2021 and was officially deprecated in December 2024.
How to Keep a WMR Headset Working: Life After Windows on Linux
The hardware is not necessarily dead. WMR headsets can be made to work on Linux distributions through the Monado and OpenComposite VR stack. Envision is an application that compiles and runs the necessary components to get a working setup with minimal manual effort. Documentation and community support are available through the LVRA website and its Discord server.
This remains in-development software, so bugs should be expected, and depending on the specific headset, not every feature is implemented yet. The upside is that the project is open source and improving continuously, which makes it the most realistic path forward for owners who do not want to throw away perfectly functional hardware.
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Primary keyword: Windows Mixed Reality end of support
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