Horizon OS Archives

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

‘We’re going to let VR be what it is and what it does great,’ says Meta execs regarding Quest changes

Meta is shifting its focus from first-party development to third-party games for Meta Quest headsets, with Horizon Worlds taking a mobile-only approach. Oculus Founder Luckey Palmer refuted claims that Meta is abandoning VR.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Immersive productivity with Windows and Meta Quest: Now generally available

The Mixed Reality Link and the Windows App for Meta Quest are now generally available, enabling full capabilities of Windows 11 and Windows 365 for mixed reality headsets. Users can connect to their local Windows PC or Windows 365 Cloud PC, access multiple high-resolution virtual monitors, and create private workspaces. The v81 release of Meta’s Horizon OS allows all users to access this experience without experimental settings. Connecting a Meta Quest 3 or 3S headset to Windows involves installing Mixed Reality Link and pairing the device. Feedback from the community since the Public Preview in December 2024 has led to improvements in connection reliability and higher resolution virtual monitors.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Windows 11’s Vision Pro-like remote desktop is now widely available on Quest 3

Microsoft has enhanced the Windows 11 remote desktop feature for Meta’s Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets, allowing users to project multiple high-resolution monitors into their headset and introducing an ultrawide mode. The feature was first previewed in December 2024 and has since been rolled out more broadly with the Horizon OS v81 update. Users can download the Mixed Reality Link application on their Windows computer to pair their headset. The integration allows interaction with the desktop display from the headset, and users can choose to immerse themselves in the virtual desktop or use passthrough technology. Additionally, users can rescale and resize displays across applications, utilize a Full Passthrough feature for environmental checks, and open up to 12 applications simultaneously for multitasking.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Microsoft Quest Mixed Reality Link Finally Goes Public

Microsoft and Meta have launched the Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 and Meta Quest headsets, making it accessible to all users and enhancing workspace flexibility and cross-platform integration. The mixed reality market is projected to reach billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 34.26%. Users need a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset and Windows 11 22H2 or newer to utilize the integration, which simplifies setup with a QR code and allows for easy reconnection. Users can create up to three virtual monitors, improving remote work experiences and reducing hardware costs for enterprises. The Quest 3 offers better resolution than the Quest 3S, and the passthrough capability allows users to stay aware of their surroundings while working. Current challenges include issues with Teams calls and the need for wired input devices, with plans for wireless support in future updates. The Mixed Reality Link is free to use, facilitating pilot programs for enterprises. Microsoft's strategy includes partnerships beyond Meta, aiming to provide a platform-agnostic productivity solution. The collaboration is expected to lead to built-in features on Windows and Quest devices, enhancing mixed reality capabilities and democratizing access as 5G networks develop.

AppWizard

September 25, 2025

Link PC VR Games Are Now Launchable From Quest’s Library In v81 PTC

The Horizon OS v81 PTC update allows users to launch Quest Link PC VR games directly from the Horizon OS library, eliminating the need for the outdated Rift Dash interface. Quest Link enables Meta's headsets to function as PC VR headsets via USB or Wi-Fi. The Public Test Channel (PTC) provides beta versions of upcoming updates, which may not all transition to stable releases. With the new update, PC VR Store applications are displayed as 'PCVR' in the Horizon OS library, and users can access the Horizon OS interface directly with the Meta button on the Touch controller. This update improves the user experience by streamlining the process of launching PC VR games, but it currently only applies to Meta's PC VR Store games, not those purchased on Steam.

BetaBeacon

December 22, 2024

Android XR could be Google’s Daydream redemption, and VR games can help

Daydream had issues such as draining phone batteries and lack of smartphone support. Google abandoned Daydream just as Quest began to take off. Google could potentially regain ground in the XR market by focusing on gaming, offering a curated selection of apps, supporting hand-tracking and controllers, and utilizing powerful hardware like Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2. The success of Android XR will depend on how well Google can differentiate itself from competitors like Meta and Apple.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Quest 3’s Windows 11 Integration Arrives As Experimental Feature

Quest 3's latest enhancement, introduced during Meta Connect 2024, integrates Windows 11 into Horizon OS v72, allowing users to connect and mirror their Windows 11 PC with a simple tap by looking at the device. This feature is developed through a partnership with Microsoft, utilizing Windows 11 Remote Desktop technology. Once connected, the PC screen turns off and is replaced by a virtual display, enabling users to create up to three virtual monitors. Currently, users must enable 'Pair to PC with Microsoft Mixed Reality Link' in their headset settings and download the Mixed Reality Link app on their Windows 11 PC for setup, but this will not be necessary once the feature exits beta. After setup, users can connect to their PC with a tap on a virtual button without launching any applications. However, the feature requires a local network for operation, unlike Apple's similar feature, which can function without one.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Quest v72 Brings Improved Hand Tracking & Keyboard Cutout

Meta Quest v72 is being rolled out to users, featuring improved hand tracking capabilities with the upgraded Hand Tracking 2.3 model, which enhances stability, accuracy, and reduces latency. Key improvements include a more stable hand cursor, better cursor stabilization during pinching, improved pinch-and-drag responsiveness, easier hand use in confined spaces, and a new hand ray visualization. The update also introduces experimental integration with Windows 11, a passthrough cutout feature for any keyboard, automatic call captions for live transcripts during calls, a Travel Mode indicator to prevent accidental activation, a streamlined home environment that defaults to a stationary boundary, and integration of direct messaging in the Instagram app on Horizon OS.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Final Meta Quest 3 update of 2024 brings big hand-tracking upgrade – and it might convince me to give working in VR another chance

The latest software update for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, version 72, includes a significant upgrade to Windows remote desktop functionality, allowing easier connection to Windows 11 PCs. Users can set up by ensuring their PC runs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, downloading the Mixed Reality Link app from the Microsoft Store, and enabling the 'Pair to PC with Microsoft Mixed Reality Link' feature in the headset's settings. The update also improves keyboard recognition through a dynamic passthrough window, introduces Hand Tracking 2.3 for better stability and accuracy, adds support for Instagram Direct Messenger, revamps the Media Gallery app for easier content sharing, and introduces live captions for calls in the People app to enhance accessibility.

BetaBeacon

October 30, 2024

Meta’s leaked ‘Avalanche’ could bring back Oculus Rift games, but I want more

Meta is actively working on bringing cloud VR gaming to Meta Quest, with a leaked app called Avalanche appearing briefly on the Quest Store. The company intends to launch cloud streaming on Quest when it's consumer-ready, enabling higher graphics than the Snapdragon XR2 on the Quest 3 and Quest 3S can natively handle. The challenges ahead include dealing with latency and high ping that comes with cloud streaming. The author dreams of a partnership between Meta and Microsoft to stream VR ports of popular first-person titles on Quest, such as Minecraft, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Forza, and Halo.