Microsoft Discontinues Windows Mixed Reality

Tech giant shifts focus to partnerships, leaving VR field open for Meta and Apple

Overview

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows Mixed Reality, a platform launched in 2017 to compete with other VR companies.
The Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and Steam VR Beta will also be deprecated.
Despite the discontinuation, Microsoft is not completely backing out of the VR and Mixed Reality space, as it has recently partnered with Meta to bring Mixed Reality-enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming and Office support to the Quest.
Microsoft's decision leaves the field open for companies like Meta and Apple to take the lead in the VR and Mixed Reality space.
Reports suggest that the discontinuation of Windows Mixed Reality does not impact Microsoft's other mixed-reality ecosystem, the HoloLens 2.