The best way to experience Windows Mixed Reality is with a new Windows Mixed Reality-ready PC. To see if your current PC will run Windows Mixed Reality, take a look at these hardware guidelines, or run the Windows Mixed Reality PC Check app. Keep in mind that performance and features may vary depending on your exact setup.
Before setting up Windows Mixed Reality, be sure to check for software updates. Select Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.
Looking for help with Windows Mixed Reality PC Check results? See this topic.
Features and experiences
Windows 10 powers both Windows Mixed Reality and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. Which version you experience depends on your PC hardware.
With Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, you get some additional capabilities and features:
-
Crisper visuals and a higher refresh rate (90 frames per second).
-
More apps and experiences—including the most graphics-intensive games.
-
A ‘’mirror’’ window on your desktop that shows what you see in mixed reality.
-
Record and share videos (as well as photos) of your mixed reality experiences.
PC hardware guidelines
| Windows Mixed Reality | Windows Mixed Reality Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later | Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i5 7200U (7th generation mobile), dual core with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology enabled or better AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4Ghz (desktop), quad core or better | Intel® Core™ i5 4590 (4th generation desktop), quad core or better AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4Ghz (desktop), quad core or better |
| RAM | 8GB DDR3 dual channel | 8GB DDR3 or better |
| Disk space | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| Graphics card | Compatible GPUs:
Note: older Intel GPUs such as HD Graphics 4xx, 5xx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx are not supported. | Compatible GPUs:
|
| Graphics driver | Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 | Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 |
| Graphics display port | HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 | HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Monitor | External or integrated VGA (800x600) monitor | External or integrated VGA (800x600) monitor |
| USB type | USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C |
| Bluetooth type (for controllers)* *Some headsets have built-in Bluetooth. In this case, Bluetooth 4.0 is not required on the PC. | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
Notes
- Larger laptops (with screens of at least 15”) perform best.
- For the best experience, we recommend an 8th Gen Intel® Core™ or 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor.
- Hybrid graphics configurations are compatible only with Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. The discrete graphics adapter in any hybrid configuration must meet all the requirements listed in the Windows Mixed Reality guidelines for discrete graphics adapters.
- If you have a discrete graphics card that should run Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, but it's defaulting to a 60 Hz (60 frames per second) refresh rate, use a full-size DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 adapter to plug in your headset and enable a 90 Hz refresh rate.
Ports and adapters
Different headsets may require different hardware ports, so make sure your PC has the correct ports to connect to your headset. If it doesn't, you can use one or more adapters to connect the headset. Some adapters may also require the addition of a coupler in order to connect to your PC and/or the headset cable.
Note: Microsoft does not manufacture, test, certify, or guarantee the functionality, reliability or quality of any adapter. For any questions, concerns, or issues with any adapter, you should contact the seller or manufacturer of your adapter.
Bluetooth
Depending on your headset, you may need Bluetooth 4.0 in order to use motion controllers. Some headsets have built-in Bluetooth and can connect directly to controllers. If you're using a headset without built-in Bluetooth and your PC doesn't support Bluetooth 4.0, you can use an adapter, plugged into a USB 2.0 port on the PC.
Recommended Bluetooth adapters:
- Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter
- Insignia Bluetooth 4.0 USB Adapter
PC data ports
Windows Mixed Reality headsets require a USB 3.0 Type-A data port. If your computer has a USB 3.0 Type-C port, you'll need a USB 3.0 Type-C to USB 3.0 Type-A adapter.
PC display ports
| If your PC has this | Then use this |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort 1.2 | DisplayPort 1.x to HDMI 2.0 |
| Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP) 1.2 | Mini DisplayPort 1.x to HDMI 2.0 |
| USB 3.0 Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-C to HDMI 2.0 |
Recommended display port adapters:
The following display port adapters are all both 60Hz and 90Hz capable.
DisplayPort to HDMI:
- Club 3D HDMI 2.0 Active Adapter (full size and mini)
- Surface Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter
- Plugable Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter
- Cable Matters Active Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Supporting Eyefinity Technology & 4K Resolution
USB 3.0 Type C to HDMI (with Thunderbolt 3 support):
- Plugable USB-C to HDMI 2.0 Cable
- Accell USB-C to HDMI 2.0 Cable
- Surface USB-C to HDMI Adapter
Surface info
The configurations of Surface Pro, Surface Book 2, and Surface Studio detailed in the chart below support Windows Mixed Reality. Before you set up mixed reality on your Surface device, be sure to check for software updates. Select Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.
| Surface model | Required adapter | Refresh rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Pro (2017) | HDMI 2.0 to Surface Mini DisplayPort | 60 Hz |
|
| Surface Book 2 (13.5" and 15") | HDMI 2.0 to Surface USB C | Models with a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU: 90 Hz Models with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 or discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU: 60 Hz |
|
| Surface Studio | HDMI 2.0 to Surface Mini DisplayPort | Models with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965m GPU: 60 Hz Models with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980m GPU: 90 Hz |
|
Important
Discrete and integrated graphics hardware that doesn’t meet the minimum confirmed specifications has not been tested, confirmed, or optimized for Windows Mixed Reality and may not function properly or at all.
We’ll be updating and revising these guidelines. Check back for the latest.