Back in September during the Connect event, Meta revealed its collaboration with Microsoft aimed at enabling Windows 11 PCs to wirelessly pair with Quest headsets. Fast forward a couple of months, and both companies have confirmed they’ll offer a preview of this new capability by December.
This upcoming feature is exciting news for Quest 3 and Quest 3S users. It will let them link up with Windows 11 PCs to create an expansive, multi-monitor workspace. If you’re familiar with the Vision Pro and its compatibility with Macs, thanks to Apple’s Mac Virtual Display since early 2024, you’ll recognize this as a similar offering for PC users.
Microsoft plans to roll out this feature in a public preview in December, targeting those eager to boost their productivity levels.
Melissa Grant, the Senior Director of Product Marketing at Microsoft 365, elaborated on this in a blog post. She said, “Bringing Windows into mixed reality headsets unleashes the complete power of Windows 11. Users of the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S will find it incredibly easy to connect with their Windows PCs or Windows 365 Cloud PCs. Just a few seconds and you’re set up with a top-notch, multi-monitor virtual workstation.”
The hints dropped during the Connect event back in September were particularly intriguing. Meta suggested that by simply gazing at the keyboard, users would be able to swiftly connect to their PC. This would allow for a seamless interaction, letting you drag and arrange windows across several virtual displays – offering a distinct improvement over the Remote Desktop experience previously available via Meta’s Air Link.
Traditionally recognized for its prowess as a standalone VR gaming console, Quest’s capabilities are seeing a significant expansion. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, expresses his belief in this enhanced Windows integration as a pivotal move toward developing an all-encompassing computing platform.
He stated, “This is how we pave the way to construct a general computing platform. It’s not confined to gaming, even though Quest excels in that arena. You’ll find it just as capable for using apps, watching videos, and performing any tasks you’d normally do on a general-use computer. Quest offers it all.”
We’re eagerly awaiting further announcements regarding the official release dates. Stick around, as we’ll update this article with any new information as it becomes available.