Microsoft has updated its Mixed Reality Link application to enhance integration between Windows 11 and Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets. The update allows Windows to access the headset's built-in hardware, effectively turning the devices into comprehensive audio and video input peripherals.
The new features include microphone streaming, which allows the Windows system to recognize the headset's microphone as an independent input device labeled Mixed Reality Link Microphone. This enables users to conduct voice calls, participate in online meetings, and interact with AI assistants directly through the headset.
Additionally, the update introduces camera support, allowing Windows applications to access the headset's camera feed for real-time first-person perspective sharing. Microsoft and Meta also launched the Avatar Camera feature, which lets users participate in video conferences using their Meta digital avatars instead of a traditional camera feed.
To utilize these new capabilities, users must install Mixed Reality Link version 26.9105.9070.0 or higher. The setup requires a Meta Quest 3 or 3S headset and a computer running Windows 11 version 22H2 or later.
This collaboration marks a strategic shift for Microsoft, which has discontinued its own Windows Mixed Reality hardware. By focusing on software integration, the company aims to position Windows as a key productivity platform within the Meta Quest ecosystem.
