How to View and Interact with Windows 10 PC Desktop inside Windows Mixed Reality


Mixed reality blends real-world and virtual content into hybrid environments where physical and digital objects coexist and interact.

While inside Windows Mixed Reality, you can use the Desktop view app to interact with your PC desktop without taking off your headset.

See also: How to use a full Desktop application | Microsoft Docs

This tutorial will show you how to view and interact with your Windows 10 PC desktop while inside Windows Mixed Reality without taking off your headset.

Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta.




Here's How:

1 While using the Mixed Reality Portal app for mixed reality, press the Windows button on your motion controller to open the Start menu. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-motion_controller.png

2 Select the All Apps icon on the Start menu, or say the All Apps voice command. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-1.jpg

3 Select the Desktop app icon on the Start menu, or say the Desktop voice command. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-2.jpg

4 You will now see your PC desktop while inside Windows Mixed Reality. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-3.jpg

5 If you have multiple displays connected to your Windows 10 PC, then you can select the Switch monitor icon at the top left corner of the Desktop app or say the Switch monitor voice command to switch between desktops on each display. (see screenshot below)

The main display is shown by default in the Desktop app.

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-4.jpg

6 Select the display you want to switch to. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-5.jpg

7 When you are finished interacting with your PC desktop, you can select the Close icon at the top right corner of the Desktop app or say the Close voice command. (see screenshot below)

View and Interact with Windows 10 Desktop in Windows Mixed Reality-pc_desktop_in_windows_mixed_reality-6.jpg


That's it,
Shawn Brink