In a recent announcement at their Connect event in September, Meta revealed its collaboration with Microsoft to bring a new capability to Windows 11 PCs: the ability to pair wirelessly with Quest devices. As of now, both companies have indicated that a preview of this exciting feature will be available starting December.
Once implemented, this feature will enable the Quest 3 and Quest 3S to interface with Windows 11 PCs, creating a seamless multi-monitor work setup. If this sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because Apple has offered a similar functionality with its Vision Pro, allowing for Mac Virtual Display connections since February 2024.
Microsoft has stated that they plan to launch this feature in public preview in December, hoping it will attract users aiming to boost their productivity.
According to Melissa Grant, the Senior Director of Product Marketing for Microsoft 365, “With Windows in mixed reality, we are bringing the complete functionality of Windows 11 to mixed reality headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. You can easily connect to your local Windows PC or a Windows 365 Cloud PC, transforming your Quest headset into a robust, private, high-quality multiple-monitor workstation in mere seconds,” she explained in a blog post.
Back when they first unveiled this feature at September’s Connect event, Meta demonstrated how it simplifies PC connectivity. Users will be able to simply glance at the keyboard to instantly interact with their PC and move windows across multiple virtual screens. This innovation stands in contrast to Meta’s existing Air Link, which offers a more conventional Remote Desktop experience.
While the Quest has predominantly been celebrated as a leading standalone VR gaming console, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes this deeper integration with Windows marks an important milestone for Quest’s evolution.
“This move is part of creating a versatile computing platform,” Zuckerberg remarked. “Quest isn’t just about gaming, even though it excels at that. It will also support apps, video viewing, and practically everything else you might expect from a general-purpose computer. Quest offers a comprehensive experience.”
Stay tuned as we keep track of the developments, and expect further updates on release dates as more information becomes available.