Windows Mixed Reality headsets, rendered non-functional by Microsoft’s discontinuation of the platform, have been revived by an independent effort from a Microsoft Xbox engineer.
Matthieu Bucchianeri, formerly a software engineer for Windows Mixed Reality, has released a free “Oasis Driver for Windows Mixed Reality” on Steam, restoring SteamVR support to the abandoned headsets. The driver is named after Microsoft’s internal codename “Oasis” for its Mixed Reality project.
The Oasis driver requires an Nvidia GPU due to its reliance on features absent in AMD and Intel graphics drivers. It eliminates the need for the Mixed Reality Portal application, enabling users to run OpenVR and OpenXR applications directly through SteamVR. This allows for a more streamlined experience, as users can now access a broader range of virtual reality content.
The driver provides comprehensive headset and motion controller tracking, along with a native SteamVR rendering pipeline. Bucchianeri developed the driver by reverse-engineering Nvidia and SteamVR code. Although he has chosen not to release the source code, the driver remains free for users to download and utilize from Steam.
To facilitate the setup process, quick-start documentation is available, guiding users through the necessary steps. This community-driven solution effectively circumvents Microsoft’s abandonment of the WMR platform, offering users a pathway to continue using their headsets.
