Microsoft to Introduce Automatic Quest 3 Pairing for Windows 11 PCs in December

In September, Meta announced during their Connect event that they were teaming up with Microsoft to enable Windows 11 PCs to connect wirelessly to Quest headsets. Excitingly, both companies now reveal that a preview version of this feature will be available come December.

This new functionality will let Quest 3 and Quest 3S users link up with Windows 11 PCs, creating a multi-monitor setup that will be quite familiar to those who’ve used Apple’s Vision Pro with their Mac, thanks to Mac Virtual Display—a feature that’s been available since February 2024.

Microsoft is planning to roll out the public preview of this feature in December, aiming to captivate users eager for enhanced productivity.

“Integrating Windows into mixed reality brings the expansive capabilities of Windows 11 to devices like the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S,” explained Melissa Grant, Microsoft 365’s Senior Director of Product Marketing, in a blog post. She highlighted the ease of connecting to either a local Windows PC or a Windows 365 Cloud PC from a Quest headset, stating that it takes only seconds to establish a link and enjoy a smooth, multi-monitor workstation.

At the Connect event, Meta gave us a peek into the seamless connection experience promised by this update. By just glancing at the keyboard, users can connect swiftly to their PCs, moving windows across virtual monitors with ease—marking a significant evolution compared to the previous Remote Desktop experience offered by Meta’s Air Link.

Even though Quest has made a name for itself as a top-tier standalone VR gaming console, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, believes that tighter Windows integration is a significant move forward for the platform.

“This is the direction for creating a comprehensive computing platform,” Zuckerberg stated. “While Quest excels at gaming, it’s also about using apps, watching videos, and engaging in all the tasks you’d perform on a general-purpose computer. Quest covers it all.”

We’ll keep you updated with any new release dates, so check back for more information as it becomes available.