How to access 'Mixed reality' settings on Windows 10

How-to
By
published

It's possible to add or remove the "Mixed reality" section in the Settings app, and in this guide, we'll tell you how to do it.

Starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft introduced Windows Mixed Reality, which allows capable devices to run virtual reality (VR) as well as augmented reality (AR) applications experiences. However, unless your device meets the minimum hardware requirements, the Mixed Reality settings won't appear in the Settings app, and you won't be able to open the Mixed Reality Portal app.

If you simply want to check out the Windows Mixed Reality settings and explore the Mixed Reality Portal app, or your device has the required hardware to run experience, but the "Mixed Reality" section is missing from the Settings app, you can use the Registry to add and remove the entry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to add (or remove) the Mixed reality settings page on your device.

How to add 'Mixed reality' to the Settings app

If the Mixed reality listing is missing in the Settings app, or you simply want to check out the available settings on the device that doesn't include support for VR/AR, you can use the following steps:

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.
  3. Browse the following path:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Holographic
  4. Right-click the Holographic (folder) key, select New and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  1. Name the key FirstRunSucceeded and press Enter.
  2. Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.
    • Quick Tip: If you want to remove the "Mixed Reality" section from the Settings app, you can leave the FirstRunSucceeded key with the default value of 0.
  3. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, reopen the Settings app, and you should now see the "Mixed Reality" section listed next to "Update & Security," which you can click and explore the settings you can now customize.

Additionally, as a result of the Registry change, you'll also be able to launch and explore the Mixed Reality Portal app, which otherwise, you'd need the appropriate hardware to use.

At any time to revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 6 make sure to change the key value to the original data (0 to remove or 1 to restore the entry).

It's worth noting that using these instructions are not meant to enable you to use Windows Mixed Reality on a device that isn't capable to run the experience. These steps are meant to add or remove the entry from the Settings app and to have the ability to explore the Mixed Reality Portal app.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.