How to Uninstall Windows Mixed Reality on Windows 11

Windows Mixed Reality Windows Mixed Reality lets you use your computer in a 3D space. While it is a cool feature, you might want to remove it.

Why remove Windows Mixed Reality?

You might want to remove Windows Mixed Reality if you are experiencing technical glitches, performance drops, or if you simply need to reclaim storage space on your hard drive. Since the platform relies on specific VR headset drivers and the Mixed Reality Portal, removing it can help resolve conflicts with other software. Uninstalling and reinstalling the software is a common way to fix performance problems or prepare for a clean install of the WMR environment.

What happens when done?

Once the process is complete, your personal user information associated with the app will be erased. This includes your Cliff House environment settings and calibration data. However, any specific mixed reality apps or VR games you downloaded from the Microsoft Store will stay on your computer. You will need to manually remove those if you want to free up additional space.

Standard Uninstall via Settings

Note: This process requires administrator privileges to modify system settings.

1. Open the Windows Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start button and selecting the Settings icon, or by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Once the Settings window is open, click on the Mixed reality button located in the menu on the left side of your screen.

3. On the right side of the screen, look for the Uninstall tile and click it to expand the options.

4. Click the Uninstall button to begin the removal process.

5. When a prompt appears, click the Next button to confirm your choice.

6. Finally, click the Restart now button. This will finish removing the feature from your computer.

Advanced Removal via PowerShell

Note: This process requires administrator privileges. If the standard method fails, you can use PowerShell to remove the AppxPackage components.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type the following command to list installed WMR packages: Get-AppxPackage *MixedReality*
3. To remove the core portal, run: Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal* | Remove-AppxPackage

Registry Cleanup

Note: This process requires administrator privileges and carries risks if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry first.

To remove remnants, open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu. Navigate to the following path to delete leftover keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Holographic

Deleting this folder helps ensure a clean slate if you plan to perform a clean install of WMR later.

Troubleshooting Uninstallation Errors

If you encounter errors, ensure your VR headset drivers are disconnected. Sometimes, Windows 10 v1709 or newer builds may keep WMR services active. Visit the official Microsoft support documentation for further guidance on specific error codes.

Summary

Removing Windows Mixed Reality is a simple way to keep your system clean and organized. By following the steps in the Settings app, using PowerShell for stubborn packages, or cleaning the registry, you can resolve software conflicts and free up disk space. Remember that your personal settings will be cleared, but your other apps will remain safely on your computer.