WinlatorXR is a next-generation Windows compatibility environment built specifically for Extended Reality (XR). It enables users to run full Windows applications and games inside immersive VR and AR spaces—bringing the power of desktop software into a spatial, interactive world.

Designed for performance and flexibility, WinlatorXR bridges the gap between traditional Windows programs and modern XR headsets. Whether you're launching productivity tools, creative software, or classic PC games, WinlatorXR transforms them into immersive experiences optimized for virtual environments.

  • Run Windows Apps in XR – Seamlessly execute desktop software inside virtual and mixed reality spaces.
  • Optimized Performance – Engineered for smooth rendering and low latency in XR hardware environments.
  • Gaming in VR – Play compatible Windows PC titles within immersive virtual displays.
  • Developer-Friendly – Built with compatibility and extensibility in mind.

Supported headsets

Although the Quest 3 and Quest 3 S remain the most popular headsets for running WinlatorXR, our compatibility extends well beyond Meta’s ecosystem. The Pico 4 Ultra, for example, is a strong alternative. Thanks to its Turnip driver support, it can deliver slightly better performance than the Quest 3 in many scenarios. The base Pico 4 model, however, lacks a crucial Vulkan extension; as a result, it can run only DirectX 7 and DirectX 8 titles, and we currently consider it effectively unsupported. Surprisingly, the older Meta Quest 2 continues to perform admirably. With the Turnip driver enabled, it offers full compatibility and often works far better than expected for a device of its generation.

We’ve also benefited from community contributions. A developer from Play for Dream kindly added support for the Play for Dream MR headset. While this support remains in the project, we cannot guarantee long-term reliability, as we do not have access to the hardware for continuous testing.

Credits

WinlatorXR

Special thanks to Amanda Watson for writing a tutorial on developing hybrid (2D/VR) applications. That knowledge was unavailable elsewhere, and this project would not have been possible without her contribution.

Winlator Cmod (which is WinlatorXR based on)

Third-Party Applications

History

Project Background

Between 2022 and 2024, the lead developer of WinlatorXR focused extensively on advancing immersive emulation for standalone VR headsets. In 2022, he introduced PPSSPP VR, bringing stereoscopic 3D rendering and head tracking to classic handheld titles. In 2023, he revived the VirtualGoBoy emulator, making it working on newer Android versions. Continuing this trajectory in 2024, he contributed to CitraVR by implementing an immersive mode that significantly enhanced Nintendo 3DS emulation within VR environments. Together, these projects demonstrated a consistent effort to expand VR-native emulation and improve spatial presence across multiple platforms.

After discovering the Winlator project, the developer immediately recognized its potential and initiated contact to explore the integration of OpenXR support. The objective was to enable standardized VR runtime compatibility and extend immersive capabilities within the Windows container environment. However, the original repository proved challenging for external open-source collaboration. Limited flexibility for community contributions led to the creation of multiple independent forks and mods of the project. These forks focused on experimentation, feature expansion, and improved integration paths, ultimately contributing to the growth and diversification of the ecosystem surrounding the project.

Project Evolution

Initially, there was no intention to create an independent fork or modification of WinlatorXR. The project existed as part of the official Winlator repository, with the goal of contributing VR functionality directly upstream. However, frequent Quest OS updates repeatedly broke compatibility, and the time required to implement hotfixes proved to be too long for a stable and reliable development cycle. Over time, it became clear that relying solely on the original repository structure was not a sustainable solution.

The emergence of the GLIBC fork marked a significant turning point. This fork delivered a substantial performance improvement, and its maintainer — a Chinese student developer — quickly granted administrative access to the lead developer. This collaboration proved to be mutually beneficial and accelerated development. Unfortunately, the original maintainer later disappeared from the internet, leaving the project without consistent upstream updates or long-term maintenance. Meanwhile, Tobbe85 introduced a separate fork that added support for Pico headsets. This broadened hardware compatibility and brought increased visibility to the project. Around the same time, GmoLargey became heavily involved as a primary tester of early WinlatorXR builds, providing valuable feedback and helping refine stability and performance during critical development stages.

In the summer of 2025, the release of Winlator Cmod/Bionic resolved long-standing issues related to Meta Quest drivers and unlocked compatibility with DirectX 9 and newer titles. This development represented a major breakthrough. The lead developer merged these improvements together with Tobbe85’s work, effectively rebooting the project and establishing a stronger, more unified foundation for future WinlatorXR development.