Microsoft has just announced that its HoloLens 2 headset will get a free upgrade to Windows 11 in the first half of 2023. The new OS will guarantee future security updates and bring performance improvements and new platform updates for app developers.

Even though Microsoft’s mixed reality group has reportedly been hit pretty hard by the 10,000 job cuts the company announced earlier this year, Microsoft is still committed to HoloLens 2, a device that’s now almost 4 years old. And if the development of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program for the US Army isn’t exactly a resounding success, Microsoft still believes that HoloLens 2 is the right device for the “industrial metaverse.”

“In rolling out Microsoft’s latest OS on HoloLens 2, our mixed reality community can feel confident when building and deploying end-to-end solutions. The free upgrade to Windows 11 promises continuous platform support, meaning our customers can trust in the continued security of their devices,” Microsoft said today.

Windows 11 on HoloLens 2 will be an optional upgrade, but customers may want to update just to take advantage of new tools for developers. Indeed, Windows 11 on the HoloLens 2 will introduce support for Microsoft’s Edge WebView 2 runtime, which will allow appp developers to embed web technologies into their HoloLens apps.

Ahead of the release of Windows 11 on HoloLens 2 headsets, Microsoft is also adding new frontline worker-focused features for its Dynamics 365 Guide app. New additions include improved 3D annotations, a “restricted mode” to prevent unauthorized access to apps and highly sensitive data, as well as the ability to toggle video on or off before a Teams call.