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4. Companion App Documentation
Glen Harrison edited this page May 4, 2026
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DesktopXR Companion App is an application used to create a blank OpenXR session.
This allows you to access the DesktopXR desktop overlay without launching a VR game.
The Companion App is intended for 2D gaming, movie watching, and general desktop use in VR.
Run:
DesktopXR-Companion.exe
This starts a blank OpenXR session.
Once the session is running, you can use the DesktopXR desktop overlay without opening a VR game.
To close the Companion App:
- Open the Windows taskbar tray.
- Right-click the coloured VR headset icon.
- Select Exit.
The Companion App is useful when you want to use DesktopXR outside a game.
Common use cases include:
- Playing 2D games in VR
- Watching movies or videos
- Using desktop applications in VR
- Testing DesktopXR settings without launching a game
- The Companion App only creates the OpenXR session.
- DesktopXR must still be installed and enabled as an OpenXR API layer.
- DesktopXR overlay settings are still controlled by the main DesktopXR configuration file.
- If you change DesktopXR settings, restart the Companion App for the new settings to apply.
If the DesktopXR desktop overlay does not appear:
- Confirm DesktopXR is installed.
- Confirm DesktopXR is enabled as an OpenXR API layer.
- Confirm your OpenXR runtime is configured correctly.
- Restart the Companion App.
- Restart your VR software if needed.
DesktopXR configuration files are stored in:
%appdata%\DesktopXR
The Companion App uses the main DesktopXR configuration file:
%appdata%\DesktopXR\desktopxr.ini