SteamVR Launcher from Mixed Reality

This simple application uses the Steam protocol extension to launch SteamVR from a Windows Mixed Reality Environment. It provides a 3D icon which will allow you to pin the Application in your house to use the next time you enter Mixed Reality.

How to install:

Microsoft will not allow Apps in the store that launch other Apps unless that other App is also in the store. SteamVR is not in the Microsoft Store so this App will not be approved. To get around this, you will have to sideload the app.

You have two choices to install:

• Build the code yourself, no other steps needed, other than to enable developer mode in Windows 10. If you are building the code you know how to do that.
• If you don't want to build the code yourself.

  1. download the .zip file from the Release tab and unzip it. The zip file contains two files, the certificate needed in the next step and the App bundle. Remember where you unzipped the contents, you will need the files in the next steps.

  2. Follow these instructions to side load App (I have condensed the instructions below, you can follow either the link or my instructions below): https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/sideload-apps-in-windows-10#how-do-i-sideload-an-app-on-desktop

     To turn on sideloading for unmanaged devices:

     • Open Settings.

       • Click Update & Security > For developers.
       • On Use developer features, select Sideload apps.

     • Import the security certificate

       • From the SteamVRLauncher_1.1.17.0_x86_x64.cer file unziped in step 1, right click the .cer file and select Install Certificate
       • On the Install Certificate dialog, Select Local Machine, then click Next
       • Select the radio button Place all certificates in the following store
         • select Trusted Root Certification Authorities, click OK.
       • Click Next, then Finish.

     • Run the PowerShell Add-AppxPackage command to install the appx package.

       • Run a cmd prompt. To do this, from the search panel on the task bar type cmd. Select Command Prompt.
       • change to the directory you unziped the files. For example, Normally files will go into your downloads directory, you may have even unzipped into that directory, in that case, you would issue the following command: cd \users\{your username}\Downloads\{your unzip directory}
       • From that directory type: powershell Add-AppxPackage SteamVRLauncher_1.1.17.0_x86_x64.appxbundle
         • NOTE: If you get an error about missing dependencies, see this issue: #1.
       • That's it, the app should be installed.

Running the App

Once installed, you will see an icon in the Recently Added section of the Start Menu. If you don't see the Steam VR Launcher App, the App isn't installed. If the App installed, you can startup Windows Mixed Reality and the App will show up when you view All Apps after pressing the Windows key on your controller. That's it, just select it and you can pin it to your environment!