General frequently asked questions

Windows 10 is the first platform to support holographic computing with APIs that enable gaze, gesture, voice, and environmental understanding on a self-contained device. With Windows 10, holograms are Universal Windows platform apps, and all Universal Windows apps can be made to work as holograms. Holograms in Windows 10 will lead to entirely new ways for us to communicate, create, and explore.

Microsoft HoloLens is the first fully self-contained holographic computer running Windows 10. It is completely untethered–no wires, phones, or connection to a PC needed. Microsoft HoloLens allows you to place holograms in your physical environment and provides a new way to see your world.

A hologram is an object like any other object in the real world, with only one difference: instead of being made of physical matter, a hologram is made entirely of light. Holographic objects can be viewed from different angles and distances, just like physical objects, but they do not offer any physical resistance when touched or pushed because they don’t have any mass. Holograms can be two-dimensional, like a piece of paper or a TV screen, or they can be three-dimensional, just like other physical objects in your real world. The holograms you’ll see with Microsoft HoloLens can appear life-like, and can move, be shaped, and change according to interaction with users or the physical environment in which they are visible.

We’ve made incredible advances as an industry in the ways we interact with computers. However, we are still constrained because we must conform to the ways computers recognize our commands through a keyboard or by touching a screen. Using holograms, you can place your digital content, such as apps, information, and even multi-dimensional videos, in the physical space around you, so you can interact with it in the same ways that you interact with physical objects.

Microsoft HoloLens generates a multi-dimensional image visible to a user so that he or she perceives holographic objects in the physical world. Holographic objects seen with Microsoft HoloLens can be placed in physical locations you choose, move according to their own rules, or remain in a specific location regardless of where you are or in which direction you are looking.

The holograms you’ll see with Microsoft HoloLens can appear life-like, and can move, be shaped, and change according to interaction with you or the physical environment in which they are visible. Use gestures to create, shape, and size holograms. Use your gaze to navigate and explore. Use your voice to communicate with your apps. Microsoft HoloLens understands your movements, gaze, and voice, enabling you to interact with content and information naturally. Using holograms, you can place your digital content, such as apps, information, and even multi-dimensional videos, in the physical space around you, so you can interact with it.

Evaluate eye protection needs for your environment. HoloLens is not intended to provide eye protection against high impacts (Z87.1+), debris, chemicals, UV light, etc. HoloLens has been tested and found to conform to the basic impact protection requirements of ANSI Z87.1, CSA Z94.3 and EN 166.

We are excited about the possibilities that Microsoft HoloLens will enable. We believe developers, commercial organizations, designers, and creators will find unique value in Microsoft HoloLens.

For developers, Windows 10 on Microsoft HoloLens is the premier holographic platform that enables you to help develop the future of holographic computing. Built on Windows 10, Microsoft HoloLens will be a revolutionary tool for businesses—transforming how companies, designers, and creators work with three-dimensional data to bring products and information to life.

This is just the beginning. While our current focus is growing the ecosystem through the efforts of pioneering developers and commercial partners, we are also committed to releasing HoloLens to consumers in the next few years.

Microsoft HoloLens will adjust to fit a wide range of adult head sizes and shapes, while also fitting comfortably over the majority of eyeglass frames. However, it is not designed to work with hats and headgear, which may need to be removed for optimal use.

At this time, HoloLens is available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States (including Puerto Rico), Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and Slovenia. To purchase Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition or Commercial Suite, click here.

At this time, HoloLens is available in English language only.

Developing holographic apps is as simple as building for the Universal Windows Platform. All holographic apps are Universal Windows apps, and all Universal Windows apps can be made to run on Microsoft HoloLens. With Windows 10 and familiarity with middleware tools like Unity, you can start getting ready to build holographic experiences today.

In addition, we have released Development Documentation, Design Guidance and forums specific to HoloLens. Keep checking back as our teams constantly update and improve our documentation, tutorials, and case studies.

To purchase Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition or Commercial Suite, click here. HoloLens is available for purchase to developers in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States (including Puerto Rico), Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and Slovenia.

Your local retail Microsoft Store does not have inventory of the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition or Commercial Suite, but you can make a purchase online. HoloLens is available for purchase in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States (including Puerto Rico), Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and Slovenia.

The Commercial Suite, which includes the Development Edition, enterprise features for added security and device management, and a warranty, is available for purchase directly from our website. For volume orders (10+), professional service engagements, or more information about enterprise features, contact your Microsoft account representative or email [email protected].

For volume orders (10+), professional service engagements, or more information about enterprise features, contact your Microsoft account representative or email [email protected].

An MSA is required to complete your purchase. If you don’t have already have one, create your MSA here.

If you need help with any part of the process, please select “Talk to an expert” in the Microsoft Store. Visit this page for help with purchasing the Development Edition, and this page for help with purchasing the Commercial Suite.

Visit this page to see the hardware details for the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition.

Gaze, gesture, and voice together are the next generation of natural user input. This input system allows for interaction with your digital content and communication with your HoloLens device with no additional accessories needed.

In addition, we have provided a clicker with each Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition. The clicker offers another way to do things like select and scroll. Because HoloLens is a Bluetooth-enabled device, you may also choose to connect a keyboard for some scenarios.

Welcome to the HoloLens community! There are a few places where developers can find support. For documentation, tools, case studies, and forums where you can get help from other developers, visit our Development Documentation and Design Guidance. The HoloLens engineering team also actively engages on our forums and our @HoloLens Twitter account.

If you need advanced development support, you can create an incident with Microsoft Support and get help from a technical support representative.

If you have questions about the device or hardware itself, visit the HoloLens support website.

Microsoft designs and manufactures its products for global sale; however, country-specific testing, certification, marking, and an appropriate power adapter may be required prior to device use. Microsoft does not assume legal responsibility for products that are transported into countries where its products have not been certified for sale, distribution or use. Microsoft recommends that developer purchasers check local power adapter and radio frequency requirements before using Microsoft products in jurisdictions where they have not been certified for sale, distribution or use.