• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechMicrosoft

This Startup Wants to Bring Microsoft Windows to Virtual Reality

By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 4, 2016, 11:00 AM ET
Envelop for Windows screenshot
Envelop for Windows screenshotEnvelop

You’ve never experienced Windows until you’ve strapped on a virtual reality headset, opened Excel in a virtual world, and watch as charts and tables open like flowers in front of you.

A startup, Envelop, plans to introduce software to the general public on Friday that converts users’ Microsoft (MSFT) Windows operating systems into a version that works with virtual reality headsets like Facebook’s (FB) Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.

The software makes Windows virtual reality-ready so that people can create Word documents and surf the web while in virtual reality. The goal is to make virtual reality more user friendly—even for office work—instead of just a playground for marauding monsters and race cars.

Envelop’s so-called “VR shell” does the heavy lifting that morphs the popular Windows into a VR-friendly format, according to Envelop CEO Bob Berry. It’s similar to Google’s (GOOG) recently released “VR shell” for a special developer version of its Chrome mobile browser that will make mobile websites display better in virtual reality through smartphone-powered headsets like the Samsung Gear VR.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

One of the reasons Envelop built the software was to create a way for people who develop virtual reality software, games, and other media to be able do so while wearing a VR headset, explained Berry.

VR is so relatively new beyond the purely experimental that there hasn’t been a standardized interface developed for people to interact with headsets through their computers. The Envelop software enables people to open apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and web browsers within the headset in a way that mimics how Windows is normally used.

Last week, Fortune tried a demo of Envelop’s software using an Oculus Rift. Wearing the headset with the software turned on created the feeling of being surrounded by several browser windows and programs in a 3-D world.

The software works in conjunction with the camera on desktop monitors so that people can see their hands hover over their keyboards, so they can see their fingers type. People can also use their computer mice to move, click, and open files, just like they would with traditional Windows.

It’s essentially like staring into a giant panorama of computer screens. If you want to move an open browser window to the side, you just click and drag, tilt your head to the left, and drop the window to its new location. Anyone who has used multiple monitors should feel at home, at least somewhat.

Because the setup in virtual reality resembles Windows, it’s pretty easy to navigate without much help. Many VR programs and games are so unfamiliar, moving around can be confusing without explicit instructions.

 

Excel in virtual reality. Envelop
Envelop

Looking at an Excel spreadsheet in virtual reality was pretty much like looking at Excel on a desktop—except supersized. Displaying spreadsheet data in a graph form, like a bar graph or something more complex, takes advantage of virtual reality’s 3-D capabilities and makes staring at a pie chart far more exciting than normal.

When viewing a car website that works with Envelop’s software, users can choose a vehicle and be transported into a 3-D model of the car’s interior.

Envelop’s software begs the question: Why do people need a virtual reality version of Windows? What comes after the novelty of opening multiple, gigantic spreadsheets?

For more about virtual reality, watch:

For Berry, it’s creating a new way of computing that is exciting and that opens the door for other developers to build on top of it. That’s why Envelop is releasing the software for free to gain public attention as well as eventually debuting a so-called software development kit that coders can use to build virtual reality apps and modify websites in virtual reality.

Berry said he imagines that the interface would be good for professionals like software developers or financial traders who are accustomed to using multiple computer monitors for their jobs. They’d just have to get used to wearing boxy headsets at their desks all day.

Although Envelop is based in Bellevue, Wash., the company has no relationship with Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft. Berry said that Microsoft employees he did not identify have seen the software and “think it’s cool.”

It should be noted that Microsoft recently said that it would make available its custom version of Windows for its own HoloLens augmented reality headset to other companies like Dell, HP (HPQ), and HTC, which makes the HTC Vive device.

Other apps that are trying to bring desktop computing into VR include Virtual Desktop and BigScreen.

Envelop has raised $7.5 million from venture capital firms GV (formerly known as Google Ventures), Madrona Venture Group, and several angel investors.

About the Author
By Jonathan Vanian
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Jonathan Vanian is a former Fortune reporter. He covered business technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and other topics.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

scott bessent
CybersecurityFederal Reserve
The AI that found 27-year-old vulnerabilities no human ever caught before just forced an emergency meeting with every major Wall Street CEO
By Jake AngeloApril 10, 2026
23 minutes ago
Ukraine will have the most important defense industrial base in the free world, former CIA chief predicts
InnovationDefense
Ukraine will have the most important defense industrial base in the free world, former CIA chief predicts
By Jason MaApril 10, 2026
3 hours ago
A hacker in a dark hoodie and wearing a creepy white mask sits at a keyboard in front of multiple computer monitors in a dark, blue-shaded room.
CybersecurityAnthropic
Anthropic is limiting access to its latest AI model, Mythos. The real risks may already be out there
By Beatrice NolanApril 10, 2026
3 hours ago
‘Downward mobility is incredibly radicalizing’: The college bargain is broken. What comes next could reshape America
EconomyColleges and Universities
‘Downward mobility is incredibly radicalizing’: The college bargain is broken. What comes next could reshape America
By Nick LichtenbergApril 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Who’s really in control as AI and Big Tech race ahead?
MagazineEurope
Who’s really in control as AI and Big Tech race ahead?
By Francesca CassidyApril 10, 2026
7 hours ago
Photo: Donald Trump
EconomyMarkets
U.S. and Iran begin peace talks as Trump’s White House goes to war against the media, insider traders, and the Pope
By Jim EdwardsApril 10, 2026
8 hours ago

Most Popular

The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
Economy
The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
A Meta employee created a dashboard so coworkers can compete to be the company's No. 1 AI token user—and Zuckerberg doesn't even rank in the top 250
AI
A Meta employee created a dashboard so coworkers can compete to be the company's No. 1 AI token user—and Zuckerberg doesn't even rank in the top 250
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
Investing
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
'I hate working 5 days': Zoom CEO says traditional work schedules are becoming obsolete—and predicts a 3-day workweek by 2031
Success
'I hate working 5 days': Zoom CEO says traditional work schedules are becoming obsolete—and predicts a 3-day workweek by 2031
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
Success
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of April 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of April 9, 2026
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.