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

Trendingnow

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

OpenAI says its AI models secretly broke out of a secure test environment and hacked into AI company Hugging Face in order to cheat on an evaluation

3

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

OpenAI says its AI models secretly broke out of a secure test environment and hacked into AI company Hugging Face in order to cheat on an evaluation

3

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
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
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

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
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

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
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
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
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Tech

nela
Successdisruption
Exclusive: Stanford and ADP have new payroll data on Gen Z women losing ground to men in the job market—and AI isn’t the main culprit
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 22, 2026
21 minutes ago
L-R: Elon Musk and Ray Dalio.
InnovationRay Dalio
Ray Dalio warned Elon Musk against betting all his money on Mars exploration: The SpaceX CEO said there was ‘no need’ for a backup plan
By Eleanor PringleJuly 22, 2026
41 minutes ago
Current price of Ethereum for July 22, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for July 22, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 22, 2026
1 hour ago
Doug Proctor (left) and Nick Perry (right)
Startups & VentureTerm Sheet
Candid Health raises $120 million to take on America’s $280 billion medical billing mess
By Lily Mae LazarusJuly 22, 2026
2 hours ago
Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue (center) on Capitol Hill on September 13, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
NewslettersFortune Tech
OpenAI: Our models accidentally compromised Hugging Face
By Andrew NuscaJuly 22, 2026
3 hours ago
Sam Altman and Jony Ive formed a dream team to reinvent hardware. Now it’s at the center of a battle for OpenAI’s future
Big TechOpenAI
Sam Altman and Jony Ive formed a dream team to reinvent hardware. Now it’s at the center of a battle for OpenAI’s future
By Emily Forlini and Sebastian HerreraJuly 22, 2026
4 hours ago

Most Popular

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
Success
Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 20, 2026
2 days ago
OpenAI says its AI models secretly broke out of a secure test environment and hacked into AI company Hugging Face in order to cheat on an evaluation
Cybersecurity
OpenAI says its AI models secretly broke out of a secure test environment and hacked into AI company Hugging Face in order to cheat on an evaluation
By Jeremy Kahn and Emily ForliniJuly 21, 2026
16 hours ago
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
Success
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
By Sydney LakeJuly 20, 2026
2 days ago
Mathematicians grapple with a ‘very rapid and very unsettling change’ as AI cracks yet another century-old problem
AI
Mathematicians grapple with a ‘very rapid and very unsettling change’ as AI cracks yet another century-old problem
By Eva RoytburgJuly 21, 2026
19 hours ago
Despite a $156 million contract, Knicks star Jalen Brunson still calls his parents for financial advice any time he makes a big purchase
Success
Despite a $156 million contract, Knicks star Jalen Brunson still calls his parents for financial advice any time he makes a big purchase
By Emma BurleighJuly 21, 2026
20 hours ago
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
AI
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
By Jason MaJuly 18, 2026
4 days 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.