Essential Windows services or components may have been removed or disabled

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 122 views

Introduction

Mixed Reality Link is a crucial application for connecting to virtual reality (VR) headsets on Windows 11. However, some users have reported that after running a Windows 11 debloater, Mixed Reality Link starts briefly but crashes immediately. This issue prevents users from connecting to their VR headsets, making it difficult to enjoy immersive experiences. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this problem, provide troubleshooting attempts, and offer solutions to restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link.

Understanding the Problem

Problem Description

After using a Windows 11 debloater, Mixed Reality Link starts briefly but crashes immediately. This results in an inability to connect to the VR headset, which worked fine before running the debloater.

Expected Behavior

Mixed Reality Link should start normally and allow a connection to the VR headset.

Actual Behavior

Mixed Reality Link starts for a few seconds, closes without any error message, and prevents a connection to the VR headset.

Steps to Reproduce

Run a Windows 11 debloater (e.g., a script from GitHub or a debloat tool).
Start Mixed Reality Link.
The program briefly opens and then crashes immediately.

Possible Causes

Essential Windows services or components may have been removed or disabled: The debloater may have removed or disabled essential Windows services or components required for Mixed Reality Link to function properly.
Missing registry entries or permissions: The debloater may have deleted or modified registry entries or permissions necessary for Mixed Reality Link to operate correctly.
Unexpected changes to Mixed Reality Portal, OpenXR drivers, or other VR-related services: The debloater may have made unexpected changes to Mixed Reality Portal, OpenXR drivers, or other VR-related services, causing Mixed Reality Link to crash.

Troubleshooting Attempts

Restarted the system → Issue persists

Restarting the system did not resolve the issue, indicating that the problem is not related to a simple system restart.

Reinstalled Mixed Reality Portal from the Microsoft Store → No improvement

Reinstalling Mixed Reality Portal from the Microsoft Store did not improve the situation, suggesting that the issue is not related to the Mixed Reality Portal application.

Reinstalled Virtual Reality Link from the Store → Issue persists

Reinstalling Virtual Reality Link from the Store did not resolve the issue, indicating that the problem is not related to the Virtual Reality Link application.

Reinstalled VR headset drivers → No change

Reinstalling VR headset drivers did not change the situation, suggesting that the issue is not related to the VR headset drivers.

Ran Windows updates → Issue still exists

Running Windows updates did not resolve the issue, indicating that the problem is not related to outdated Windows components.

System Information

OS

Windows 11 (with debloat modifications)

Mixed Reality Portal Version

(2000.21051.1282.0)

VR Headset

(Meta Quest 3)

GPU & Driver Version

(NVIDIA RTX 2070S, Driver 572.60)

Question

Which Windows services or components might be causing the crash? Is there a way to restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link without a full Windows reinstallation?

Logs or Crash Reports

Name of the faulty application

MixedRealityLink.exe

Version

25.2502.28003.0

Timestamp

0x93d61780

Exception code

0xc0000409

Fault offset

0x00000000000af655

ID of the faulty process

0x5C54

Start time of the faulty application

0x1DB90E76E78845C

Path of the faulty application

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MixedRealityLink_25.2.28003.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\DeviceDiscovery\MixedRealityLink.exe

Path of the faulty module

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MixedRealityLink_25.2.28003.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\DeviceDiscovery\MixedRealityLink.exe

Report ID

9959f1a3-2dab-4c25-a157-3880ea1ab18c

Full name of the faulty package

Microsoft.MixedRealityLink_25.2.28003.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

Application ID relative to the faulty package

App

Solutions

Solution 1: Restore Essential Windows Services or Components

If the debloater removed or disabled essential Windows services or components, you can try restoring them manually. This may involve reinstalling the affected services or components or modifying the registry to restore the necessary entries or permissions.

Solution 2: Reinstall Mixed Reality Portal and Virtual Reality Link

Reinstalling Mixed Reality Portal and Virtual Reality Link from the Microsoft Store may resolve the issue. Make sure to uninstall the existing applications before reinstalling them.

Solution 3: Reinstall VR Headset Drivers

Reinstalling VR headset drivers may resolve the issue. Make sure to uninstall the existing drivers before reinstalling them.

Solution 4: Run System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

Running SFC and DISM may resolve the issue by repairing corrupted system files and components.

Solution 5: Perform a System Restore

Performing a system restore to a previous point in time when Mixed Reality Link was working properly may resolve the issue.

Solution 6: Reinstall Windows 11

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reinstall Windows 11 to restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link.

Conclusion

Introduction

Mixed Reality Link is a crucial application for connecting to virtual reality (VR) headsets on Windows 11. However, some users have reported that after running a Windows 11 debloater, Mixed Reality Link starts briefly but crashes immediately. This issue prevents users from connecting to their VR headsets, making it difficult to enjoy immersive experiences. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this issue.

Q&A

Q: What is a Windows 11 debloater?

A: A Windows 11 debloater is a script or tool that removes unnecessary Windows components, services, and applications to improve system performance and reduce clutter.

Q: Why does Mixed Reality Link crash after running a Windows 11 debloater?

A: Mixed Reality Link may crash after running a Windows 11 debloater due to the removal or modification of essential Windows services or components required for the application to function properly.

Q: What are the possible causes of the Mixed Reality Link crash?

A: The possible causes of the Mixed Reality Link crash include:

Essential Windows services or components may have been removed or disabled.
Missing registry entries or permissions.
Unexpected changes to Mixed Reality Portal, OpenXR drivers, or other VR-related services.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the issue?

A: To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following steps:

Restart the system.
Reinstall Mixed Reality Portal and Virtual Reality Link from the Microsoft Store.
Reinstall VR headset drivers.
Run System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM).
Perform a system restore to a previous point in time when Mixed Reality Link was working properly.

Q: What are the solutions to the issue?

A: The solutions to the issue include:

Restoring essential Windows services or components.
Reinstalling Mixed Reality Portal and Virtual Reality Link.
Reinstalling VR headset drivers.
Running SFC and DISM.
Performing a system restore.

Q: Can I restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link without a full Windows reinstallation?

A: Yes, you can try restoring compatibility with Mixed Reality Link without a full Windows reinstallation by attempting the troubleshooting steps and implementing the solutions.

Q: What if none of the solutions work?

A: If none of the solutions work, you may need to reinstall Windows 11 to restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link.

Q: Can I prevent the issue from occurring in the future?

A: Yes, you can prevent the issue from occurring in the future by being cautious when using Windows 11 debloaters and ensuring that essential Windows services or components are not removed or modified.

Q: What are the system requirements for Mixed Reality Link?

A: The system requirements for Mixed Reality Link include:

Windows 11.
Mixed Reality Portal.
VR headset.
NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.

Q: Can I use Mixed Reality Link with other VR headsets?

A: Yes, you can use Mixed Reality Link with other VR headsets, but you may need to install additional drivers or software.

Conclusion

Mixed Reality Link crashing immediately after a Windows 11 debloater can be a frustrating issue. By understanding the possible causes, attempting the troubleshooting steps, and implementing the solutions, you can restore compatibility with Mixed Reality Link and enjoy immersive VR experiences. If the issue persists, you may need to reinstall Windows 11 to resolve the problem.