Open3D Viewer vs Microsoft 3D Viewer
Open3D Viewer is the free replacement for Microsoft 3D Viewer, which Microsoft retired from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026. Same double-click workflow, same file formats, plus CAD formats Microsoft never supported.
What happened to Microsoft 3D Viewer
Microsoft removed 3D Viewer from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026 as part of its rollback of the Windows Mixed Reality suite. Users who had it preinstalled can keep the copy they have, but Microsoft no longer publishes updates and it cannot be freshly installed. On a new Windows 11 machine, double-clicking a .stl or .glb file now shows "no app associated with this file" instead of opening the model.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Microsoft 3D Viewer | Open3D Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Opens .stl / .glb / .obj / .fbx / .ply / .3mf | Yes | Yes |
| Opens .step / .stp / .iges / .igs | No | Yes |
| Opens .dxf | No | Yes |
| Walk-through mode | No | Yes |
| Point-to-point measurement | Limited | Yes, in real-world units |
| Cross-section (clipping plane) | No | Yes, draggable on any axis |
| HDRI environment lighting | No | Yes |
| Screenshot capture | Yes | Yes |
| Rotating GIF capture | No | Yes |
| Runs in a web browser | No | Yes — open3d.app |
| Android + iOS versions | No | Yes |
| AR view (place at real scale) | Limited (mixed reality only) | Yes, via ARCore / ARKit |
| Cost | Free (discontinued) | Free |
| Signup required | Microsoft account | Never |
How to restore the double-click 3D file workflow on Windows
- Install Open3D Viewer from the Microsoft Store.
- Right-click any .stl, .glb, .obj, .fbx, .step, .dxf or other 3D file in File Explorer.
- Pick Open with → Choose another app → Open3D Viewer → Always.
- Every 3D file with that extension now opens in Open3D on double-click, exactly like the old Microsoft 3D Viewer.
What Open3D adds beyond a Microsoft 3D Viewer replacement
CAD formats — .step, .stp, .iges, .igs, .dxf. Useful when a vendor emails you a CAD file and you don't have Fusion 360 installed.
Walk-through mode — for architectural GLBs (rooms, houses, floor plans). Step inside with WASD + mouse look on desktop, joystick on mobile.
Print-readiness sniff test — for STL / OBJ / 3MF files headed to a 3D printer. Manifold check, overhang count, bed fit for Bambu A1, Prusa MK4, Ender 3 and Bambu X1C.
Cross-platform — same viewer runs on Windows, Android, iOS and in the browser. Send a .step link to a colleague on a Mac and they can open it without installing anything.
FAQ
What is the free replacement for Microsoft 3D Viewer?
Open3D Viewer. It opens the same file formats (STL, GLB, OBJ, FBX, PLY, 3MF) plus CAD formats Microsoft never supported (STEP, IGES, DXF). Available on the Microsoft Store, Android, iOS and directly in a browser at open3d.app.
Why did Microsoft remove 3D Viewer?
Microsoft retired 3D Viewer from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026 as part of the broader Windows Mixed Reality deprecation. Existing installs still work; new installs are not possible.
Can I still get Microsoft 3D Viewer somehow?
Not from official sources — Microsoft removed the Store listing and no longer signs updates. Third-party mirrors exist but are unsigned and not recommended. Open3D Viewer is the safer route: same functionality, signed by an active publisher, kept current on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.
Does Open3D Viewer work on Windows 10?
Yes. Windows 10 (1809+) and Windows 11. Same MSIX package covers both.
Is Open3D Viewer really free, no ads or paywall?
Yes. The Windows app shows no ads and has no premium tier. Same free-as-in-beer model as Microsoft 3D Viewer.
Will my file associations from Microsoft 3D Viewer transfer to Open3D?
No — Windows treats them as separate apps. You need to re-associate the file types manually: right-click a .stl file → Open with → Choose another app → Open3D → Always. Same for other formats.