OpenXR VR Guide: Boost Performance & Clarity in X-Plane 12, MSFS 2020/2024, and VR Games
What is OpenXR?
OpenXR is a unified, open standard for Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Instead of relying on separate APIs like Oculus Runtime, SteamVR/OpenVR, or Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), OpenXR provides a single universal interface that lets games communicate directly with your VR headset.
Why OpenXR is Better
- Performance: Cuts out “translation layers” → fewer dropped frames, smoother motion.
- Clarity: Often runs closer to the headset’s true resolution → sharper gauges, readable cockpit labels.
- Compatibility: Works with Oculus/Meta, Reverb G2, Vive, Pimax, Varjo, Quest 2/3, and most modern headsets.
- Future-proof: Adopted by Microsoft, Meta, Valve, HP, Varjo, and many developers as the industry standard.
Alternatives to OpenXR (and Why They’re Slower)
- Oculus Runtime – Optimized for Meta headsets but limited outside Oculus apps.
- SteamVR / OpenVR – Popular but adds extra overhead → lower FPS and softer visuals.
- Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) – Native for Reverb G2, but largely replaced by OpenXR.
👉 Bottom line: If OpenXR is available, it’s usually the best option.
Flight Sim Benefits of OpenXR
🕶️ X-Plane 12
- Supports OpenXR with the
--open_xrflag. - Running in OpenXR instead of SteamVR reduces latency and increases cockpit clarity.
🛫 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 & 2024
- OpenXR is the default runtime.
- Paired with the OpenXR Toolkit, you can apply sharpening, foveated rendering, and frame reprojection for a huge improvement in VR smoothness.
🎮 Other VR Games That Benefit
- DCS World – can use OpenXR for sharper visuals (bypassing SteamVR).
- Half-Life: Alyx – smoother with OpenXR than OpenVR.
- Racing sims like Assetto Corsa Competizione, Automobilista 2, iRacing.
- Elite Dangerous & Star Wars: Squadrons – better cockpit text clarity under OpenXR.
How to Launch X-Plane 12 in OpenXR
By default, X-Plane 12 runs through SteamVR. To switch to OpenXR:
This simple .Bat file can be placed on your Desktop – Works Well and using it myself ATM!
Step 1: Create a .bat file
Open Notepad and paste:
@echo off
REM Launch X-Plane 12 with native OpenXR support
start "" "G:\X-Plane 12\X-Plane.exe" --open_xr
exit
✏️ Change the path "G:\X-Plane 12\X-Plane.exe" if your sim is installed somewhere else.
Step 2: Save the file
- Save as:
Launch_XP12_OpenXR.bat - File type: All Files (not .txt).
- This is super important. You MUST change the file from .TXT to ALL FILES in the lower box when saving.
Step 3: Run it
- Double-click the
.batfile to start X-Plane 12 directly in OpenXR mode.
How to Launch MSFS 2020/2024 in OpenXR.
MSFS already defaults to OpenXR, but you can create a .bat for consistency:
@echo off
REM Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator with OpenXR
start "" "C:\XboxGames\Microsoft Flight Simulator\FlightSimulator.exe" -OpenXR
exit
✏️ Adjust the path if MSFS is installed in a different folder.
For Steam users: replace with your Steam path, e.g."C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MicrosoftFlightSimulator\FlightSimulator.exe"
This ensures MSFS always runs with the OpenXR runtime.
Fine-Tuning VR Performance
1. Supersampling
- Oculus Debug Tool / Tray Tool – set “Pixels Per Display Pixel Override” to 1.3–1.5×.
- SteamVR Per-App Settings – set resolution scaling to 150% or more.
2. Sharpening
- NVIDIA Control Panel → Image Sharpening.
- AMD Adrenalin → Radeon Sharpening.
- MSFS → OpenXR Toolkit CAS (Contrast Adaptive Sharpening).
3. In-Game Graphics
- Textures: High or Ultra.
- Anisotropic Filtering: 16x for crisp runway/taxiway textures.
- Anti-Aliasing: 2x–4x (higher can blur in VR).
- Shadows/Reflections: Lower or off → saves performance without affecting clarity.
Which Headsets Benefit Most?
✅ Biggest gains:
- Meta Quest 2 / Quest 3 (via Air Link, Link Cable, or Virtual Desktop)
- Rift S
- HP Reverb G2 (WMR → OpenXR native)
⚠️ Moderate gains:
- Pimax, Vive, Varjo (still route through SteamVR’s OpenXR runtime, but often better than OpenVR).
OpenXR Troubleshooting Guide
Even with OpenXR enabled, some sims or games might default back to SteamVR or Oculus runtime. Here’s how to solve the most common issues:
1. X-Plane 12 Still Opens in SteamVR
- Double-check you launched with the
.batfile containing--open_xr. - If installed on another drive, confirm the path to X-Plane.exe is correct.
- Make sure SteamVR isn’t set as the forced OpenXR runtime in its settings.
- Optional: Add
--d3d11_vrfor some setups if Vulkan issues appear.
2. MSFS Launches in 2D Instead of VR
- In MSFS settings, make sure VR Mode is bound to a keyboard/joystick shortcut.
- Check that OpenXR runtime is set correctly:
- Oculus → Oculus app → Settings → Beta → “Set as OpenXR Runtime”.
- WMR → OpenXR Developer Tools → Set WMR as active runtime.
- SteamVR → Settings → Developer → Set SteamVR as OpenXR runtime.
3. Poor Performance After Switching to OpenXR
- Reduce supersampling (try 1.2 instead of 1.5).
- Lower in-game shadows/reflections — big FPS drains with little clarity gain.
- Update GPU drivers (NVIDIA/AMD often push VR fixes).
- Close background apps like Discord overlays or browser tabs.
4. Cockpit Text Still Looks Blurry
- Increase Anisotropic Filtering to 8x or 16x in-game.
- Use Image Sharpening in NVIDIA/AMD driver settings.
- For MSFS → Use OpenXR Toolkit CAS Sharpening (start with 80%).
5. Game Doesn’t Detect My Headset in OpenXR
- Make sure your headset software (Oculus, WMR, SteamVR) is running before launching the sim.
- If using Quest 2/3 → enable Oculus Link or Air Link before running the
.bat. - If still failing → temporarily reinstall the OpenXR runtime for your headset.
6. Stutters or Jittery Head Tracking
- Enable ASW / Motion Reprojection (Oculus → Tray Tool; MSFS → OpenXR Toolkit).
- Lock framerate to half refresh rate (e.g., 40fps on an 80Hz Rift S).
- Check USB cable or Link quality (especially on Quest headsets).
✅ With these fixes, most OpenXR issues in X-Plane 12, MSFS, and VR games can be solved quickly.
Final Thoughts
OpenXR is the future of VR simulation and gaming. By switching X-Plane 12 and MSFS into OpenXR mode, you gain:
- Better clarity (readable gauges, sharper textures)
- Lower latency (smoother head movement)
- Improved performance (fewer dropped frames)
Creating a simple .bat launcher makes it easy to ensure your flight sims always start in the most efficient VR mode and the same principle applies to many other VR titles.
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D.
Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years. He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand.
He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.
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