COMPARE
MeshMarkup vs Microsoft 3D Viewer
Microsoft retired 3D Viewer this year: it was deprecated in February 2026 and removed from the Microsoft Store on 1 July 2026. Copies already installed keep working, but you can’t download it any more, and Windows 11 never came with it. MeshMarkup’s free viewer opens 3D files in any browser, and you can send a model to someone for their notes.
Checked against Microsoft 3D Viewer’s own site on 28 October 2026. Products change; follow the sources below before you decide.
- Can you still get it?
- MeshMarkupYes, in any web browser, nothing to install
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNo: “removed from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026”. Existing installations keep working
- What it’s for
- MeshMarkupOpening 3D files, and sending them to someone for feedback and sign-off
- Microsoft 3D ViewerViewing 3D files on your own Windows PC
- Sharing with someone else
- MeshMarkupOne link. No account and nothing to install; they type their name once
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNot described on Microsoft’s pages
- Notes
- MeshMarkupPinned to the exact spot on the model, answered and resolved
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNot described on Microsoft’s pages
- Sign-off
- MeshMarkupThe client approves on the record, with their name and the date (Solo and up)
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNot described on Microsoft’s pages
- File formats
- MeshMarkupGLB, glTF, FBX, OBJ, STL, PLY, DAE, STEP, IGES, Rhino 3DM, 3MF and 3DS, plus JPG, PNG, WebP and PDF
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNot listed on Microsoft’s pages
- Free
- MeshMarkupThe free viewer: no account, files up to 1 GB. A free account keeps 3 new models every 30 days, 50 MB
- Microsoft 3D ViewerNo longer available to download
Choose Microsoft 3D Viewer if
- it’s already installed on your Windows 10 PC and you only need a quick look at a file
Choose MeshMarkup if
- you’re on Windows 11, a Mac or a Chromebook, and can’t install 3D Viewer
- you want to open a STEP, IGES or Rhino file without installing anything
- you want to send the model to someone and get their notes back