--- title: Getting around HoloLens (1st gen) description: A brief tour of the HoloLens (1st gen) interface ms.assetid: 064f7eb0-190e-4643-abeb-ed3b09312042 ms.date: 9/16/2019 ms.reviewer: jarrettr manager: jarrettr keywords: hololens ms.prod: hololens ms.sitesec: library author: v-miegge ms.author: v-miegge ms.topic: article ms.localizationpriority: high appliesto: - HoloLens (1st gen) --- # Getting around HoloLens (1st gen) Ready to step into the world of holograms? Here's some information to get started. This guide provides an intro to mixed reality, gestures for interacting with holograms, and an intro to Windows Holographic. ## Discover mixed reality On HoloLens, holograms blend with your physical environment to look and sound like they're part of your world. Even when holograms are all around you, you can still see your surroundings, move freely, and interact with other people and objects. We call this experience "mixed reality." The holographic frame positions your holograms where your eyes are most sensitive to detail, and the see-through lenses leave your peripheral vision unobscured. With spatial sound, you can pinpoint a hologram even if it’s behind you. And because HoloLens learns and understands your environment, you can place holograms on and around real objects—and so can your apps and games. So a character in a game might sit down on your sofa, or [space robots could bust out of your walls](https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9nblggh5fv3j). ## Use HoloLens with your hands Getting around HoloLens is a lot like using your smart phone. You can use your hands to manipulate holographic windows, menus, and buttons. Instead of pointing, clicking, or tapping, you'll use your gaze, your [voice](hololens-cortana.md), and gestures to select apps and holograms and to get around HoloLens. When you know these basic interactions, getting around on HoloLens will be a snap. We'll walk you through the basics the first time you use your HoloLens. You'll also find a gesture tutorial on your **Start** menu—look for the Learn Gestures app. ### The hand-tracking frame HoloLens has sensors that can see a few feet to either side of you. When you use your hands, you'll need to keep them inside that frame, or HoloLens won't see them. As you move around, the frame moves with you. ![Image that shows the HoloLens hand-tracking frame](./images/hololens-2-gesture-frame.png) ### Open the Start menu with bloom To open the **Start** menu: 1. Hold your hand in front of you so it's in the gesture frame. 1. Bloom: bring all of your fingers together then open your hand. ![Animation that shows the bloom gesture](./images/hololens-bloom.gif) ### Select holograms with gaze and air tap To select an app or other hologram, air tap it while looking directly at the hologram you're selecting. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Gaze at the hologram you want to select. 1. Point your index finger straight up toward the ceiling. 1. Air tap: lower your finger, then quickly raise it. ![Air-tap gesture animation](./images/hololens-air-tap.gif) ### Select a hologram by using your voice 1. The gaze cursor is a dot that you move around by moving your head. You can use it to target voice commands with precision. 1. Gaze at the hologram that you want to select. 1. To select the hologram, say "Select." ## Holograms and apps Now it's time to put gestures to the test! You'll find your installed apps in the [Start menu](holographic-home.md) and there are more apps for HoloLens (1st gen) in the Microsoft Store. Open the **Start** menu and select an app! Using apps on HoloLens is a little different from on a PC: Some apps use a 2D view and look like other Windows applications. Other apps (immersive apps) use a 3D view and when you launch them, they become the only app you see. When you place an app window or app launcher, it will stay put until you remove it. You can move or resize these holograms in your mixed reality home at any time. ## Move, resize, and rotate apps Moving and resizing apps on HoloLens works a bit differently than it does on a PC. Instead of dragging the app, you'll use your gaze, along with a [gesture](https://support.microsoft.com/help/12644/hololens-use-gestures) or the [clicker](hololens1-clicker.md). You can also rotate an app window in 3D space. > [!TIP] > Rearrange apps using your voice - gaze at an app and say "Face me," "Bigger," or "Smaller." Or have Cortana move an app for you: say "Hey Cortana, move \**app name\** here." ### Move an app Gaze at the app (at the title bar of an app window), and then do one of the following. - Tap and hold to select the app. Move your hand to position the app, and raise your finger to place it. - Select **Adjust**, tap and hold, and move your hand to position the app. Raise your finger to place it, then select **Done**. - Select **Adjust**, click and hold the clicker, and move your hand to position the app. Release the clicker, then select **Done**. > [!TIP] > If you drop apps when you move them, make sure to keep your hand in the gesture frame by following it with your gaze. ### Resize an app Gaze at the app, and then do one of the following. - Gaze at a corner or edge of an app window, and tap and hold. Move your hand to change the app's size, and raise your finger when you're done. - Select **Adjust**. Gaze at one of the blue squares at the corners of the app, tap and hold, then move your hand to resize the app. Raise your finger to release it, then select **Done**. - Select **Adjust**. Gaze at one of the blue squares at the corners of the app, click and hold the clicker, then move your hand to resize the app. Release the clicker, then select **Done**. > [!TIP] > In Adjust mode, you can move or resize any hologram. ### Rotate an app Gaze at the app, and tap and hold with both hands to select it. Rotate the app by keeping one hand steady and moving your other hand around it. When you're done, raise both index fingers. ### Scroll content in an app window Gaze at the content of the app window. Tap and hold and then move your hand slightly upwards or downwards to scroll the content. ## Meet the HoloLens (1st gen) Clicker The [HoloLens (1st Gen) clicker](hololens1-clicker.md) gives you another way to interact with holograms. [Pair it](hololens-connect-devices.md) with your HoloLens and then use it along with your gaze to select, scroll, and more. ## Next steps Congratulations! you're ready to use HoloLens (1st gen). Now you can configure your HoloLens (1st gen) to meet your specific needs. [Connect bluetooth devices like mouse and keyboard](hololens-connect-devices.md) [Learn more about Voice and Cortana](hololens-cortana.md) ### Help! I don't see my holograms If you don’t see holograms that you’ve placed while using HoloLens, here are some things to try: - Make sure that you’re looking in the right area—remember, holograms stay where you left them! - Make sure that you're in a well-lit room without a lot of direct sunlight. - Wait. When HoloLens has trouble recognizing your space, previously placed holograms can take up to a minute to reappear. - If issue persists, you may want to clear out your Holograms storage data in **Settings** > **System** > **Holograms**, then place holograms in mixed reality home again.