If you have any old printers in your office, updating Windows and the driver stack might become problematic in the future. Microsoft is slowly moving Windows 11 away from the traditional model of installing printer manufacturers' drivers, instead providing a unified base layer within the operating system itself for host-based compatibility. This change targets legacy v3 and v4 printer drivers and aims to make Windows printing more standardized, secure, and easier to maintain. Since July 1, Windows has also changed its driver ranking so that compatible devices prefer Microsoft's built-in Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) Class Driver. A final stage is scheduled for July 1, 2027, when third-party driver updates will be limited to security fixes. Existing drivers can still be installed manually using packages supplied by manufacturers, provided the manufacturers decide to continue supporting the older driver model.
Microsoft is introducing Windows Protected Print Mode. When enabled, Windows blocks third-party printer drivers and removes printers that rely on them. Microsoft states that this feature will eventually become the default, though no specific date has been announced. Older USB printers face the greatest compatibility concerns, especially models without IPP support. Multifunction devices may also lose manufacturer-specific scanning features. Fortunately, there is no immediate need to replace a working printer, as users can check compatibility under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. They should confirm IPP, IPP over USB, and Mopria support with the manufacturer.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing