Good news for owners of older printers: a recent Microsoft update indicates that support for legacy printer drivers will continue in Windows 11, reversing an earlier communication that caused confusion among users. The company has acknowledged an “inaccuracy” in previously published documentation suggesting the end of support for V3 and V4 printer drivers.
The initial announcement, detailed in a roadmap published several weeks ago, indicated that Windows 11 would cease support for these older drivers – V3 dating back to Windows Vista and V4 to Windows 8. This sparked concern that a significant number of older printers would become unusable. However, Microsoft has since clarified that This represents not the case.
“Windows has not ended support for legacy printer drivers,” Microsoft stated. “If your printer works with Windows today, it will continue to work and no action is required.”
While the complete cessation of support has been averted, Microsoft will be adopting a more cautious approach to approving new submissions of these older drivers. Drivers submitted to the Windows Hardware Quality Labs will be approved on a “case-by-case” basis. This suggests that while existing functionality will be maintained, expanding support for older hardware will become more difficult.
The decision to continue supporting V3 and V4 drivers acknowledges the practical realities of the installed base of printers. Many users still rely on older hardware and forcing an upgrade simply isn’t feasible for everyone. However, Microsoft also notes that these older drivers represent a potential security risk. V3 drivers, in particular, have access to lower layers of the operating system, which could be exploited by attackers if vulnerabilities are discovered. The continued support, represents a balance between usability and security.
This reversal comes as Microsoft has been actively pushing for a more standardized printing experience. With the release of Windows 10 21H2, the company introduced native support for Mopria-compliant printers via the Microsoft IPP Class Driver. This driver allows printers to connect over network and USB interfaces without requiring manufacturers to provide custom installers or drivers. The Mopria Alliance, founded by companies like Canon, HP, Samsung, and Xerox, aims to establish universal standards for printing and scanning. The move towards a universal driver is intended to improve reliability, performance, and simplify the printing experience for users.
The shift to the IPP Class Driver and Mopria standards is part of a broader effort to modernize the Windows printing architecture. Microsoft aims to move customization away from the traditional Win32 framework and towards the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which is designed to be more secure and reliable. This also reduces the burden on printer manufacturers, who no longer need to constantly update and maintain separate drivers for each Windows version.
However, the transition isn’t without its challenges. Not all printers are Mopria-compliant, and users with older or less common printers may still rely on third-party drivers. Microsoft’s decision to continue supporting these drivers, albeit with increased scrutiny, acknowledges this reality. The company will continue to sign new printer drivers through its Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, but after , these drivers will no longer be added to Windows Update.
The original timeline, announced in , indicated that no new printer drivers would be published to Windows Update starting in , for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 and later. While that date remains in effect for new driver submissions, the continuation of support for existing drivers provides a degree of reassurance for users concerned about compatibility.
Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to limit updates to printer drivers in Windows Update to security-related fixes starting in . This suggests that feature enhancements or bug fixes for older drivers will become increasingly rare. The company has also noted that the dates are subject to change, acknowledging the complexities of managing a diverse ecosystem of printing hardware.
Microsoft’s revised approach to legacy printer drivers represents a pragmatic compromise. While the company is clearly focused on transitioning to a more modern and standardized printing architecture, it recognizes the need to maintain compatibility with existing hardware and avoid disrupting users who rely on older printers. The continued support, coupled with the ongoing development of the IPP Class Driver, aims to strike a balance between innovation and usability in the Windows printing ecosystem.
