Major Changes Coming to Windows Printing

1. Third-party printer drivers will be replaced by Microsoft’s Internet Printing Protocol. Class drivers as legacy drivers leave support starting in 2025.
2. Organizations need to look for Mopria- and Universal Print-compliant devices when acquiring new printers and multifunction printers, scanners, and faxes.

The movement to Internet Printing Protocol (IPP)-based drivers and Print Support Apps (PSAs) eliminates common attacks on Windows that use drivers and other print components. The first significant changes to Windows Client OS printing in many years eliminate commonly exploited vulnerabilities. However, these changes make obsolete many existing third-party drivers in favor of Microsoft’s IPP Class drivers starting in 2025. The movement to IPP-based drivers and PSAs reduce common printer and spooling elevation and authorization bypass vulnerabilities. Organizations need to look for Mopria- and Universal Print-compliant devices when acquiring new printers and multifunction devices (print, scan, and fax) to avoid acquiring devices that could be obsolete coming in the door.