Microsoft revealed in a brand new doc that it’s going to not service third-party printer drivers on units that use Home windows OS, together with Windows 11.
In accordance the article, Microsoft will enable IPP Class Driver and Mopria-compliant print units, the latter of which received native with Windows 10 model 21H2. These will likely be supported as a substitute of manufacturer-made drivers by way of Home windows Replace. Because of this printer producers gained’t have to offer devoted drivers, which is already an enormous profit to them.
On the buyer finish, producers can nonetheless provide print customization by way of Microsoft Retailer apps. Due to the way more streamlined and standardized method to drivers, one other shopper profit is that there will likely be loads of efficiency and reliability enhancements alongside broad compatibility throughout Home windows variations and editions.
The FAQ additionally particulars that Mopria certification will likely be a compulsory requirement for HLK ({Hardware} Lab Package). It ensures printers will likely be appropriate with different units, together with PCs, smartphones, tablets, and extra: one other profit for consumers who gained’t must test compatibility themselves.
In fact, Microsoft has a deliberate timeline to slowly faze out v3 and v4 third-party driver assist, which can happen over a number of years till 2027. Beneath you’ll be able to see the total timetable.
| Timeline | Plan |
| September 2023 | Announce legacy third-party printer driver for Home windows finish of servicing plan. |
| 2025 | No new printer drivers will likely be printed to Home windows Replace. Current printer drivers on Home windows Replace can nonetheless be up to date. |
| 2026 | Printer driver rating order modified to all the time desire Home windows IPP inbox class driver. |
| 2027 | Aside from security-related fixes, third-party printer driver updates will not be allowed. Current third-party printer drivers might be put in from Home windows Replace or customers can set up printer drivers utilizing printer manufactures installer applications. |
It’s essential to notice that even when the switchover is full, consumers will nonetheless have entry to any current third-party drivers. This implies your outdated printer that’s nonetheless kicking gained’t be rendered ineffective as soon as assist ends and solely first-party drivers are up to date.
Home windows 11 continues to be unhealthy
This transfer is totally the proper determination from Microsoft, as first-party drivers make set up and upkeep a lot less complicated. I recall my very own complications monitoring down and putting in outdated drivers for my Brother printer; having the choice to simply use one from Microsoft would have saved me loads of hassle.
That mentioned, it will be good if Microsoft could possibly be so thoughtful relating to actually anything involving Windows 11. As an example, its obsession with getting users to upgrade to Windows 11 is annoying at greatest and downright enraging at worst. Additionally the tons of bloatware included with pre-built PCs and laptops, the aggressive advertisements within the Begin Menu, the favored options in earlier variations that have been dropped in Home windows 11, and so forth.
And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg, with plenty more issues and problems which have been plaguing the OS. Guess you’ll be able to’t win all of them. And even most of them.
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