What the switch to Windows Ready Print means for IT teams and their printer fleet
Microsoft is phasing out legacy printer drivers. From 1 July 2026, Windows will automatically favour its in-house IPP driver over manufacturer software from Kyocera, Canon, HP, Ricoh or Konica Minolta for new printer installations. The underlying security mode is called Windows Protected Print Mode, and the supporting platform has borne the new name Windows Ready Print since June 2026. From July 2027, Microsoft will only maintain legacy drivers in the event of security vulnerabilities. For IT departments with established printer fleets, this means checking now which devices are affected before a Windows update takes the decision out of their hands.
Windows Protected Print Mode and Windows Ready Print: two names, one system
Windows Ready Print is the name introduced by Microsoft in June 2026 for the new printing platform. It is based on the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and the eSCL scanning standard, and replaces the traditional driver-based printing route.
Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP) is the strict evolution of this: when the mode is active, Windows exclusively allows Windows Ready Print. Third-party drivers are uninstalled and cannot be reinstalled as long as WPP remains active.
In short: Windows Ready Print is the new standard way, and Windows Protected Print Mode is the switch that completely turns off the old way.
Why Microsoft is phasing out the legacy printer driver
Traditional printer drivers run with extensive system privileges. A compromised driver doesn't just jeopardise the print job, but the entire machine. That is precisely what was demonstrated in 2021 by the PrintNightmare security vulnerability (CVE-2021-34527) in the Windows print spooler, which left millions of systems vulnerable.
Windows ReadyPrint strips drivers of these rights. Windows communicates directly with the printer via IPP, without driver software that manufacturers have to maintain, Windows has to distribute and IT departments have to keep up to date.
The schedule at a glance: What has applied since January 2026
The transition is taking place in stages, not overnight:
| date | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| October 2024 | Windows Protected Print Mode will be available with Windows 11 24H2, manually activatable |
| 15 January 2026 | Microsoft is no longer accepting new v3/v4 printer drivers into Windows Update (Windows 11 / Server 2025+) |
| June 2026 | Microsoft renames the Modern Print Platform to „Windows Ready Print” |
| 1 July 2026 | Driver hierarchy flips: Windows automatically prefers the IPP inbox driver during new installations |
| July 2026 (article current as of) | Windows Ready Print is standard on new installations, WPP itself remains optional / disabled |
| July 2027 | Third-party driver updates only for security vulnerabilities |
| As things currently stand (July 2026), Windows Protected Print Mode itself remains disabled by default. Enterprises actively enable the mode, mostly via Group Policy. |
As things currently stand (July 2026), Windows Protected Print Mode itself remains disabled by default. Enterprises actively enable the mode, mostly via Group Policy.
Is your printer fleet compatible?
Windows Ready Print works with Mopria-certified printers. Over 120 million devices across more than 9,500 models are already certified, with Kyocera, Canon, HP, Ricoh and Konica Minolta all belonging to the Mopria Alliance.
Compatible does not automatically mean fully compatible: scan, fax and finishing functions must also be accessible via IPP or eSCL. With older or basic entry-level devices, this is often not the case.
A manufacturer list alone is enWindows Ready Print works with Mopria-certified printers. Over 120 million devices from more than 9,500 models are already certified, and Kyocera, Canon, HP, Ricoh and Konica Minolta all belong to the Mopria Alliance.
Compatible does not automatically mean fully compatible: scan, fax and finishing functions must also be accessible via IPP or eSCL. With older or basic entry-level devices, this is often not the case.
A manufacturer's list alone is therefore not enough. What is needed is an inventory of one's own fleet, model by model, function by function.
Three steps to the planned transition
- Fleet analysis: capture all devices, check IPP/eSCL compatibility, identify necessary action.
- Migration plan: determine which devices stay, which are replaced or upgraded, and in what order.
- Implementation and testing: enable Windows Ready Print and WPP in a controlled environment before the production rollout begins.
Genius Bytes makes this check vendor-agnostic, equally for Kyocera, Canon, HP, Ricoh and Konica Minolta fleets.
FAQ
Questions about WPPM
What is the difference between Windows Protected Print Mode and Windows Ready Print?
Windows Ready Print is the new driverless printing platform from Microsoft (introduced June 2026), based on IPP and eSCL. Windows Protected Print Mode is the security layer above it that completely blocks legacy drivers.
Is Windows Protected Print Mode currently (as of July 2026) standard?
No. WPP remains optional and disabled by default. Windows Ready Print, on the other hand, has been automatically preferred for new printer installations since 1 July 2026.
Which printers are compatible with Windows Ready Print?
Mopria-certified devices. This affects most models from major manufacturers from around 2018–2020 onwards, while older or very budget-friendly devices often only have limited support.
What happens to existing printer drivers when WPP is enabled?
Third-party drivers are uninstalled and removed from the driver store. They cannot be used again until WPP is disabled.
By when do companies need to act?
There is no hard end date for third-party drivers yet, but from 1 July 2027 Microsoft will only maintain them for security vulnerabilities. Anyone who has not checked by then risks outages following a Windows update.
