By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Beginning January 15, Microsoft has ceased support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers in Windows 11 as part of a broader initiative to modernize the Windows print platform. This means new installations of these older drivers via Windows Update are blocked, and existing ones will only be updated on a case-by-case basis. While most users with newer printers will be unaffected, those relying on legacy drivers may encounter installation or functionality issues and are advised to contact their printer manufacturer for support or consider upgrading their printing solution. This shift aims to improve servicing and security by placing the responsibility for legacy hardware support back with manufacturers and signals a move towards more streamlined, secure printing solutions like the IPP class driver and Windows Protected Print Mode.
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Microsoft’s recent decision to purge older printer drivers from Windows 11 is causing a stir, effectively putting millions of legacy printers on borrowed time and signaling their impending extinction. This move, which involves stopping the distribution of V3 and V4 drivers through Windows Update, has ignited frustration among users who feel compelled to discard perfectly functional hardware and purchase new devices. It’s a familiar narrative for many, harkening back to previous instances where Microsoft seemingly dictated hardware obsolescence.
At its core, printing relies on translating data from applications into a format that a printer can understand. Modern printers, especially laser printers, are capable of interpreting a wide array of these formats. Historically, Postscript and PCL have been the dominant printer languages. When a printer driver is developed, it acts as a translator, converting instructions from an application, such as “draw a blue box here with white text,” into commands the printer can process. These are known as “V3 drivers.” Printer manufacturers traditionally developed these drivers, with Microsoft contributing a smaller portion of the code, typically around 10%.
The quality of these manufacturer-developed drivers has been a mixed bag over the years. Developing robust driver code is a complex undertaking due to the sheer number of scenarios that need to be accounted for. Unfortunately, some poorly written drivers have historically led to system instability, even causing the Windows printing subsystem to crash, particularly problematic on print servers where one faulty driver could disrupt printing for all users. Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance printing reliability are commendable in theory, but challenging in practice.
Microsoft’s attempt to introduce its own printer data format, XPS, and its associated drivers, known as “V4 drivers,” proved to be a significant misstep. This initiative, which largely ignored established industry standards, involved a substantial development effort that yielded little benefit for end-users. While Microsoft provided the core driver functionality, customization options were significantly limited compared to V3 drivers, making many advanced features difficult or impossible to implement. This resulted in a situation where the combined development effort exceeded 100%, highlighting the inherent flaws in the XPS approach. Ultimately, Microsoft acknowledged the shortcomings of XPS and moved on.
Now, Microsoft is shifting its focus to IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), a more promising and widely accepted standard. While a core Microsoft driver still exists, printer manufacturers are expected to develop extensions for customization, with the overarching goal of improving the end-user experience. However, Microsoft is removing V3 and V4 drivers from Windows Update to encourage this migration to IPP. For businesses, V3 drivers will likely remain available directly from printer manufacturers for the foreseeable future, and individual users can also obtain them from manufacturer support websites.
For basic printing needs, IPP is expected to be adequate, much like XPS was for its intended purpose. However, for users who rely on advanced features such as fine-grained color control or precise stapling options, V3 drivers may still be necessary. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft’s IPP implementation will eventually support the comprehensive feature sets that printer manufacturers have historically provided.
The question arises whether users can simply download and install their own drivers directly from the manufacturer, bypassing the need for Microsoft’s distribution. The performance of manufacturer-provided drivers has often been criticized, with some users experiencing issues even with their Windows 10 printer spooler. This raises concerns about the future of printer support, with some speculating whether printer manufacturers are being pushed by Microsoft to discontinue support for older printers, perhaps in an effort to drive new hardware sales.
Many users express a desire to move away from Windows altogether, pointing to Linux distributions as viable alternatives. Anecdotes abound of older printers working seamlessly with Linux out-of-the-box, often with minimal configuration. The argument is made that for those not heavily reliant on Windows-specific software, Linux offers greater control and longevity for hardware. This sentiment is echoed by users who have successfully kept legacy devices like scanners functioning for decades on Linux systems, even after manufacturers abandoned support for Windows.
The transition to IPP, while a step forward for standardization, does raise concerns for users who depend on the advanced features often found in V3 drivers. The removal of these drivers from Windows Update, coupled with the ongoing push towards newer operating systems like Windows 11, creates a scenario where older, yet still functional, printers could become obsolete. This practice, perceived by some as forcing unnecessary upgrades, fuels a growing dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s approach to hardware support. The hope is that manufacturers will continue to provide V3 drivers directly, allowing users to extend the life of their existing printers, rather than contributing to electronic waste.