For years, your trusty old printer has been the one piece of hardware that just works—faithfully churning out documents without the constant need for upgrades. However, a major shift in Windows 11 is about to put that reliability to the test, as Microsoft prepares to pull the plug on driver support for millions of legacy devices. It sounds like the beginning of the end for your hardware, but before you start scouting for a replacement or dragging your printer to the curb, there is a silver lining you need to know. While the official end-of-support timeline has begun, your aging machine isn’t destined for the scrap heap just yet. Read on to find out the simple workarounds to keep it alive.
Microsoft retires legacy v3 and v4 printer support
Microsoft is fundamentally changing how Windows interacts with printing hardware, signaling the beginning of the end for traditional, manufacturer-specific drivers. In a post titled “End of servicing plan for third-party printer drivers on Windows,” the company highlights how Windows’ approach to printer drivers has evolved significantly since the era of v3 and v4 devices.
The move is largely driven by the industry-wide adoption of the Mopria standard, which allows devices to communicate via a universal language. According to Microsoft, this advancement effectively eliminates the requirement for hardware brands to develop individual installers or custom utilities for every new model.
The roadmap for Microsoft’s printer driver phase-out
To help users prepare for these changes, Microsoft has outlined a multi-year transition roadmap. This phased approach ensures that users and manufacturers have ample time to migrate to the modern standard.
September 2023 – Initial announcement
Microsoft officially launched its “end of servicing” strategy, notifying the industry that the era of legacy third-party printer drivers was drawing to a close.
January 15, 2026 – No new driver submissions
Starting early 2026, Microsoft will stop publishing entirely new printer drivers to Windows Update for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. While manufacturers can still submit updates for existing drivers already in the system, these will be scrutinized and approved only on a case-by-case basis.
July 1, 2026 – Priority shift to universal drivers
The Windows driver ranking system will be modified to prioritize the “inbox” IPP class driver. This means that even if a third-party driver is present, Windows will automatically prefer its own high-compatibility universal driver to manage print jobs.
July 1, 2027 – The hard cutoff for updates
In the final stage, third-party driver updates will be blocked entirely, with the sole exception of critical security patches. While users can still manually install legacy drivers using a manufacturer’s specific setup file or pull existing ones from Windows Update, no further feature improvements or non-essential fixes will be issued through official Windows channels.
Why your printer will continue to work after 2027
We are already seeing the first signs of this transition, as Microsoft has shifted to a manual, case-by-case review for all printer driver updates on its platform. The definitive turning point arrives on July 1, 2027, when hardware manufacturers will officially lose the ability to distribute new drivers through the Windows Update service.
However, this doesn’t mean your current hardware is headed for the landfill. If you’re worried about your device becoming a paperweight, here is why you can rest easy:
- Legacy access: You will still be able to download and install existing, older driver versions directly through Windows Update even after the cutoff.
- Manufacturer support: If a brand decides to release a non-security update or a specific feature patch, you can still download it directly from the manufacturer’s own website.
- Continued functionality: The hardware itself isn’t being “disabled”—only the delivery method for new software is changing.
Essentially, while the convenience of automatic background updates via Microsoft is winding down, your printer’s ability to function remains intact.