Windows with an unpleasant surprise. Some equipment will stop working
Microsoft is changing the way printers are handled in Windows 11. It was announced back in 2023, but it’s coming into effect now. Producers had 2 years to prepare for this. For some users, this may mean that their device will stop working.
Printers in Windows 11
Microsoft announced that printers running on V3 and V4 drivers will soon be unsupported by Windows 11. The system will not be able to install them. Redmond reassures that most devices use more modern solutions, so the problem will affect a relatively small group of users.
This mainly concerns older devices. The biggest problem may be faced by companies or schools where the equipment has not been replaced for a long time. In this case, Microsoft recommends contacting the manufacturer or simply purchasing a new printer or multifunction device.
The change is intended to sort out the mess with printer drivers, which – let’s be honest – are some of the most irritating computer equipment. Old drivers often caused problems and were a threat to user safety.
As of January 15, 2026, manufacturers cannot add new drivers to Windows Update, but they can still update those that are already available there.
From July 1, 2026, the system will prefer built-in Microsoft IPP drivers. In turn, from July 1, 2027, driver updates in Windows Update will be limited to security patches only. This means that all new devices will have to use the drivers built into the system.
