Overview of the Policy Change
On January 15, 2024 Microsoft released a non‑security update that officially ends support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 and later. The drivers, first marked as deprecated in September 2023, will no longer be accepted through Windows Update and new submissions are blocked by default.
What This Means for End Users
Users with printers that rely on V3 or V4 drivers may experience installation failures or loss of functionality after the update. Microsoft notes that most modern printers already use newer driver architectures, so the impact will be limited to older hardware.
- Existing drivers already on a system will continue to work until a manual update is required.
- New driver installations via Windows Update are disabled for legacy drivers.
- Updates to existing legacy drivers are evaluated case‑by‑case.
Recommended Actions for Affected Users
If you encounter printer issues after the update, follow these steps:
- Check the printer manufacturer’s website for a newer driver version that targets the Windows 11 print platform.
- Download and install the updated driver manually if it’s not offered through Windows Update.
- Consider upgrading to a newer printer model that supports the modern driver framework.
- Contact the printer vendor for assistance if no updated driver is available.
Impact on Printer Manufacturers
Manufacturers must submit drivers that comply with the new Windows print architecture. Submissions that still use V3 or V4 drivers must go through a manual review process and provide explicit justification for continued support.
Related Developments
Microsoft’s move is part of a broader effort to modernize the Windows print platform, a shift that began with Windows 10 version 21H2, which removed the need for manufacturers to provide separate installers. Other recent tech news includes the end of feature support for GTX 9‑ and 10‑series GPUs in the GeForce 590 driver branch and the transition of the Steam app to 64‑bit‑only on supported systems.