For decades, printing required a dizzying mix of drivers, downloads, and IT interventions. But a new chapter is underway—and it’s driverless.
Driverless printing refers to the ability to print without needing to install proprietary printer drivers for every device or model. Instead, modern print platforms like the Android Default Print Service and Windows’ Mopria-compatible Protected Print Mode rely on universal print standards. The result? Faster setup, seamless compatibility, better security—and fewer headaches for end users and IT teams alike.
Why It Matters Now
Microsoft’s announcement to end support for third-party print drivers by 2027 marks a major milestone in this shift. The transition to a modern, secure, and driverless print ecosystem is well underway—and not just for Windows users. Mobile platforms like Android have long embraced this model, thanks in part to the print and scan ecosystem developed by the Mopria Alliance—first launched 12 years ago this month.
This evolution impacts everyone:
- Businesses and IT departments benefit from fewer support tickets, lower admin overhead, and tighter security.
- Students and remote workers gain fast, reliable access to printers wherever they are.
- Home users can skip the hassle of searching for the right driver.
With more than 120 million Mopria certified printers in circulation and support embedded into leading platforms, driverless printing is no longer a vision of the future—it’s a reality today.
Member Insights: “How is your company preparing to transition customers toward driverless printing?”
We asked Mopria Alliance members to share how they’re supporting this transition, from innovating hardware and firmware to simplifying user education and enhancing print security.
1. How does the move to driverless printing and Windows Protected Print Mode affect print workflows?
“For over 30 years, the printer landscape has been dominated by HP PCL and Adobe PostScript. Printer manufacturers have included support for these “Printer Description Languages” (PDLs) in their printers. Traditionally, printer drivers have existed to create these (or other) PDLs in a format compatible with individual manufacturers, allowing them to be consumed by compatible printers.
With the advent of Mopria’s Print Specification and the implementation of driverless printing compatible with Mopria Certified printers (such as Microsoft’s IPP Class drivers required by Windows Protected Print mode, and print services on Android), the creation of the printer languages has been standardized. The Mopria print specification supports the use of PDF, PCLm, and pwg-raster: PDF for high-quality document printing and PCLm/pwg-raster as a less sophisticated RGB-based printing solution suitable for entry-level devices.
The PDF standard offers compatibility across printers, laptops, mobile devices, and cloud servers for a myriad of document workflows across industries and use cases. As the original creator of PDF, Adobe is proud to be working with our partners in the world of print and beyond to deliver solutions optimized for PDF printing, including our latest Adobe Embedded Print Engine.”
-Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Strategy & Technology at Adobe
2. How is your company ensuring device compatibility, streamlining software, and aligning with Microsoft’s Protected Print Mode?
“Lexmark is actively addressing device compatibility, software streamlining, and alignment with Microsoft’s Protected Print Mode (WPP) through a multi-pronged strategy that spans various deliveries from software.
- Printer Support App – Lexmark will soon announce support for our products through the delivery of a Printer Support App, which reduces dependency on v3/v4 drivers and enables an integrated print experience with Protected Print Mode enabled.
- Print Management Clients – Lexmark is also updating its print submission clients for secure print release to ensure compliance in a Protected Print Mode-enabled environment.
We want to ensure we meet customers where they are. Whether leveraging existing infrastructure components during the transition or fully implementing Protected Print Mode, we want to provide a seamless and secure print experience.”
-Eric McCann, Manager, Technology Portfolio Architect at Lexmark, a subsidiary of Xerox Corporation
“Canon has been working on developing and releasing products that comply with Mopria standards.
As one of these products, uniFLOW helps an organization’s costs, security, and productivity. uniFLOW has been designed to act as one integrated platform for all print, scan, and device management. This software solution offers several options so that printers and multifunctional devices from different manufacturers can be integrated.
To work with Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform, Canon has released Canon Print Assistant, a free Print Support Application that extends print capabilities beyond what the Internet Printing Protocol Class Driver on the Protected Print Mode can provide alone.”
-Ken-Ichi Takahashi, Digital Printing Business Operations Principal Engineer at Canon
3. What are your insights on customer communication, universal print support across enterprise fleets, and cloud-first printing solutions?
“Canon offers an extensive portfolio of products to help businesses and industries of all types tackle today’s challenges. Whether you need a single desktop printer or scanner, a fleet of networked, enterprise multifunction devices, an ID card and label printer, or a time-saving mailing and fulfillment solution—we have you covered.
uniFLOW’s hybrid technology bridges the gap to the future by combining cloud and on-premise technology for managing printing and scanning processes. For cloud-ready locations, organizations can deploy uniFLOW Online. However, on-premise servers can still be deployed in locations where migration to the cloud is not yet possible.”
-Ken-Ichi Takahashi, Digital Printing Business Operations Principal Engineer at Canon
4. What are your thoughts on integration with secure document workflows and IT admin tools for driverless environments?
“At Kyocera, we believe driverless printing is not just about simplifying the connection between device and printer – it’s about enabling smarter, more secure workflows for the digital workplace. That’s why, in 2022, we announced the first-ever Print Support App, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, marking a milestone in extending seamless driverless printing in Windows environments.
For IT administrators, this means:
- Centralized management: Streamlined deployment across fleets without the burden of managing drivers.
- Security by design: Integration with protected print modes and authentication workflows ensures sensitive information remains secure.
- Compatibility for the future: By aligning with universal standards, we’re ensuring customers avoid disruptions as Microsoft phases out third-party drivers.
For users, it means printing ‘just works’ – whether they’re in the office, at home, or on the move. That’s the kind of frictionless experience that defines the modern workplace.”
-Dilinur Wushour, President at Kyocera Document Solutions Development America, Inc.
5. What are your insights on fleet management, Mopria certified solutions, and reducing print-related service calls?
“Canon’s uniFLOW can ensure full control of the printing fleet by preventing unauthorized use of devices. Where access is granted, all usage can be recorded for later reporting and auditing.
uniFLOW Server has been certified by Mopria since 2020. With the release of uniFLOW 2025 LTS, users can now print from workstations that have enabled Windows Protected Print mode. Without needing to install proprietary printer drivers, with universal and secure printing for everyone, Businesses and IT departments benefit from fewer support tickets.”
-Ken-Ichi Takahashi, Digital Printing Business Operations Principal Engineer at Canon
What’s Next? Embracing the Driverless Future
Driverless printing represents more than just a technology upgrade—it’s a shift toward universal, secure, and frictionless printing for everyone. Whether you’re managing an enterprise fleet, supporting hybrid employees, or just wanting your home printer to work, the future is simpler with driverless printing.
Want to learn more? Start here:
- Windows Protected Print Mode: A Secure and Future-Proof Printing Solution
- The Benefits of Driverless Printing
- Optimize Your Print Infrastructure with Mopria Universal Print Technology
- Explore Mopria’s Print for Business Resources
Let’s print—without limits.
Mopria Alliance | Print. Scan. Go.
