Whether you’re printing important tax documents or family photos, there’s nothing worse than discovering your printer has suddenly stopped working. With Microsoft implementing significant changes to Windows printing by 2027, now is the perfect time to future-proof your home office setup.
The good news? Checking your printer’s readiness takes just a few minutes, and the transition to Microsoft’s new approach actually brings some impressive security and reliability benefits.
Why Microsoft is Modernizing Windows Printing
Microsoft announced that by 2027, Windows will stop distributing traditional third-party drivers. Instead, Windows will rely on its modern print platform called Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP).
This isn’t just a technical change–it’s a security upgrade. According to Microsoft, print-related issues account for 9% of all Windows security problems reported to its Security Response Center. The new approach has already mitigated over half of these vulnerabilities by eliminating many traditional driver-related risks.
The 2 Critical Printer Checks for Every Windows User in 2026
Check #1: Verify Your Printer’s Certification Status
What to do: Check if your printer is Mopria certified for universal compatibility, Mopria certified printers and multi-function printers are already compatible with WPP.
How to check:
- Visit the Mopria Certified Products page
- Search for your printer’s brand and model
- Look for the Mopria certification badge on new printer purchases
What this tells you: Mopria certified printers work seamlessly with both Android and Windows devices without requiring any driver downloads. With over 9,500 certified printer models from major brands, the future is driverless.
The benefit: No more hunting for drivers when you get a new computer, and instant printing capability from phones and tablets.
Check #2: Test Windows Protected Print Mode Compatibility
What to do: Enable Windows Protected Print Mode and test your current printer.
How to check:
- Press Start and go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners
- Scroll to Printer Preferences and select Set up under Windows Protected Print Mode
- Select Yes, continue for all prompts. WPP will automatically uninstall incompatible queues and drivers–this is normal.
- Try printing a test page from any application
What this tells you: If your printer appears and prints successfully, congratulations–you’re already future-ready. If your printer can’t be found when WPP is enabled, it needs to be replaced or updated before 2027 if you’d like to upgrade to WPP.
The benefit: WPP provides enhanced security by operating with reduced privileges, meaning potential attackers can’t gain system-level access through print vulnerabilities.
For a more detailed overview of WPP and how to enable it, see our blog post: Windows Protected Print Mode: A Secure And Future-Proof Printing Solution
What If Your Printer Isn’t Compatible?
Don’t panic. You have several options:
For immediate peace of mind: Many Mopria certified printers are available across all price ranges and feature sets. When shopping for your next printer, look for the Mopria certified badge to ensure long-term capability.
Continue using traditional drivers: Even after 2027, you can still manually install manufacturer-provided drivers, though they won’t receive updates through Windows Update.
Embrace the upgrade: This transition represents an opportunity to modernize your printing setup with enhanced security and universal device capability.
Why This Transition Benefits You
Beyond ensuring your printer keeps working, Windows Protected Print Mode offers several immediate advantages:
- Enhanced security through reduced vulnerability to print-related security issues
- Universal compatibility across different devices and operating systems
- Simplified setup with no driver hunting when you get new devices
- Better reliability through Microsoft’s modern print infrastructure
The shift represents Microsoft’s recognition that printer modernization improves both security and user experience. By adopting these standards now, you’re not just preparing for 2027–you’re upgrading to a better printing experience today.
Taking Action
The transition to driverless printing isn’t something to worry about–it’s the next leap forward in making technology work better for you. By checking your compatibility and understanding your options, you’ll be ready for whatever printing updates next year brings.
Whether you’re printing homework, business reports, or cherished family memories, having a future-ready printer setup means one less tech worry in your life.
Ready to explore certified printer options? Visit the Mopria Certified Products page to find compatible models, or learn more about Windows Protected Print Mode from Microsoft.
