Microsoft will make Windows Ready Print the default installation path for newly added, supported printers starting July 1, 2026. The change, affecting Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, accelerates the shift to IPP-based, driverless printing and enforces stricter security defaults that aim to prevent the entire class of vulnerabilities exploited by PrintNightmare.

Windows Ready Print isn't a sudden upheaval. It is the culmination of a years-long strategy to replace legacy print drivers with modern, class-based alternatives. Since 2018, Windows has supported the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and the Mopria standard for driverless printing, but adoption remained optional. That changes in 2026.

What is Windows Ready Print?

Windows Ready Print is a generic name for the OS-level capability that automatically configures a printer without manufacturer-specific drivers. When a supported printer is connected via network or USB, Windows discovers its capabilities through the IPP protocol and installs the appropriate IPP Class Driver. No additional software download is required. The printer is "ready to print" instantly.

The feature builds on the IPP Everywhere and Mopria specifications, which define a common print language and device interaction model. Most printers shipped since 2020 support these standards, either natively or through firmware updates. Leading brands like HP, Brother, Canon, and Epson already have models certified by the Mopria Alliance.

The End of Legacy Print Drivers

For decades, Windows relied on v3 and v4 print drivers that often included kernel-mode components. These drivers were a primary vector for security flaws. PrintNightmare, disclosed in 2021, exposed the danger: a remote code execution vulnerability that allowed attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges through the print spooler. Microsoft has been tightening print spooler security ever since, limiting Point and Print driver installation and requiring admin privileges for certain changes.

Moving to IPP Class drivers eliminates kernel-mode code from the printing pipeline. The IPP Class Driver runs in user mode and is sandboxed with low privileges. It communicates directly with the printer using HTTPS, encrypting print data end-to-end. This reduces the attack surface dramatically.

How IPP Driverless Printing Works

When a user connects a printer, Windows sends an IPP Get-Printer-Attributes request. The printer responds with its capabilities: supported media sizes, duplex, color modes, finishing options, etc. The OS then constructs a logical print queue using the built-in IPP Class Driver. No vendor-specific driver is needed.

For older printers that lack IPP support, Windows will still offer a fallback mechanism, but Microsoft has made clear that the long-term direction is driverless. The Windows Ready Print default pushes users toward IPP where possible.

Enhanced Security Defaults

Starting with the 2026 update, the print spooler will run with stricter access controls. Among the changes:

  • No kernel-mode drivers: Only user-mode class drivers are loaded by default.
  • AppContainer sandboxing: The spooler and any print-related processes are isolated.
  • Mandatory point-and-print restrictions: Users cannot install print drivers from untrusted servers without admin approval.
  • Enhanced RPC security: Remote procedure calls used by the spooler are authenticated and encrypted.

These measures directly block the techniques used in PrintNightmare and similar exploits. Enterprises that still rely on legacy line-of-business applications that inject into the spooler will need to re-architect those workflows.

Impact on Enterprise IT

For IT departments, the shift simplifies printer deployment. No more managing driver packages, testing compatibility with each Windows update, or pushing drivers through Group Policy. Printers become true Plug-and-Play devices.

However, compatibility gaps exist. Not every printer in a typical enterprise fleet speaks IPP. Older multifunction devices, specialized label printers, receipt printers, and high-speed production printers often require vendor-specific drivers. These devices will need firmware upgrades or replacement to be recognized under the new default. Microsoft has indicated that IT admins can override the default through Group Policy or Intune, allowing legacy driver installation where necessary. But the override is intended as a temporary bridge.

Windows Server 2025 gets the same treatment, meaning print servers that share queues will also default to IPP. Administrators should begin testing IPP connectivity with all networked printers now, well before the deadline.

The Path to 2026

Microsoft has already taken preliminary steps. Since Windows 10 version 21H2, the OS includes an option to prefer the IPP Class Driver when adding a printer. On ARM-based Windows devices, only IPP Class drivers are available—v3 and v4 manufacturer drivers were never ported to ARM64. This gave Microsoft real-world telemetry on driverless printing at scale.

In 2023, Microsoft released the Windows Protected Print Mode as an opt-in feature for Windows 11 22H2, which enabled IPP-only printing and removed support for third-party print drivers entirely. The July 2026 deadline essentially turns that opt-in into the default for newly added printers on all Windows 11 installations.

What Should IT Admins Do Now?

  1. Audit your printer fleet: Identify models that support IPP or Mopria. Most printers manufactured after 2018 likely do, but verify. For those that don't, check if a firmware update enables IPP.
  2. Enable IPP in test environments: On Windows 11 test machines, enable the "Use only IPP Class Driver" policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers.
  3. Test critical workflows: Print from legacy applications, test secure print release, accounting software, and any custom print processors. Ensure they work without vendor drivers.
  4. Plan for exceptions: Document all printers that will need the legacy driver override and establish a lifecycle plan to migrate or retire them.
  5. Communicate with vendors: Ask printer manufacturers about their IPP Everywhere roadmaps and Mopria certification status.

The Bigger Picture

The move isn't just about security. It's about modernizing an ancient Windows subsystem that has barely changed since the days of Windows NT. The print spooler's architecture was designed for a world of parallel ports and trusted local networks. Modern zero-trust environments demand a different approach.

Driverless printing also improves user experience. On Windows 11, the IPP add-printer flow takes seconds, with no UAC prompts or driver install dialog. It works the same on Windows 365 Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop, where local driver injection is problematic.

Potential Pitfalls

  • Vendor lock-in fears: Some enterprises worry that IPP standardizes only basic features. In practice, Mopria and IPP Everywhere support a broad range of finishing options, but ultra‑specific features (e.g., stapling position on a particular high‑end device) may require vendor extensions. Microsoft works with the Mopria Alliance to ensure extensions are negotiated cleanly.
  • Network discovery: IPP relies on mDNS for discovery, which may not be enabled across all VLANs in large enterprise networks. IT will need to configure mDNS repeater or rely on Windows Print Server discovery.
  • USB-only printers: Many low-cost consumer printers connect only via USB and may not implement IPP over USB. Those will need legacy drivers until replaced.

Conclusion

July 1, 2026, marks the beginning of the end for legacy Windows print drivers. By making IPP driverless installation the default, Microsoft is tackling a decades‑old attack surface while making printing simpler and more reliable. Forward-looking enterprises should use the time to prepare, ensuring their print infrastructure aligns with a driverless, secure future.