Microsoft has confirmed that Windows will stop offering third-party printer drivers. The tech giant has announced it will begin ending support. drivers these devices via Windows Update, so Manufacturers should offer alternative means to download and install these files on the operating system.
Although at first glance the solution seems radical, the truth is that few companies offer their drivers the old way. The Mopria Alliance, created in 2013 by Canon, HP, Samsung and Xerox, has played a critical role in creating a universal standard for devices such as scanners and printers. Over the years, companies such as Lexmark, Brother, Epson, or Microsoft itself have teamed up and developed a library that provides support for a wide range of hardware.
“With the release of Windows 10 21H2, Windows offers support for Mopria-compatible printing devices through network and USB interfaces,” Microsoft announced on its support website. “This eliminates the need for print device manufacturers to provide their own installers, drivers, utilities, etc.” Because This is a significant change.The tech company will split it into four phases that will last four years.
According to the Microsoft calendar, Starting in 2025, new printer drivers will no longer be published to Windows Update.. While companies will be able to submit them for review, WHCP signed drivers will no longer be offered after the selected date.
It’s important to note that Windows will not prevent you from installing printer drivers.. It will simply remove them from Windows Update, so the manufacturer will have to offer an additional installer.
Windows hammers the final nail into the coffin of printer drivers
One of most common reviews for the Microsoft operating system is its dependence on past technologies. Although Windows 11 has undergone a facelift, it is still possible to find access to old features such as Windows 7 Backup and Backup or Disk Manager. The Control Panel refuses to die and many applications retain their original Windows 2000 layout.
Old guard users, mainly corporate and government customers, carry significant weight for the company. It’s because of this Microsoft postpones radical changes and has taken the position that he is gradually eliminating options. The tech company is not only adding features to its major updates, but also gets rid of applications that no longer have a reason to exist in the operating system.
The most recent case – Word Pad, an application that has remained in Windows for over 30 years and will disappear completely in the next version. The same will happen with Cortana, the first version of Edge, Windows to Go, or TLS 1.0 and 1.1 support. All of them are in the list and will not return in future versions of the operating system.
The curious thing about printer drivers is that hundreds of thousands of installation manuals will become obsolete. If you’ve ever looked for a solution to a specific Windows problem, you’ve noticed that the main tip is to update the driver using Windows Update. The decision to abandon them will take us back to the days of cavemen, when we used third-party software that generated more blue screens than printed pages.
Although Windows will no longer offer third-party drivers, Microsoft will continue to release security updates.
Source: Hiper Textual
I am Garth Carter and I work at Gadget Onus. I have specialized in writing for the Hot News section, focusing on topics that are trending and highly relevant to readers. My passion is to present news stories accurately, in an engaging manner that captures the attention of my audience.
