Microsoft is retiring traditional print drivers in favour of a secure, cloud-native printing architecture called Windows Ready Print. At the heart of this shift is Windows Protected Print mode, that disables legacy drivers and enforces the use of secure, class-based alternatives.
What’s changing?
• Built into Windows 11 & CoPilot+ PCs
• Driverless, secure, cloud-friendly
• Uses IPP/Mopria standards
• Supports ARM devices like Surface Pro
• Extendable architecture powered by Print Support Apps (PSAs)
This change is already underway in Windows 11 and will soon become the default across all Windows environments. If your business still relies on legacy drivers, your print queues could stop working overnight.
45% have already implemented secure cloud print job submission and with 56% data loss due to insecure printing practices within the last year (rising to 60% in SMEs), the need to modernise has never been more urgent (Quocirca Global Print Security Landscape 2025).
With Canon’s readiness tools, secure software solutions and expert support, you can avoid rushed purchases and ensure your print investments align with long-term digital transformation goals.
By eliminating print servers and driver sprawl, simplifying management, reducing support tickets and lowering infrastructure costs.
If your organisation still uses legacy print drivers, your print queues could stop working when Windows Protected Print (WPP) is enforced. Now is the time to assess your environment and plan your transition.
Windows Protected Print (WPP) blocks outdated drivers and only allows secure, class-based alternatives. It strengthens print security by reducing vulnerabilities related to legacy drivers and enforcing modern driver standards.
Promote a security-conscious culture while reducing the risk of mistakes. Canon’s pre-configured security settings simplify set-up and help prevent misconfigurations that could lead to data breaches. By encouraging secure print and scan behaviours, such as PIN-based release and policy compliance, you can build awareness across your organisation and embed security into everyday workflows.
Winning the Keypoint Intelligence BLI Award for 8 consecutive years, uniFLOW Online is a robust, scalable, SaaS solution developed to manage your entire print and scan environment, even in Zero Trust networks. It enables secure printing, advanced scanning, and automated filing from any location and from multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets and BYOD.
Built on Microsoft Azure’s cloud environment, uniFLOW Online is fully compatible with Windows Ready Print. This includes support for Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) class drivers, Universal Print and the Microsoft Virtual Print Class driver with the uniFLOW Online Virtual Printer App.
With easy driver deployment and multiple job submission pathways from one platform, it helps organisations transition smoothly to Windows Protected Print. It also meets the needs of hybrid workforces and modern IT environments.
Learn how a leading Dutch healthcare organisation moved its printing and scanning to the public cloud with Canon.
Smart partnerships that make digital transformation seamless and deliver long-term success.
Modern business doesn’t just happen in one place. That’s why we use 360 hardware security to help you manage risk across your networked print and scan fleet. Don’t let you devices let you down.
Windows Ready Print refers to a new, cloud-first approach to printing that replaces traditional print drivers with secure, class-based alternatives. It includes technologies, such as Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) class drivers, Universal Print and Virtual Print Support App (PSA), designed to simplify print management, improve security and support hybrid work environments.
Think of Windows Ready Print as new print architecture and Windows Protected Print mode as the enforcement switch. Windows Ready Print defines the future of printing in Windows, while WPP encourages organisations to adopt it by disabling outdated drivers. Together, they drive the shift to a more secure, cloud-ready print environment.
Most organisations will be affected, especially if they rely on older print drivers or devices.
ARM-based Windows devices (like those using Snapdragon processors) do not support legacy V3 print drivers at all. They require modern, class-based drivers that are part of Microsoft’s Ready Print. If your users are adopting ARM-based and Copilot laptops or tablets, including devices powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors, your print environment must be compatible with Windows Ready Print.
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Windows Protected Print (WPP) is part of Microsoft’s long-term print security strategy. Disabling it may reintroduce vulnerabilities and require manual reinstallation of previously removed printers.
If your printers rely on legacy V3 drivers, they may stop working when Windows Protected Print (WPP) is turned on. Only printers that support Microsoft’s Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) class drivers, Universal Print, or certified Print Support Apps (PSAs) will continue to function. Canon’s uniFLOW Online supports these standards to ensure compatibility.
Absolutely. Canon’s uniFLOW Online supports secure printing from smartphones, tablets, and personal laptops, making it ideal for hybrid and remote workforces.