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Windows Protected Print (WPP) is a security-focused feature introduced by Microsoft designed to streamline the print experience and elevate security measures within the modern Windows print stack. WPP enhances protection by moving away from traditional print drivers—opting instead for the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), an open standard that uses HTTP-based protocols to communicate with printers. The introduction of WPP marks a shift in how print environments operate, prioritizing security, and compatibility while simplifying management for administrators.
This driverless approach is supported by most Mopria-certified printers, which are already compliant with modern standards that WPP relies on. The transition will be easier for some, and more difficult for others. For businesses and home users that have recently acquired or replaced hardware, the transition will be fairly painless—if you bought a printer in the last few years, then odds are it supports the standards required by WPP. But if you rely on legacy systems to get the job done, then you are about to learn that tech debt always comes due, eventually.
What Are the Pros and Cons for Print Providers with WPP?
WPP presents opportunities and obstacles for print providers. It significantly improves security by eliminating vulnerabilities that were previously associated with third-party print drivers. A key example is the PrintNightmare exploit, where attackers could remotely install malicious programs via the print spooler. By removing the need for third-party drivers and running print jobs with lower privileges, WPP reduces the risk of malware and other exploits.
While this enhanced security is a welcome development, it introduces complications, as well. WPP is an “all-or-nothing” setting, meaning that (once it’s enabled) all legacy drivers are removed from the system. This can cause disruptions for environments where not all printers are fully compliant with the IPP standard. In fact, about 30% of printers may experience functionality issues or degrade in quality when switching to WPP, which requires IT administrators to perform rigorous testing before full implementation.
WPP can also introduce complications with software and applications that intersect with print workflows, such as print management applications. The main reason for this is that WPP introduces a layer of security that can interfere with how these applications interact with printers. For example, WPP may restrict access to certain printer settings or functions that these applications need to perform their tasks. Many new applications—especially those in the cloud—will support IPP. But legacy systems and custom software may not, which will require some reworking. Providers must now consider how to balance supporting older, non-WPP printers and software/applications that aren’t IPP-compatible. This transition phase could lead to increased costs for hardware upgrades, firmware updates, and redevelopment of software, making it a less straightforward move for many organizations.
How WPP Will Impact Office Print and Home Print Environments
In office environments, the impact of WPP is likely to be transformative. Enterprises stand to benefit from the increased security and simplified management WPP offers. Without the need for traditional drivers, administrators no longer need to manage different drivers for each printer across their organization. Instead, the use of IPP ensures that printers communicate directly with the system using standardized, secure protocols.
However, this shift also means that enterprises must invest in modernizing fleets. Models that are not fully compliant with IPP will need to be replaced or upgraded. For many organizations, this transition could be a multi-year process as they gradually replace legacy hardware to meet WPP’s requirements.
For home print environments, the impact of WPP is slightly different. Many modern home printers already support IPP, so users with compatible devices may experience little to no disruption when WPP becomes the default. However, older home printers that do not support IPP may be rendered unusable under WPP. Home users may face the inconvenience of purchasing new printers or dealing with a limited feature set on existing devices if they wish to benefit from WPP’s security advantages.
Additionally, the removal of certain software printers like OneNote (Desktop) and OneNote for Windows 10 under WPP adds another consideration for home and office users. In such cases, users must disable WPP to restore functionality, which can complicate workflows for those relying on these software printers for digital documentation.
Death of the Driver
One of the most significant aspects of WPP is the move away from traditional print drivers. For decades, print drivers have been the intermediary between the operating system and printers, providing instructions on how to manage tasks like finishing options, tray selection, and print quality. However, this model has also introduced security risks, as third-party drivers have been a common vector for malware and other vulnerabilities.
WPP replaces this model by relying on IPP, which allows for advanced printer discovery, job submission, and status tracking without the need for traditional drivers. This not only simplifies the user experience but also reduces the attack surface, as fewer printer document languages (PDLs) need to be processed. By rendering documents on the client side and transmitting them securely to the printer, WPP ensures that the final print job is handled in a way that minimizes the risk of exploits.
The absence of third-party drivers also activates modern security features like Control Flow Enforcement Technology (CET) and Arbitrary Code Guard (ACG), which prevent certain types of attacks. Additionally, tasks like managing the print spooler—which previously ran under high-privilege system accounts—are now handled at the user level, reducing the potential damage caused by bugs or vulnerabilities.
While the move to a driverless environment presents clear advantages, it is not without its trade-offs. Not all printers are fully compliant with WPP’s IPP-based standards, and certain features like advanced finishing options may not work as expected. Organizations that rely on specialized print functions will need to thoroughly test their hardware in WPP mode to ensure full compatibility. Moreover, the transition to IPP may cause slower printing speeds for large documents—especially when printers do not support PDF-based spool files, which WPP relies on.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Windows Protected Print represents a significant shift in how the Windows print stack operates, offering enhanced security, simplified management, and the elimination of traditional print drivers. This move promises to reduce vulnerabilities and streamline print environments by removing third-party drivers, but it also introduces challenges—particularly for print providers and organizations still reliant on legacy systems.
As we look toward the future, the transition to WPP raises important questions: How quickly will organizations be able to upgrade their hardware to meet WPP standards? Will printer manufacturers keep pace with the evolving security requirements, ensuring that all devices can fully integrate with WPP’s IPP-based model? And as the driverless model becomes the new standard, will it continue to evolve to meet the increasing demands for seamless, secure printing in office and home environments? While WPP addresses many of the vulnerabilities of legacy print systems, the road ahead will require careful planning, adaptation, and innovation to truly unlock the full potential of a driverless future.
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