Is Your Printer Fleet Ready for Microsoft’s New Protected Print Mode?

Microsoft is changing the way printing works on Windows PCs and businesses need to prepare. With the introduction of Windows Protected Print Mode (WPPM), legacy print drivers are being phased out in favor of a more secure, simplified, and standardized printing experience. While this update strengthens security and reduces IT complexity, it may also disrupt older or non-compliant printers.

What Is Windows Protected Print Mode (WPPM)?

Windows Protected Print Mode is a new setting in Windows that exclusively uses the modern print stack. Once enabled, third-party print drivers are removed, and only Mopria-certified devices are supported. Microsoft recommends enabling WPPM for all enterprise users because it:

• Enhances security by eliminating driver vulnerabilities.
• Simplifies IT management by removing the need to maintain drivers.
• Provides a consistent print experience across all Windows devices.
  
  

WPPM’s Risks for Businesses

While the benefits are clear, organizations may face challenges:

• Legacy Device Incompatibility: Printers not Mopria-certified will be uninstalled.
• Feature Gaps: Certain advanced workflows (such as scanning, faxing, or production print) may not be fully supported.
• Disruption During Transition: Without planning, teams may lose print access when IT enforces WPPM.

Industry experts have already flagged that driverless printing is a double-edged sword: it simplifies administration but may break workflows tied to proprietary drivers. Gartner has also noted that driverless and cloud print technologies are accelerating modernization cycles in enterprise print environments.

How Green Office Partner Can Help

We specialize in ensuring our clients stay ahead of these technological shifts. Our services are built around secure, efficient, and sustainable print environments:

• Managed Print Services: We optimize your fleet, ensure device compatibility, and minimize IT overhead.
• Fleet Compatibility Assessments: We evaluate which of your devices are Mopria-ready and identify risks.
• Secure Transition Planning: We help design a rollout strategy that avoids business disruption.
• Document Management & Digital Workflow Solutions: If legacy scanning or fax features are lost, we replace them with secure, modern workflow automation platforms like DocuWare.
• Hardware Upgrades: If your fleet includes non-compliant devices, we provide Mopria-certified options from trusted OEM partners Xerox and HP.

What Businesses Should Do Now to Manage WPPM

Windows Protected Print Mode is optional today, but Microsoft has signaled it will become the default print mode in future releases by 2027. The time to prepare is now.

• Audit your print fleet for Mopria certification.
• Develop a plan to upgrade or replace legacy devices.
• Ensure security, compliance, and workflow continuity with a managed approach.

Take the Next Step

Don’t wait until your team is locked out of printing. GOP offers Windows Protected Print Mode Readiness Assessments to evaluate your current environment and plan a seamless transition.