Make Sure You’re Ready: The Print Revolution Is Here

The world of printing is changing, and it’s changing fast.

Microsoft is officially moving away from legacy printer drivers in favour of a modern, secure, cloud-friendly approach. It’s a huge leap forward for security and simplicity, but one wrong move could leave your print infrastructure in chaos.

That shiny new “Windows Protected Print” button? It might look tempting, but pressing it without a plan could wipe out your entire print environment.

What’s Changing - and Why It Matters

Microsoft Modern Print Platform

• Built into Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs
  
  
• Driverless, secure, and cloud-friendly
  
  
• Based on IPP/Mopria standards
  
  
• Supports ARM devices like the Surface Pro
  
• Uses Print Support Apps (PSAs) for flexibility
  

In short: legacy print drivers are gone. This is the new era of seamless, universal printing.

Windows Protected Print

When enabled, this feature removes all legacy printer drivers and ports - permanently.
No traditional drivers. No exceptions. It’s set to become the default print mode in the near future.

So before you press that button, take a step back and understand your print landscape, especially if you rely on host-based systems or application-specific drivers.

Microsoft Universal Print

• Fully cloud-based through Microsoft 365
  
• Enables zero-trust segmentation
  
  
• Managed entirely in Azure
  
  
• Requires Universal Print-ready devices
  
  

Powerful, yes - but setup requires care to avoid losing essential functionality.

Why Microsoft’s Move Matters

Legacy printer drivers have long been a weak point in IT security. They operate at high admin levels, giving attackers an easy target.

Microsoft’s goal is clear: eliminate insecure, manufacturer-specific drivers and move towards a unified, protected, and cloud-integrated print experience.

That’s great news for IT leaders, but only if you plan your transition properly.

Before You Press the Button

Here’s your readiness checklist:
 ✅ Audit your current print environment
 ✅ Map your applications and dependencies
 ✅ Plan your migration strategy
 ✅ Choose Microsoft Modern Print-ready solutions
 ✅ Use uniFLOW Online for a smooth, secure transition

uniFLOW Online: Your Safety Net

When it comes to cloud print management, uniFLOW Online stands out as the bridge between old and new. We can provide this solution and talk you through the details, but here are the key benefits:

• Fully compatible with Microsoft Modern Print and Windows Protected Print
  
  
• Driverless cloud printing via Microsoft Store app
  
• Seamless integration with Universal Print
  
  
• Still works after pressing the button
  
  
• Automated updates for long-term reliability
  
• Full print audit, reporting and budget control
  
  
• Visual dashboard for printer status
  
• Integrations with OneDrive, SharePoint and Google Drive
  
  
• User authentication via Microsoft 365 or Azure AD
  
  

One driver. One solution. Total control.

The Takeaway

Microsoft’s new print ecosystem promises speed, security and simplicity - but it demands readiness. Press the button too soon, and you could lose more than your drivers.

Plan your migration right, and you’ll unlock a future-proof, cloud-native print experience that’s faster, safer, and smarter.

The future of printing is here, make sure you’re ready for it. Contact us today to discuss the ways we can help.

For more information on Make Sure You’re Ready: The Print Revolution Is Here talk to Business Technology Support Ltd