Windows Protected Print: is your printing ready?

Microsoft is phasing out third-party printer drivers on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Cirros supports Windows Protected Print as standard, so you can switch it on today and keep printing.

What is Windows Protected Print?

Windows Protected Print is a Windows mode that blocks third-party printer drivers and prints only through Windows' own built-in, driverless printing. Fewer drivers on every PC means less to install, update and secure.

What Microsoft is changing, and when

Two of Microsoft's milestones have already passed. From July 2027, third-party printer drivers will receive security fixes only.

Date	What Microsoft changes
1 July 2027	Third-party printer drivers get security fixes only
1 July 2026	Windows always prefers its own built-in driverless (IPP) driver
15 January 2026	No new third-party printer drivers published to Windows Update
September 2023	Microsoft announces the end of servicing for third-party printer drivers

Source: Microsoft Learn, end of servicing plan for third-party printer drivers. The changes apply to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 onwards.

Where Cirros fits

• Windows Protected Print is supported as standard, not as an add-on.
• No vendor print drivers to deploy, update or secure across your PCs.
• The same experience on every supported device: HP, Canon, Ricoh, Xerox and Lexmark.
• No print servers, no VPN and nothing to install on site.

Talk to us about moving to Windows Protected Print.