Windows 11 is Not Harming Printers: Discontinuation of V3/V4 Driver Updates on Windows Update

Microsoft has announced that starting in January 2026, it will cease the release of V3 and V4 printer drivers via Windows Update. However, this does not signify that printers utilizing these drivers will become obsolete or unsupported.

Older printers will still retain support. The key point is that Microsoft no longer intends to deploy new V3 and V4 drivers through Windows Update. Current drivers, as well as printers depending on them, will continue to function as expected.

Understanding the Transition for V3 and V4 Drivers

In September 2023, Microsoft publicly outlined its plans to phase out V3 and V4 printer drivers. This transition began with the introduction of Windows 10 version 21H2, which came equipped with built-in support for printers compliant with the Mopria standard.

For those unfamiliar, Mopria-certified printers have been available since early 2014 and are produced by brands such as HP. The inclusion of these printer drivers allows for seamless plug-and-play functionality, eliminating the need for third-party driver installations. This development is central to Microsoft’s rationale for discontinuing support for older V3 and V4 drivers.

According to an update to its roadmap, Microsoft stated:

“Starting in January 2026, Windows will no longer support V3 and V4 printer drivers. These older driver models were announced as deprecated in September 2023. Most customers use newer printer drivers or modern printing solutions, which continue to work and are recommended. If your printer depends on a V3 or V4 driver, it may stop installing or working after support ends.”

While this announcement may suggest that older printers using V3 or V4 drivers will cease to function after January 2026, that is not the full picture. Microsoft clarified in a statement to Windows Latest that the cessation of new releases only applies to the publishing of updates.

Impact on Windows 11 Printers Using V3/V4 Drivers

For quite some time, Microsoft has been gradually phasing out support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers. Effective January 15, 2026, the company will no longer publish new printer drivers tied to V3 and V4 protocols through Windows Update for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 and beyond.

However, it’s essential to note that this does not imply that Windows 11 will discontinue support for V3 and V4 drivers altogether. Microsoft has made it clear that vendor-supplied drivers can still be installed using separate installation packages, ensuring that existing printer drivers will remain operational, even after the end of servicing for Windows Update.

Below is a timeline that encapsulates the forthcoming changes regarding V3 and V4 printer drivers:

Timeline	Changes to V3/V4 Printer Drivers on Windows 11+
September 2023	Microsoft announced the end-of-servicing plan for third-party legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers.
January 15, 2026	No new printer drivers will be published to Windows Update, though certain updates may still be issued on rare occasions, as requested by OEMs.
July 1, 2026	Windows will adjust driver ranking to favor the Microsoft IPP inbox class driver.
July 1, 2027	Updates from third-party printer drivers via Windows Update will be restricted, except for urgent security patches. OEM installer packages will still be viable for installation.
Always	Vendor-supplied installer packages will continue to be accepted, and existing printer drivers can still be installed post-servicing.

In summary, Microsoft has halted the acceptance and publishing of new third-party V3 and V4 printer drivers for Windows 11+.Existing drivers can still be utilized, and OEM installer packages will be supported moving forward.

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