This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Windows protected print mode for all users in Windows 11.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26016 (Canary) and build 26052.1100 (Dev), Microsoft has added Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP).
Windows protected print mode lets your PC exclusively print using the Windows modern print stack which is designed to work with Mopria certified printers only. With Mopria certified printers, users no longer must depend on third-party software installers as well as get additional security benefits. Print devices will “just work” resulting in a safe and streamlined installation and printing process.
By default, Windows protected print is not enabled and there are not any restrictions on the print drivers that can be installed or print functionality.
If you enable this setting, the computer will operate in Windows protected print mode which only allows printing to Mopria certified printers that support a subset of inbox Windows print drivers.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8328 (24H2), build 26200.8328 (25H2), and build 28000.2179 (26H1), Microsoft is adding a new icon to show where a printer supports Windows Protected Print Mode in print settings.
References:
A new, modern, and secure print experience from Windows | Microsoft Community Hub
Over the past year, the MORSE team has been working in collaboration with the Windows Print team to modernize the Windows Print System. This new design,...
techcommunity.microsoft.com
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable Windows protected print mode.
Turning on Windows protected print mode will automatically remove printers that are not Mopria compatible with Windows protected print mode.
When you’ve enabled Windows protected print mode, you cannot disable Default install printers using Windows Ready Print.
Check if Printer or Scanner Supports Windows Protected Print Mode
This tutorial will show you how to check if a printer or scanner is compatible with Windows protected print mode (WPP) in Windows 11. Windows protected print mode exclusively uses the Windows modern print stack which provides additional print security benefits on PCs. Enabling Windows protected...
www.elevenforum.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Windows Protected Print Mode in Settings
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Windows Protected Print Mode in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Three: Enable or Disable Windows Protected Print Mode using REG file
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Printers & scanners on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Do step 4 (on) or step 5 (off) below for what you want.
4. Set Up and Turn On Windows Protected Print Mode
A) Under Printer preferences, click/tap on the Set Up button for Windows protected print mode. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Yes, continue to approve. (see screenshot below)
C) If printers will be removed, click/tap on Yes, continue to confirm. (see screenshot below)
5. Turn Off Windows Protected Print Mode
This is the default setting.
A) Under Printer preferences, click/tap on the Turn Off button for Windows protected print mode. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Three to configure the same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the location below in the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers
3 In the right pane of Printers, double click/tap on the Configure Windows protected print policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (default) below for what you want.
5 Always Enable Windows Protected Print Mode
This will prevent turning off Windows Protected Print Mode in Option One.
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
6 Default User-choice Windows Protected Print Mode
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (default) below for what you want.
2 Always Enable Windows Protected Print Mode
This will prevent turning off Windows Protected Print Mode in Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 4 below.
Always_enable_Windows_Protected_Print_Mode.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\WPP]
"EnabledBy"=dword:00000002
"WindowsProtectedPrintGroupPolicyState"=dword:00000001
"WindowsProtectedPrintMode"=dword:000000013 Default User-choice Windows Protected Print Mode
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 4 below.
Default_user-choice_Windows_Protected_Print_Mode.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\WPP]
"EnabledBy"=-
"WindowsProtectedPrintGroupPolicyState"=-
"WindowsProtectedPrintMode"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 You can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
