Microsoft Introducing Windows Ready Print and Modernized Driver Selection on Windows 11

Introducing Windows Ready Print: a simpler, more reliable path to modern printing with modern driver selection controls.

Windows Ready Print: A clearer path to modern printing on Windows​

Printing on Windows is evolving.

As printing environments modernize, customers and partners are asking for solutions that are reliable, secure, and easy to manage across today’s devices. To reflect this shift and make the value of our platform clearer, we are evolving the Modern Print Platform under a new name: Windows Ready Print.

Windows Ready Print highlights what matters most: a streamlined, dependable printing experience built for modern Windows environments. It represents our commitment to simplifying printing, aligning modern standards, and delivering consistent, forward-looking experiences for users, IT admins, and partners.

Driving the transition to Windows Ready Print with driver selection controls​

At the core of Windows Ready Print is a transition away from legacy, third party drive-based workflows toward modern, standards-based printing with IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) using the Windows inbox IPP printer driver.

Starting in July 2026, new printer installations will default to Windows Ready Print where supported, enabling a simpler and more reliable setup experience. This change reduces the need for traditional driver management and lays the foundation for a more scalable and predictable print experience.

However, we recognize that not all environments can move to Windows Ready Print immediately. To ensure a smooth and flexible transition, we are introducing the ability for users to configure Windows to install their printers using Windows Ready Print (if supported) or the OEM printer driver during installation.

You can find this setting under Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners > Default install printer using Windows Ready Print.



Driver selection configuration in Settings

This feature enables users and IT admins to control how Windows selects drivers when installing printers:

• When “Default install printers using Windows Ready Print” is enabled, Windows Ready Print installation is preferred
• When “Default install printers using Windows Ready Print” is disabled, default driver selection is used

The configuration applies to new printer installations only, without affecting existing devices.

To enable/disable this feature via group policy, go to:

1. Launch Group Policy Editor
2. Navigate to Local Computer Policy -> Administrative Templates -> Printers
3. Find and select 'Configure Windows Ready Print driver ranking' -> double click to open it
4. Select 'Enabled' (if you wish to enable Windows Ready Print driver selection) or 'Disabled' (if you wish to explicitly disable Windows Ready Print driver selection).
5. Select Apply
6. Select OK

How driver selection configuration works with Windows protected print mode​

When you enable "Default install printers using Windows Ready Print”, new printer installations will default to Windows inbox IPP printer driver when supported.

When you enable Windows protected print mode, printers are exclusively installed with Windows Ready Print. Devices that do not support Windows Ready Print cannot be installed.

Note: When you’ve enabled Windows protected print mode, you cannot disable "Default install printers using Windows Ready Print".