Microsoft Phases Out Legacy V3, V4 Printer Drivers

Microsoft announced on January 15, 2026, the start of a multiyear phase-out of support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers in Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, affecting millions of older printers that rely on these outdated software components. The change, first outlined in September 2023, aims to streamline the Windows printing system by shifting away from a fragmented ecosystem of thousands of vendor-specific drivers toward a more secure and unified standard.

The decision closes the pipeline for new driver updates through Windows Update, effective immediately for Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, as well as the upcoming Windows Server 2025. Printer manufacturers can still request exceptions for existing drivers, but these will undergo manual review on a case-by-case basis and require justification. Existing installations of V3 and V4 drivers remain unaffected and will continue to function without interruption, according to Microsoft's support documentation. Users who have already set up their printers on compatible systems should experience no immediate issues, even after future Windows updates.

This transition addresses longstanding challenges in the Windows print...