NEW Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP), for Mopria-Certified Printers

[SalesServiceGuy]

On October 1, 2024, Microsoft unveiled Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP), marking the most significant transformation of the Windows print stack in over two decades. This new secure printing platform aims to prevent future vulnerabilities and attacks by working exclusively with Mopria-certified printers and eliminating third-party drivers. As Microsoft phases out its legacy printer driver, support for third-party drivers will cease, with no new drivers available through Windows Update starting in 2025. While WPP is not yet the default setting in Windows, its eventual integration into Windows 11 signifies a shift toward a more secure and driverless printing experience.

The Security Challenges of Traditional Printer Drivers
For years, printer drivers have served as the vital link between computers and printers, converting print jobs into a format that printers can understand. However, securing the extensive legacy ecosystem of printer drivers has become increasingly challenging in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape. The diverse array of manufacturers and models, along with various page description languages (PDLs), complicates security efforts.

Compatibility issues also arise between legacy drivers and modern security technologies such as Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET), Control Flow Guard (CFG), and Arbitrary Code Guard (ACG). Microsoft relies on printer manufacturers to keep these drivers updated, creating potential vulnerabilities within the printing system.

Concerns over print security are escalating, with a recent Quocirca study revealing that IT decision-makers perceive both employee-owned home printers (33%) and office printers (29%) as significant risks. Security threats extend beyond physical documents, as compromised devices can provide unauthorized access to networks. The increasing vulnerability of printer drivers and print management software further heightens these risks.

Furthermore, print driver deployment remains a major administrative challenge for organizations. Quocirca’s Print Security 2024 study indicates that 49% of respondents cite the administrative burden of driver deployment as a top concern, while 42% struggle with the complexity of managing a mixed printer fleet, and 39% worry that vendor drivers could introduce security vulnerabilities.

Historically, the Windows print system has been a frequent target for attacks, with print-related vulnerabilities contributing to incidents like Stuxnet and Print Nightmare, accounting for 9% of reported cases to the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) over the last three years. WPP has already mitigated over half of these vulnerabilities.

WPP represents a comprehensive redesign of the printing subsystem, minimizing the attack surface and enhancing the user experience. It prioritizes IPP-based printing and disallows third-party drivers.

[SalesServiceGuy]

The Move Toward Driverless Printing
Recent years have seen a shift toward driverless printing, facilitated by the adoption of the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and Print Support App (PSA). The Microsoft IPP Class Driver allows remote printing without the need for third-party drivers, enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop PSAs that provide custom functionality. These PSAs are distributed through the Windows Store, simplifying the setup process by automatically detecting and configuring compatible printers.

IPP printing offers numerous advantages, including built-in encryption, access control, simplified code, and authentication. However, it still relies on drivers, as printer sharing may require setting up a driver or installing an IPP printer.

Modernizing the Printing Stack
WPP builds on the existing IPP stack, supporting only Mopria-certified printers and disabling third-party drivers and direct IP printing. With WPP enabled, non-IPP print drivers and TCP/IP ports are eliminated, reducing opportunities for attackers to exploit the spooler. WPP also employs transport security, alerting users when their traffic is encrypted and encouraging the use of encryption when possible. Launched on October 1, 2024, as part of the Windows 11 version 24H2 security baseline release, WPP is not yet enabled by default.

Challenges for Legacy Devices
While Mopria-certified printers are compatible, the transition to WPP may create challenges for organizations using older devices. Once WPP is activated, only the IPP driver remains, which could necessitate the deactivation of WPP to use custom drivers and ports.

Microsoft aims to provide a secure default configuration while allowing users to revert to legacy printing if necessary. However, printers lacking IPP or PSA support may not function with Windows 11, potentially requiring upgrades, especially for organizations with large fleets of older devices.

Will Windows 11 Prompt a Printer Refresh?
The transition to driverless printing is expected to be gradual. Many manufacturers are updating their models to support IPP and PSA, while Microsoft is actively working to ensure compatibility with older devices. As the advantages of driverless printing become more evident, the demand for outdated printers is likely to decrease. Organizations will need to consider replacing older devices, especially as Windows 10 approaches its end of life and companies transition to Windows 11.

This movement is already driving technology refreshes, with 79% of respondents in Quocirca’s AI study indicating plans to upgrade their PC estates to leverage AI technology. Notably, 73% also anticipate refreshing their printers and multifunction devices simultaneously. Microsoft has confirmed that Copilot+ PCs or any ARM-based devices will support printing in Windows 11, whether Mopria certified or equipped with PSAs.

Conclusion
Microsoft is redefining the future of printing through its Universal Print cloud service and the IPP platform. The transition away from traditional print drivers signifies a major evolution in the print ecosystem, addressing longstanding security and administrative challenges. Organizations must strategically plan their transition to avoid disruption, particularly those with diverse printer fleets. While the support for label printers and wide-format devices remains uncertain, Mopria has certified over 120 million printers and multifunction devices across various brands, ensuring broad compatibility.

This transformation also presents new opportunities for the print industry. Managed print service providers can position themselves as key partners, helping clients assess their fleets’ compatibility with Windows 11 WPP requirements, potentially leading to increased demand for hardware refreshes and renewed focus on recycling incompatible devices.

By moving to a more secure and efficient printing platform through WPP, which will eventually become the default in Windows 11, Microsoft is enhancing the overall user experience while reducing potential security risks. Though organizations may need to adapt to this shift, it ultimately leads to a stronger and more secure printing infrastructure, particularly in the era of AI advancements.

[SalesServiceGuy]

Currently WPP is not turned on by default in the latest Win 11 V24H1 in Windows. Once turned on all print drivers on your PC that are not compliant will be disabled.

Certianly a new topic to learn about and be prepared for.

https://www.papercut.com/discover/the-complete-guide-to-windows-protected-print-wpp/

I do not think you will see a rush to adopt to WPP in the SMB space where I mostly operate. Large corporations and gov't IT Depts could adapt much faster.

[SalesServiceGuy]

I can definitely forsee uneducated users turn on WPP without testing the consequences.

I can also forsee somehwat educated users with only one print device and few users turn on WPP without fully understanding the consequences.

This should result in billable hours by a copier service Dept to rectify.

When you enable WPP, a warning message will appear.

"Are you sure you want to use Windows Protected Mode?"

"This will remove printers that are not compatible with Windows Protected mode from your devices"

[SalesServiceGuy]

Additionally, if WPP incompatible print queues (such as standard TCP/IP print queues) were already installed, Windows will warn that they would be removed.

[SalesServiceGuy]

Notes on "Windows Protected Print Mode" implemented
in Windows 11 24H2

November 11, 2024
Toshiba Tec Corporation

Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Toshiba Tec products.
Windows 11 24H2, which was released to the public on October 2, 2024, adds Windows Protected Print Mode.
This function is disabled by default, but if you enable it, the installed printer driver and network fax driver will be automatically removed, which will affect your printing environment.
Please understand the above before enabling or disabling the [Windows Protected Print Mode] function. OS behavior when Windows Protected Print Mode is enabled

• All vendor-supplied printer and network fax drivers are removed from Windows.
• Printers added using the vendor-provided printer driver or network fax driver will be deleted from Windows.
• You will not be able to install vendor-provided printer drivers and network fax drivers.
• You will not be able to create ports or create printer queues.

Support for the print function when [Windows Protected Print Mode] is enabled

If [Windows Protected Print Mode] is enabled, it can only be used for printing functions using the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which comes standard with Windows.
You cannot use the network fax function, e-BRIDGE Global Print, or the printer plug-in function.
The status of support for Microsoft IPP Class Driver on our MFPs and label printers is as follows. Availability of Microsoft IPP Class Driver for MFP Products

ilability of the Microsoft IPP Class Driver for Label Printer Products

Our label printer products cannot print with the Windows IPP Class Driver. Precautions

• If the installed printer driver or network fax driver is removed as a result of enabling Windows Protected Printing Mode once, the driver will still be removed even if you disable this function again. To use the removed driver again, you will need to disable this feature back and then reinstall the driver.
• If you want to disable [Windows Protected Print Mode] back after it was enabled, please note the following:
  • Enabling Windows Protected Print Mode does not remove the plug-in, but after reinstalling the printer driver, you need to re-enable the plug-in by doing the following:
    In [Printer Properties] → [Device Settings] → [Customize] → [Plug-ins], check the checkbox for "Plug-ins"
  • If you have changed the print settings or standard settings, you must reinstall the printer driver and then change the settings again.
• Enabling Windows Protected Print Mode does not delete shared printers installed from the server, but you will not be able to print.

How to set up the Microsoft IP

[SalesServiceGuy]

Windows Protected Print Mode:
A Game-Changer for the Printing Industry?
By Kappius, Volker.
In October 2024, Microsoft launched Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP), the most significant overhaul to Windows’ print ecosystem in over two decades. Designed with security in mind, WPP eliminates traditional print drivers, relying instead on Mopria-certified devices and driverless, IPP-based printing. This paradigm shift in printing technology promises enhanced security but has far-reaching implications for the aftermarket and remanufacturing industries. Here’s a quick look at how WPP could reshape the office imaging industry aftermarket landscape.

Compatibility Challenges for Aftermarket Toner Chips
The transition to WPP introduces significant hurdles for remanufacturers. By requiring Mopria certification and IPP standards, WPP excludes traditional third-party drivers. Without these drivers, many remanufactured cartridges may face even more limited functionality or outright incompatibility. Adapting to this environment demands investments in new chip designs and Print Support Apps (PSAs) compatible with Windows Store—a costly venture for smaller players.

Stricter Security Standards and OEM Control
WPP enhances security by removing vulnerabilities tied to traditional print drivers. While this is a win for end-users, it restricts the ability of aftermarket chips to replace OEM products. Stricter encryption and authentication protocols will make it challenging for remanufacturers to maintain compatibility, likely driving up production costs and creating a higher barrier to entry for new competitors.

The Decline of Legacy-Compatible Solutions
WPP also signals the phasing out of older printers that rely on TCP/IP-based drivers. Organizations upgrading to Windows 11 will likely transition to Mopria-compliant devices, reducing demand for legacy-compatible aftermarket chips. This shift forces remanufacturers to refocus efforts on new-generation products, accelerating development cycles to keep pace with evolving standards.

Firmware Updates and Real-Time Challenges
A critical feature of WPP is its direct connection to OEM servers, enabling real-time monitoring and frequent firmware updates. While this improves security, it also gives OEMs the power to block aftermarket components swiftly. Remanufacturers will need to continuously update their chips to maintain compatibility, adding significant operational complexity and reducing profitability.

Opportunities for Adaptation and Innovation
Despite these challenges, WPP offers opportunities for innovation. Larger aftermarket players with strong R&D capabilities could develop secure, WPP-compliant solutions, catering to cost-conscious businesses. Additionally, partnerships like HP’s SecuReuse program may provide a viable path for smaller firms to stay competitive.

However, adapting to WPP’s standards will require significant financial and technological resources. Only the most proactive and well-funded players are likely to thrive in this environment. And it will come at a considerable higher cost.

Broader Industry Impacts
The adoption of WPP could lead to:Higher Quality Standards: WPP enforces stricter compliance, raising the bar for remanufactured cartridges.

Market Disruption: Favouring OEM cartridges under the guise of enhanced security may marginalize aftermarket players.

Reputation Risks: Compatibility issues may tarnish the perception of remanufactured products, pushing consumers toward high priced single-use OEM solutions.

Navigating the Future
To stay relevant, the aftermarket industry must:
Invest in R&D to develop WPP-compatible chips and firmware.

Educate consumers on the environmental and cost benefits of remanufactured cartridges.

Advocate for fair competition through industry groups like ETIRA.

The transition to WPP presents a challenging but not insurmountable road ahead. While smaller players may struggle, those who adapt quickly and innovate could carve out new opportunities in this evolving landscape.