Windows 11 is finally killing off legacy printer drivers in 2026 — and it’s going to shake up a lot of older hardware

Microsoft is moving forward with a long-planned cleanup of the Windows 11 printing stack. Starting with the non-security update released in January 2026, Windows 11 no longer supports legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers, a change that will affect devices running versions 24H2 and 25H2 as the rollout gradually expands.

The company first announced the deprecation of V3 and V4 printer drivers in September 2023, giving hardware partners and customers more than two years to prepare. As the final cutoff now approaching, Microsoft is signaling that the transition to modern printing is no longer optional for Windows 11 users.

In the official support page, the company notes that 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."

Now that support has officially ended, printers that rely exclusively on V3 or V4 drivers may fail to install or stop working altogether.

Microsoft says most users are already unaffected because the majority of printers on the market use newer driver architectures or modern printing frameworks that will continue to work without interruption. However, systems connected to older printers, especially in small businesses, schools, or home offices using legacy hardware, could run into problems if no action is taken.

In these cases, the company recommends "contact your printer manufacturer and update to a supported printer driver or another current printing solution."

The decision ties directly into the operating system's lifecycle and security goals. Legacy printer drivers have long been a weak point, frequently associated with stability issues and elevated security risks. By removing support for outdated driver models, Microsoft can continue reducing attacks, simplify maintenance, and focus efforts on modern printing solutions.

If no supported driver exists, users may need to consider replacing the printer or switching to a newer printing solution before installing the non-security update (KB5074105) released in January, or before installing the February 2026 Security Update to avoid disruptions.

This move also aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy to modernize core system components on Windows 11, which already emphasizes reliability, performance, and overall experience.

Do you have a printer that still depends on legacy drivers? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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