Microsoft has changed a few things when it comes to Printing. The first change relates to how drivers are now available for Inbox print and scan. While the second is included support for Mopria printers.
Install Inbox Print and Scan drivers through Windows Update
Prior versions of Windows included basic printer drivers that enabled simple printing when a full feature driver was not available. This increased Windows footprint and provided more storage space to users. These drivers no longer ship with the OS. They will be available through Windows Update.
While there are no visual changes, and your printers will work using the same printer driver as before. However, when you install a new printer and your Windows PC or Print Server has access to Windows Update, the correct driver is automatically downloaded and installed.
That said, you may be unable to pre-stage a printer when deploying a fresh OS install. Since it will not be able to find the inbox print driver anymore. If you are one of those who use direct printing on IP address to an external USB print server, it might not work anymore.
Windows supports Mopria printers
Mopria is a set of standards that enable printing from a mobile device to printers from different manufacturers or brands.
When you install a new printer of which driver is not available through Windows Update, the system will instead install Mopria-compatible printers without requiring an external driver. Windows has added support for Mopria-compatible Wi-Fi printers.
Mopria Alliance is a result of a lot of companies working together to standardize printing drivers. It includes HP, Google, and many others. Most modern Wi-Fi printers support the Mopria standard. It also includes support for features such as duplex printing, Wi-Fi Direct printing, orientation, and paper size adjustment. You can simply think it as a globally standard driver which can work with any device.
Does this new update cause a problem with the way you had been working till now? Let us know in the comments.
