Share via

Overview of Windows protected print mode

Windows protected print mode exclusively uses the Windows modern print stack which provides additional print security benefits on PCs. Enabling Windows protected print mode is highly recommended.  

The benefits of Windows protected print mode include:

  • Increased PC security.

  • Simplified and consistent printing experience, regardless of PC architecture.

  • Removes the need to manage print drivers.  

Windows protected print mode is designed to work with Mopria certified printers. Many existing printers are already compatible. For more information, see Windows protected print mode device compatibility.

Enterprise administrators can secure and simplify their printer management experience using Windows protected print mode. For more technical information, see Windows protected print mode for enterprises.

About Windows protected print mode

Why should I enable Windows protected print mode?

By default, many Mopria certified printers are installed using legacy drivers. Enabling Windows protected print mode ensures that printers are installed using the modern print platform, creating the best printing experience possible.

Enabling Windows protected print mode provides additional security benefits. By creating an environment that exclusively uses modern print, the printing experience is simplified.

What happens when I enable Windows protected print mode?

Upon enabling Windows protected print mode, printers that use third–party drivers are uninstalled.  

  • The print driver is deleted from the print driver store, and it can't be used while Windows protected print mode is active.  

  • When Windows protected print mode is disabled and the printer is reinstalled, the original driver is reinstalled.  

If a Mopria Certified printer was originally installed using a third-party driver:

  • The printer is uninstalled, but can be reinstalled. When reinstalled, it uses the modern print stack instead of its third-party driver.

  • If Windows protected print mode is disabled, installed printers continue to use the modern print stack unless they're removed and reinstalled with Windows protected print mode disabled.  

If a printer was originally installed with the modern print stack, enabling Windows protected print mode won't uninstall the printer.  

Windows protected print mode device compatibility

Are my printers compatible with Windows protected print mode?

Mopria certified printers are compatible with Windows protected print mode. Most new printers and over 120 million printers already sold are Mopria certified. To see if a printer is compatible with Windows protected print mode, see Mopria certified products.

Are my scanners compatible with Windows protected print mode?

Not all scanners are compatible with Windows protected print mode. To see if a scanner is compatible with Windows protected print mode, see Mopria certified products.  

OneNote printer in Windows protected print mode

Turning on Windows protected print mode uninstalls all unsupported software printers on Windows, including "OneNote(Desktop)". To continue printing to OneNote with Windows protected print mode enabled, use the new "OneNote (Desktop) – Protected virtual printer". The "OneNote (Desktop) – Protected virtual printer" is installed by default in all OneNote Windows app versions 2410 and later running on Windows 11 version 26100 or higher. For more details on both printers and how to use them, see the support article: Print documents and files to OneNote - Microsoft Support.

XPS and Fax Reinstall Steps

XPS and fax are removed when Windows protected print mode is turned on. To reinstall fax and XPS on your Windows system after disabling Windows protected print mode, follow these instructions:

XPS
  1. Open "Start"
  2. Search "Windows Features"
  3. Select "Microsoft XPS Document Writer"
  4. Click "OK" to apply the changes.
Fax
  1. Open "Settings" > "System: > "Optional Features"
  2. Locate the feature named "Windows Fax and Scan."
  3. Check the box next to "Windows Fax and Scan" to select it.

How to use Windows protected print mode

How to enable Windows protected print mode

  1. Press Start.

  2. Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners.

  3. Scroll down to Printer Preferences and under Windows protected print mode select Set up.

computer description automatically generated enabled 1

  1. Select Yes, continue for all prompts.

computer description automatically generated enabled 2

computer description automatically generated enabled 3

Windows protected print is now enabled. Non-compatible printers are uninstalled.

How to disable Windows protected print mode

  1. Select Start.

  2. Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners.

  3. Scroll down to Printer Preferences and under Windows protected print mode, select Turn Off.

computer description automatically generated disabled 6

41 Select Yes.

computer error description automatically generated disabled 7

Windows protected print mode is now disabled. You can now install printers that use third party drivers.  

Note

If Windows protected print mode is enabled as group policy, you won't be able to disable it without contacting your administrator.

computer description automatically generated enabled

For more information on enabling Windows protected print mode as group policy, see Enabling Windows protected print mode as group policy.

FAQ

See FAQs at Windows protected print mode FAQ.

Article Description
Modern print platform Provides an overview of the modern print platform, and its security, compatibility, and reliability benefits over legacy printer drivers.
Windows protected print mode for enterprises Provides guidance for enterpises using Windows protected print mode.
More information on Windows protected print mode for enterprises and developers Provides a technical deep dive of Windows protected print mode.