Windows 11 to drop legacy printer drivers in 2026, nudging a hardware refresh
Microsoft will discontinue support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers in Windows 11 with the January 2026 non-security update, which could cause printers relying on those drivers to fail or stop working. Most modern printers use newer driver architectures, so many users won’t be affected, but those with older hardware should update to supported drivers or replace printers to avoid disruption as part of Windows’ broader security and reliability modernization.