Microsoft will soon roll out the printer feature in Windows 11

Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade since October 2021, but the predecessor Windows 10 will continue to receive updates. There will be new patches for Windows 10 by 2025. However, a number of features will only be available under Windows 11, such as full support for Direct Storage. Now Microsoft is bringing a function from the successor to Windows 10. It is the new printer experiencewhich will debut on Windows 11 version 22H2.

Printer problems under Windows should – finally – be solved

So far, the “Printers & devices” menu and the overview of active printing processes are from the Windows 7 days and are hidden in the old control panels. With Windows 11 version 22H2 there is a newly designed printer queue that displays the active print processes and also provides a thumbnail of what is currently being printed by which printer. The status is visualized via a green bar, so you can see how far the printing process has progressed. What is new is that a print process can be secured with a PIN, which then also has to be entered at the printer. If you want, you can also add a watermark within the new printer app. In addition, the new printer queue is equipped with a responsive design, so that the content can be adapted to different screen resolutions and input methods, so that it can also be conveniently operated via touchscreen. The new printer queue is also optionally available in a dark design.

The new printer queue will be delivered as an app with Windows 10 version 22H2. The new printer experience is currently available in patch KB5014666 in the Release Preview Channel for Windows 10 users. The Microsoft operating system is upgraded to build 19044.1806. Although there is a new printer queue, users do not need new printer drivers. In order to also secure the printing process with USB printers, Microsoft will also support the Internet Printing Protocol via USB connection in Windows 10 Version 22H2 and Windows 11 Version 22H2. Printer network problems should be a thing of the past.

Also worth reading: Windows 11: USB printers cause problems

Collection of new printer functions in Windows 10 and 11:

• In Windows 11 version 22H2 there is a redesigned printer queue that provides some features to secure the printing process. For example, a watermark can be created or the printing process secured with a PIN.
• In addition, the Internet Printing Protocol is also supported via USB connection, so that printer problems should be a thing of the past.
• The new printer queue replaces the printer menu from Windows 7 and comes to both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Source: Microsoft