Updating drivers sometimes can be really hard process. Microsoft knows this and seems to have decided that everything should be much easier, which is at least a priori welcome. However, it is true that there are controllers and controllers, so one that simply allows the operating system to communicate with a component/device/peripheral is not the same as another in which that is just part of their raison d’être as they provide additional novelties, improvements , benefits, etc.

We can focus on this second group because they are paradigmatic, v graphics card drivers, which over the years (except in the case of Intel, which recently joined this market and has adopted the same model since its arrival) have become updates that are more about optimizing performance in games and adding new features that, originally, was the raison d ‘être driver. In these cases, an update is usually always recommended.

We find the other extreme Drivers that don’t need to be updated as oftenand even some that will potentially never need to be updated. For these cases, many users usually resort to Windows Update, the automatic update function of Microsoft operating systems, in which we can find both third-party drivers (i.e. those from manufacturers) and the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) driver class inbox from Microsoft. However, this will no longer apply.

As we can read in the official Windows documentation, Microsoft will remove support for third-party printer drivers in Windows Update, this means that once the deadlines (they are long, yes, I will elaborate on them later) of the calendar set for this model change are met, manufacturers will no longer be able to upload their own drivers to Windows Update. Instead, and we are thinking of those users who only update their system drivers using Windows Update, they will need to ensure their devices are compatible with IPP.

At Microsoft, they are aware of the broad scope of this change in the model, so as noted above, they have settled quite a few dates wide. This is the schedule they posted:

* Dates may change.

It is Microsoft’s intention with this change make the IPP inbox class controller a universal controller for printers used from Windows systems and that manufacturers of such devices may offer software associated with such devices through the Microsoft Store.

However, and this explains why I put it in quotes, it will end in the title of this news, as you can read in the calendar Windows will continue to allow the installation of third-party driversso manufacturers will still be able to offer downloads of their own drivers from their respective websites.