Learn how to quickly check if your printer supports the new Windows Protected Printer mode feature in Windows 11.
Microsoft introduced a new super feature called Protected Printer mode in Windows 11. It is not only a security feature, but it also eliminates the need for third-party drivers for printing. Once set up, Windows uses the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) to print documents instead of relying on software or drivers provided by the printer manufacturer.
So, to put it simply, the new Protected Printer Mode makes driverless printing possible so you don’t have to rely on buggy third-party drivers, and it also makes your printer safe and secure from threats such as PrintNightmare.
While this is an awesome feature, not all printers support it. For example, many legacy printers. Thankfully, Windows 11 makes it very easy to check whether your printer supports Protected Printer Mode. In this quick and easy guide, I will show you how to check it. Let’s get started.
Check If Your Printer Supports Windows Protected Printer Mode
- Use the “Windows key + I” to open Settings.
- Go to the “Bluetooth & devices” tab on the sidebar.
- Click the “Printers & scanners” option.
- If your printer supports Protected Print Mode, you will see a shield icon next to the printer name.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
You can check whether your printer supports the Protected Printer Mode using the Settings. So, press the “Windows key + I” to open Settings. Other than the shortcut, you can also right-click the “Windows” key and select “Settings”.
Click the “Bluetooth & devices” on the left sidebar and then click the “Printers & scanners” option on the right page. This action takes you to the Printer settings page in the Settings app.
This page lists all the printers. If a printer supports the Protected Printer Mode, you will see a shield icon next to the printer name. If you don’t see the shield icon, then that specific printer doesn’t support the Protected Printer Mode.
That is all. It is that simple to check whether a printer supports Windows Protected Printer Mode. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
My printer isn’t compatible, but your instructions don’t include how to get rid of it. It was installed automatically, somehow.
What do you mean by ‘get rid of it’? Do you want to remove the printer? If you want to remove the printer, click the printer name on the “Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners” page, then click “Remove”.
If you don’t want to use Protected Printer Mode, you need to disable it via the Group Policy. Follow this article(https://windowsloop.com/windows-enable-protected-print-mode/), and in the Group Policy section, select “Disabled”.