Technology

37739 readers

623 users here now

A nice place to discuss rumors, happenings, innovations, and challenges in the technology sphere. We also welcome discussions on the intersections of technology and society. If it’s technological news or discussion of technology, it probably belongs here.

Remember the overriding ethos on Beehaw: Be(e) Nice. Each user you encounter here is a person, and should be treated with kindness (even if they’re wrong, or use a Linux distro you don’t like). Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Subcommunities on Beehaw:

This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Microsoft to Drop Support for Third-Party Printer Drivers on Windows (petri.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

34 comments fedilink hide all child comments

“With the release of Windows 10 21H2, Windows offers inbox support for Mopria compliant printer devices over network and USB interfaces via the Microsoft IPP Class Driver. This removes the need for print device manufacturers to provide their own installers, drivers, utilities, and so on.  Device experience customization is now available via the Print Support Apps that are distributed and automatically installed via the Windows Store,” the company wrote.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If done right, it could be a positive curator. Rules like "any drivers you get off of Windows update met certain tests, are not padded with unrelated crapware, etc."

But I suspect that won't fly. My main experience with WU drivers is a tendency to replace new drivers with old, broken ones. And I doubt printer makers-- the guys who made a 600MB driver to do the same tasks that a LaserJet 4 did with a 30k driver 30 years ago-- would play ball.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Well, the "distributed and automatically installed" part seems more like Windows users will automatically get that bloatware installed; no way to get a minimal driver without bullshit utilities anymore, right? I assume that utility will be written by the device manufacturer...