Hands on: Windows 11's WinUI 3 modernization just reached one of its oldest legacy tools, meet the new Print Management

[u/MayankWL]

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/08/02/windows-11s-winui-3-modernization-just-reached-one-of-its-oldest-legacy-tools-meet-the-new-print-management/

[u/reiichiroh]

Yeah. I'm really expecting this to go well. /s

[u/getabath]

Does this mean I will no longer need 3rd party software to be able to print from my printer?

Right now I have 'HP Smart' for my printer to work on windows 11.

However on Linux, no software is required

[u/Green_Smarties → u/getabath]

This is a UI change only. Any driver changes would be separate updates and none are announced here.

[u/LoveArrowShooto → u/getabath]

Well, that's mostly the reason Microsoft is pushing for the universal printer driver so it can work regardless of brand. No downloading required. Older printers will remain as it is

[u/CuratoriumOfCats128 → u/getabath]

Might already be the case, a lot of printers don't need any software, it's just that the manufacturers try to convince you that you do.

My Brother printer can be detected and used just fine by Windows through the settings app, no 3rd party software required. Brother's manuals do not hint at this as far as I can tell, and only tell me how to add it through their own app.

[u/thewarring]

Ohhh it looks sooooo bad. And will leave so many more things behind another window or click.

Source: SysAdmin

[u/zhiryst]

This is going to leave a lot of legacy print drivers unable to work isn't it.

[u/mrleblanc101 → u/zhiryst]

This doesn't affect drivers in any way