Windows 10: Microsoft moves printer drivers to Windows Update

Windows 10 administrators and users who connect printers or scanners to devices running the operating system may have noticed a change in how printer drivers are installed on the devices.

Windows installation media included basic drivers for printers and scanners in versions prior to Windows 10 version 1809; these were installed automatically on the device if a printer or scanner was detected by the operating system so that the devices would work right away.

Windows 10 version 1809 printing changes


Starting in Windows 10 version 1809, Windows 10 installation media does not include the bulk of default drivers for printers or scanners anymore.

Microsoft revealed that it changed how default printer and scanner drivers are distributed in the October 2018 Update for Windows 10 (and going forward).

Here is what happens:

1. Users who upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows 10 version 1809 won't notice any differences as printer and scanner drivers will continue to work just like before.
2. If a new printer or scanner is connected to a device running Windows 10, Windows will use Windows Update to download and install the new printer driver.
3. If Windows Update is blocked or not available, e.g. if the machine is offline, drivers won't be installed automatically. Windows 10 installs a Mopria-compatible printer that require no external driver.

In other words: Default drivers for printers and scanners will only be installed if the machine is connected to Windows Update. While that is the case for most PCs running Windows 10, it may pose issues for admins who maintain PCs and devices that are offline or on which Windows Update is blocked.

Not all printers support the Mopria standard and functionality may be limited for printers that do.

The installation of a full printer or scanner driver provided by the device's manufacturer overrides any default driver that Windows may install.

Why did Microsoft implement the change?

Ron Martinsen of the Windows Print Team reveals that Microsoft wanted to reduce the footprint of the operating system to provide users with more storage space.

To reduce the Windows footprint and provide more storage space to users, these drivers no longer ship with the OS and instead are available through Windows Update.
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Now You: What is your take on the change? (via Born)

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Windows 10 update cause printer problem with: "Printer not activated - Error - 20"

Hi John,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand your concern about accessing the printer after the Windows Update, we will help you with this issue.

Do let us know the following:

• What is the make and model of your device?
• How is the printer connected to the computer, locally or through network?
• Have you tried any troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue?

I suggest you to try the below and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to update the drivers for printer and check.

• 
  Right click on the Start button from the desktop and select
  Device Manager.
  
• 
  Locate and expand Print queue.
  
• 
  Right-click on the printer driver
  that is listed and click Update driver software.
  

Step 2: I suggest you to run the printer troubleshooter from
“Fix printer problems”
and then check if this fixes the issue.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue and required information, we will be happy to help you further.

 

Windows update keeps replacing ALPS Touchpad driver with a Synaptics driver.

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. Appreciate your interest in using Windows 10.

I suggest you to uninstall and delete the previous drivers and the latest drivers for the touchpad and install the required version of the driver from Device Manager by following the steps below:

• Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the list.
• Expand the Touch pad driver.
• Right click on the driver and click on update/install.
• Select the required version from the on-screen prompts.

And for the problem with the installation of printer drivers, I suggest you to run the Windows Update troubleshooter by following the steps below:

• Type “Troubleshooting” in search box and press Enter.
• Click on “View All” option on top left pane.
• Select “Windows Update” from the list and follow the prompts for troubleshooting.

Hope the information is helpful. Feel free to
write to us for any other assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.

 

Printer probs following Windows 10 update

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I would suggest you follow the steps below:

Method 1: Update all your Printer drivers.

Follow the steps to update the Printer drivers:

• Press Windows key + R key. Type "devmgmt.msc" and click Enter.
• Expand the Print Queues.
• Double-click on the Printer.
• In Properties, go to Drivers Tab and click on
  Update.
• Restart the computer and check.

Method 2: If this does not work you might have to Uninstall and then reinstall your drivers in compatibility mode.

Follow the steps to uninstall and reinstall the driver.

• Press Windows key + R key. Type "devmgmt.msc" and click
  Enter.
• Expand the Print Queues.
• Double-click on the Printer.
• In Properties, go to Drivers Tab and click on
  Uninstall.
• Reinstall your printer driver from Manufacturer's Website in Compatibility mode.
• Restart your system

Hope this helps. Please respond if you have further related queries.

Regards,