Introduction

Windows Protected Print (WPP) is a new feature in Windows 11 24H2 designed to enhance print security by addressing vulnerabilities such as PrintNightmare. No more dodgy third-party drivers! WPP uses the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and Mopria-certified printers to keep things secure and simple. Let’s break down how it works with Windows 11, how to manage it with Microsoft Intune, and what to do when things go south. Buckle up!

What’s the Deal with WPP?

Windows Protected Print is all about making printing safer. Introduced in Windows 11 24H2, it ditches third-party drivers for a universal IPP-based driver. Why? Because legacy drivers were a hacker’s playground (remember PrintNightmare?). WPP runs print jobs in user mode, not system mode, so even if something sneaky gets through, it’s less likely to ruin your day. It’s a perfect fit for Windows 11’s security game—think Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and Defender working together to keep your endpoints locked down.

On the user side, WPP makes life easier. Windows 11 auto-detects Mopria-certified printers, so no more hunting for drivers. You manage it all from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Technically, WPP sticks to standard Page Description Languages like PWG Raster and PDF, cutting down on complex code that could be exploited. The Print Spooler runs with a restricted token, dropping privileges like SeTcbPrivilege, and avoids SYSTEM-level access. It’s all Microsoft-signed binaries, so no shady third-party DLLs sneaking in.

Setting Up WPP with Intune

Managing WPP with Intune is straightforward, and as an Intune fan, I love how it fits into our device management workflow. You use a Policy CSP to flip WPP on or off. Here’s the step-by-step:

• Open the Intune Admin Center and go to Devices > Windows > Configuration profiles.
• Create a Custom Profile: Pick Windows 10 and later (works for Windows 11 24H2) and select Templates > Custom.
• Set the OMA-URI:
  • Name: Windows Protected Print
  • OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Printers/ConfigureWindowsProtectedPrint
  • Data type: String
  • Value: <enabled/> (or <disabled/> to turn it off)
• Assign It: Target a Microsoft Entra group with Windows 11 24H2 devices. Add applicability rules for OS build 26100 or higher to avoid headaches.

Once deployed, check Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners on a device. The WPP toggle should be on and grayed out (Intune’s in charge!). Non-Mopria printers? Gone. So, make sure your printers are Mopria-certified before you flip the switch.

Windows 11 and WPP

WPP is exclusive to Windows 11 24H2, so your devices need to be on this build. It leans on IPP and network connectivity, so your printers must support Mopria (check the Mopria Alliance website). Windows 11’s telemetry, viewable in Intune’s Devices > Monitor, lets you confirm WPP is applied correctly. Plus, Microsoft Entra ID integration ensures only authorized users can print, adding another layer of security.

One catch: WPP’s universal driver might not support fancy features like duplex printing or custom paper sizes. If your users need those, test WPP in a pilot group first.

WPP also plays nice with Windows 11’s security features. It enables protections like Control Flow Guard (CFG) and Arbitrary Code Guard (ACG) across the print stack, since everything’s Microsoft-signed. XPS rendering, a past weak spot, now runs in user context, reducing risk. It’s printing, but make it secure and modern.

Troubleshooting WPP

When WPP breaks, it’s usually because of non-Mopria printers or misconfigured policies. If printers don’t show up, run the Windows 11 troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer. Check Event Viewer (Windows Logs > System or Application) for Spooler or IPP errors. Make sure your network allows IPP traffic (ports 631 and 443).

If a third-party DLL is causing issues, WPP blocks it to prevent malicious code. Verify all print processes use Microsoft-signed binaries with a tool like Sigcheck from Sysinternals.

Opting Out of WPP

Sometimes, WPP just isn’t the vibe—maybe your printers aren’t Mopria-ready, or you need legacy features. Here’s how to bail:

• Via Settings: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Printer preferences > Windows protected print and toggle it off.

• Via Group Policy: Open Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers > Configure Windows protected print, and set to Disabled.

• Via Intune: Update the CSP value to <disabled/> and redeploy.

Heads-up: Disabling WPP brings back legacy drivers, which could reintroduce security risks. You’ll need to reinstall non-Mopria printers with their original drivers. If you use XPS or Fax features (uninstalled in WPP), re-enable them via Settings > System > Optional features > Add a feature. Search for Microsoft XPS Document Writer or Windows Fax and Scan. OneNote’s virtual printer switches back to the standard version, so update any workflows relying on it.

Wrapping Up

Windows Protected Print in Windows 11 24H2 is a solid step toward secure, driverless printing. Paired with Intune, it’s a breeze to manage, and it fits right into Windows 11’s security-first mindset. Just make sure your printers are Mopria-certified and test in a small group. If it breaks, troubleshoot with Event Viewer or opt out carefully. Printing isn’t sexy, but WPP makes it a lot less painful.

Check Microsoft’s docs for more on WPP, and let me know in the comments if you’ve run into any quirks!