Secure, Driverless Printing Made Easy: Canon’s Answer to Windows Protected Print Mode

Canon Print Assistant (CPA) — an initial release of a Print Support Application (PSA) that integrates seamlessly into Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform.

Printing is undergoing a major evolution. For decades, users relied on manufacturer-specific drivers—often cumbersome to maintain, incompatible with newer device architectures, and a frequent headache for IT departments. Enter Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform: a transformative approach that promises a driver-free experience using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and Universal Print services.

But while IPP Class drivers simplify installation, they’re generic by nature. Advanced, intuitive printing features often get lost in translation. That’s where Canon steps in with an elegant solution in its initial release: Canon Print Assistant — a free Print Support Application (PSA) designed to unlock the full power of your Canon devices within Microsoft’s new print framework.

What is Windows Protected Print Mode?

Windows Protected Print Mode is a security-focused feature of Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform that blocks all legacy print drivers, allowing only driverless, standards-based (IPP/Mopria) printing. It ensures printing in Windows is more secure by enforcing the exclusive use of the modern, safer print path.

Why Consider Moving Away from Legacy Print Drivers?

Traditional, driver-based printing models come with well-known challenges:

• Security Risks: Legacy drivers need constant updates to counter threats.
• Compatibility Issues: Older drivers often don’t support new ARM-based or Windows Co-Pilot devices.
• Reliability Problems: With every Windows update, legacy drivers can break or require reinstallation.

Microsoft’s vision with its Modern Print Platform is to eliminate these pain points entirely. By standardizing on IPP and Universal Print, Windows can:

• Enable driver-free printing. No need for vendor-specific installations.
• Support Mopria-certified devices for seamless discovery.
• Offer Universal Print, Microsoft’s cloud-based management system that removes local print servers.
• Boost print security through Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP) to enforce a driverless environment.

The Limitation of Generic IPP Class Drivers (Take Notice!)

While Microsoft’s platform offers tremendous simplicity, there’s a catch: IPP Class Drivers are generic. They lack knowledge of specific device features, resulting in:

• Limited or manual configuration options
• No recognition of advanced MFP (Multi-Function Printer) settings
• No preview before printing
• Incomplete finishing options like saddle-stitch or secure print features

Canon Print Assistant: Bridging the Gap

Canon recognized this limitation and responded with Canon Print Assistant (CPA)—a Print Support Application (PSA) that integrates seamlessly into Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform. (Download Flyer)

A. What Is Canon Print Assistant?

Canon Print Assistant is a free, automatically-installed application for Windows 11 (22H2 or later, including ARM devices) that enhances the capabilities of the IPP Class Driver by:

• Recognizing device-specific MFP settings
• Enabling advanced finishing options (e.g., stapling, saddle-stitch, secure print)
• Providing a document preview before printing
• Offering a familiar, intuitive user interface that mirrors Canon’s own drivers

B. Feature Comparison:

C. Easy, Automated Installation:

Canon Print Assistant is designed to be seamless:

1. Open Windows Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Click Add Device.
3. Windows will detect the Canon printer using the standard IPP driver and automatically download and install Canon Print Assistant.

D. Compatibility and Supported Devices:

Canon Print Assistant supports a wide range of devices, including:

• Enterprise MFPs like Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX series, imagePRESS Lite C165/C170, and imageFORCE series.
• Desktop printers like the LBP and MF series.

It also supports Windows 11 devices with ARM processors—perfect for modern business laptops and tablets.

Conclusion: The Future of Printing Starts Now.

As Microsoft drives the industry toward a modern, driver-free future, organizations need solutions that preserve advanced printing capabilities without sacrificing simplicity or print security. Canon Print Assistant is Canon’s answer—a powerful, free PSA that unlocks the true potential of the Modern Print Platform. With its ability to deliver a familiar, feature-rich experience on Windows 11 (including ARM devices), it’s the ideal bridge between Microsoft’s vision for streamlined printing and the real-world needs of businesses.

Ready to embrace modern printing? Make sure your Canon devices are equipped with Canon Print Assistant—and transform your organization’s print experience for the better. 

Want to learn more?  Schedule an appointment with Datamax Print Specialists to discuss your printing environment, explore Canon’s Modern Print solutions, and see how driver-free printing can streamline your workflows.