Printing - Architecture and Driver Support

Microsoft-provided spooler and driver components are replaceable, so hardware vendors can easily add support for new hardware. Support for a new printer usually requires only creating new data files to use with one of the Microsoft-supplied printer drivers.

XML Paper Specification. The XML Paper Specification (XPS) defines an open document format that simplifies creating, sharing, printing, viewing, and archiving digital documents. We use XPS to optimize the print architecture of Windows Vista to significantly improve print fidelity and performance while maintaining compatibility with and support for the familiar GDI print path. See the XPS Web site.

Printing Technologies and Windows 8

• Overview of Printing in Windows 8
• Building a WSD Secure Print Device for Windows
• Developing v4 Print Drivers