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Using Core Drivers

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Important

We recommend that you use Microsoft's IPP inbox class driver, along with Print Support Apps (PSA), to customize the print experience in Windows 10 and 11 for printer device development.

For more information, see the Print support app design guide.

Print driver writers can use core drivers that they have written by listing the core model GUID in the model section of the INF, and using the PackageAware and CoreDriverSections keywords.

For example:

[Version]
Signature="$Windows NT$"
Class=Printer
ClassGUID={4D36E979-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Provider="OEM Company"
CatalogFile=PackageAware.cat     ; Single Catalog file for all OS versions
DriverVer=10/10/2005, 1.2.3.4
PnpLockdown=1

[Manufacturer]
"OEM Company" = Company, NTx86.6.0

;Models section for installation of x86 driver on
; Windows Vista and later

[Company.NTx86.6.0]
"My Device Description"  = DriverInstall_Vista, OEM_Company_NameABC_123A
; Core driver definition as discussed in the section Writing Core Drivers
"{GUID1}" = {GUID1}, {GUID1}

[DriverInstall_Vista]
CopyFiles=@file.dll
CoreDriverSections="{D20EA372-DD35-4950-9ED8-A6335AFE79F0},UNIDRV.OEM,UNIDRV_DATA,TTFSUB.OEM", "{GUID1},MANUFACTURER_CORE"
The package install section must also be added, and list all core driver dependencies:
[PrinterPackageInstallation.x86]
PackageAware=TRUE
CoreDriverDependencies={D20EA372-DD35-4950-9ED8-A6335AFE79F0},{GUID1}