Windows 10 is getting a printing PIN option

Printed

Although Windows 10 is not getting action as it used to, Microsoft has been on record saying that it will deliver a scoped set of features to the old operating system over the coming months and years.

The focus clearly remains Windows 11, but the older OS is getting some love.

And now we have an idea of that love.

One of the new features coming to Windows 10 is also available on Windows 11, and it has got to do with printing. This new printing capability, Microsoft says, delivers on its promise that the experience of managing capabilities for the two operating systems will remain consistent until 2025.

That is the year until Windows 10 will officially be supported.

So, what is this new printing experience, you ask?

Windows 10 will soon get the ability to add a PIN to a print job. Doing so, the job is not printed until you enter the same code on the printer. Think of this as a way to avoid duplicate connections and incorrect printouts.

Microsoft claims that PIN integration could reduce paper and toner waste. At the same time, this capability also provides some privacy and increased security to users — especially in an environment with more than one printer.

Printing PIN

Enterprise customers will benefit the most from this new addition, but at least this is something that both Windows 11 and Windows 10 users will be able to enjoy.

Speaking of enterprise users, Microsoft is also adding in support for Print Support App (PSA) platform to Windows 10. This allows companies to add features and print workflows to the print experience without installing any new driver.

This new printing feature is headed to Windows 11 with build 19044.1086 (KB5014666), which is available in the Release Preview channel.

The same update also adds a new consumer friendly feature that lets you receive important notifications when the Focus Assist feature is turned on in Windows 10. The newer OS also delivers important notifications while the Do Not Disturb mode is active.

So, that’s another new addition that Windows 10 has in common with Windows 11.

Windows 10 is all set to get version 22H2 later this year, with the first preview build of this major update now out for testing. It will likely become available for all users in September alongside the same 22H2 version for Windows 11.