Windows 8 streamlines printing, puts old architecture on the chopping block

[wraggster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/win8-printing.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/windows-8-streamlines-printing-puts-old-architecture-on-the-cho/)Anyone who's ever attempted to configure a new printer (http://www.engadget.com/tag/Printers/) from their PC knows the process can be cumbersome at best and Microsoft (http://www.engadget.com/tag/Microsoft/) largely agrees. So, in anticipation of its upcoming OS refresh (http://www.engadget.com/tag/windows+8/), Redmond's pulling back the curtain on how it managed to trim the fat from its previous printing architecture. The new system which will underlie both consumer-focused iterations of Windows 8, simply dubbed v4, slims down the 768MB of disk space previously required on Vista for a significantly lighter 184MB (an average) footprint in Windows 8 and adds greater in-box support for more commonly used, contemporary printers -- specifically for Windows RT (http://www.engadget.com/tag/Windows+RT/). The team's also worked hard to keep the experience consistent, separating manufacturer UIs from drivers and paving the way for Metro-style support where necessary. The changes will reportedly ease the load on ARM-based devices and streamline the end user experience with a hassle-free, plug-and-play approach. In the words of team program lead Adrian Lannin, "it just works." Indeed, we'll be sure to find out if it does this October 26th (http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/18/microsoft-windows-8-ship-date-october-26-confirmed/). Hit up the source below to sift through the minutiae of these behind-the-scenes changes.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/windows-8-streamlines-printing-puts-old-architecture-on-the-cho/