Windows 8 – Set Traditional Printer Settings from Modern UI App

modern-uiprintingwindows 8

How do I change settings such as print quality and duplexing when printing from a Modern UI app? Or, better yet, access all the traditional settings including greyscale, watermarks, mirroring, scaling, etc. provided by my printer driver?

From Reader (Modern UI):

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From Firefox (Desktop):

FirefoxScreenshot
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Best Answer

Windows 8 has a new printer model that allows printer drivers to add Modern-style UI.

If the manufacturer hasn't provided any configuration UI for their device, then Windows provides some standard UI that you can use with any printer. However, when the printer manufacturer has decided to invest in providing a customized experience for their device, they can provide an app that replaces the standard Windows UI. Then, when you decide to alter the configuration of the device, or when the device configuration changes during printing (e.g. paper jam), then Windows will display the manufacturer’s customized app to you instead.

You need to wait for your printer manufacturer to release a proper Windows 8 driver that adds these additional options for Modern UI apps.

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