Microsoft Universal Print: Cloud Print Management

Microsoft Universal Print is a cloud-based print solution included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Enterprise plans. It eliminates on-premises print servers by routing print jobs through the Azure cloud to printers connected via the Universal Print connector. Setup: install the Universal Print connector on a Windows computer on the same network as the printers. Register printers with Universal Print in the Azure portal (Universal Print > Printers). Assign printers to Azure AD users or groups. Users install printers in Windows Settings > Printers & scanners > Add a printer > find Universal Print printers. Benefits: no print server to maintain or patch, works for remote workers (print jobs routed through the cloud even when not on the office network), centralizes print management in the Microsoft 365 admin center, and supports any printer that has a print driver. Current limitations: not all printers are natively Universal Print compatible (the connector bridges the gap), and advanced features like follow-me printing require a connector. For organizations already on Microsoft 365, Universal Print is worth evaluating as a print server replacement.