HP printer software being installed on Windows 10 and 11 without user input - reports

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HP printer software appears out of nowhere on Windows PCs

Numerous Windows users have reported that the HP Smart printer application has appeared on their systems despite not having connected their machines to any of the company's hardware.

HP Smart is an app that allows users to manage their HP printers and typically comes pre-installed on HP computers.
 
This is exactly why when I get a new computer, I always first do a clean install from an official Windows 1(x) downloaded image and installation media created. Format first and then a clean install. I alone decide what programs gets installed on my computer, not Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc.
 
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I installed a Dell Inspiron at a customer. She has a Brother Laser. In Devices and Printers, an HP appeared. I just made the Brother the default printer
 
Oh this happened to me a while ago,thought windows store was just taking the piss
 
And MS has no explanation for this? Wonder what next? MS is slowly starting to force advertisements on users, forcing users to start using MS Edge, (option to remove it now possible)
If that HP Smart app has been compromised, and MS installs this by default on machines, it could be one of the biggest "**ckups" of all time, implicating all the MS machines, from hospitals to gram's computer.
A threat actor can milk the victims dry of information, keeping their data at a ransom, blackmail, IP theft, the list goes on, all the while the HP smart app is "trusted". That's why I hackintosh, and running Linux on all my other computers. MS can go die in a shallow grave.
 
PsyWulf said:
Oh this happened to me a while ago,thought windows store was just taking the piss
Click to expand...
Also had it a few months ago and wondered where it came from - don't use an HP printer at work or home. Got rid of it and it hasn't come back.
 
Hardware became self-aware, and are now utilising software to stay alive.

The time has come for humanity to fight back.

 
Gravedigger said:
And MS has no explanation for this? Wonder what next? MS is slowly starting to force advertisements on users, forcing users to start using MS Edge, (option to remove it now possible)
If that HP Smart app has been compromised, and MS installs this by default on machines, it could be one of the biggest "**ckups" of all time, implicating all the MS machines, from hospitals to gram's computer.
A threat actor can milk the victims dry of information, keeping their data at a ransom, blackmail, IP theft, the list goes on, all the while the HP smart app is "trusted". That's why I hackintosh, and running Linux on all my other computers. MS can go die in a shallow grave.
Click to expand...


I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use.
Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
 
geezer said:
This is exactly why when I get a new computer, I always first do a clean install from an official Windows 1(x) downloaded image and installation media created. Format first and then a clean install. I alone decide what programs gets installed on my computer, not Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc.
Click to expand...
I do the same, if with my company issue laptop, I wipe it and start fresh.
 
geezer said:
This is exactly why when I get a new computer, I always first do a clean install from an official Windows 1(x) downloaded image and installation media created. Format first and then a clean install. I alone decide what programs gets installed on my computer, not Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc.
Click to expand...
I don't think you understand what the issue is
 
konfab said:
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use.
Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
Click to expand...

Although HP printer software sucks no matter what your operating system.
 
I am curious if this is related to Microsoft's vision for a universal standard, moving away from legacy drivers. Baked into the Microsoft Store in collaboration with the Mopria Alliance, which is in association with printer and scanner manufacturers. This installation is triggered by this framework. The question is what broadcast was the trigger?

Today, Samsung printers are also HP printers. Additionally, some access points and network devices are bundled with firmware that allows them to function as printer servers.
 
konfab said:
Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
Click to expand...
... which is actually a Unix clone. But don't tell the penguins ...

:thumbsup:
 
Zuner said:
I do the same, if with my company issue laptop, I wipe it and start fresh.
Click to expand...
If it is a company that cares about security they'll just push out their policies and monitoring software. They definitely won't be allowing some rogue employee to remove or block them.
 
geezer said:
This is exactly why when I get a new computer, I always first do a clean install from an official Windows 1(x) downloaded image and installation media created. Format first and then a clean install. I alone decide what programs gets installed on my computer, not Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc.
Click to expand...
The article states that this even occurred on a clean install.
 
konfab said:
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use.
Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you remember to also tell the FreeDSD, NETBSD, etc. crowds as well.
 
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