[English]Since the end of November 2023, users have reported that an "HP Smart" printer app has suddenly been installed on their systems with Windows 10 and Windows 11. In addition, the entries for printers (icon, name) may have changed under Windows. Microsoft has now confirmed the facts as of December 4, 2023 and has set about analyzing the problem. Here is a brief overview of the status.
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The HP Smart App installation incident
It was a process that drove some Windows users around the world to the barricades. At the end of November 2023, those affected noticed that an "HP Smart" printer app had suddenly been installed on their Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. For other users, the icons and names for installed printers were suddenly changed and allegedly referenced HP devices. For example, the following screenshot shows that the Microsoft XPS Document Writer is supposedly an HP LaserJet.
Even worse: This also affected users who had never installed HP devices on their Windows systems. I had reported this in the blog post Windows 10/11: "HP Smart" printer app is installed without permission and some of those affected reported it in the blog. After these confirmations, I assumed that it was a bug and that a mishap had probably occurred at Microsoft.
Microsoft is investigating the problem
This morning, a German blog reader informed me in a private Facebook message that he had received an email from Microsoft with a reference to the problem. A quick search on my part revealed that there is a new entry Printer names and icons might be changed and HP Smart app automatically installs in the "Known Issues" section of the Windows 10/Windows 11 status area.
In the post, Redmond confirms that there have been some issues with printer configurations on Windows devices that have access to the Microsoft Store. Microsoft states the following about the observed symptoms:
- The HP Smart App is installed on some Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. I described this in my blog post.
- Printers are renamed as HP printers, regardless of their manufacturer. Most will be labeled as the HP LaserJet M101-M106 model (see screenshot above). The printer icons may also be changed.
- When users double-click on a printer, the error "No tasks are available for this page" is displayed on the screen..
These symptoms are related to the automatic installation of the "HP Smart" app, writes Microsoft. Therefore, according to Redmond, Windows systems that do not have access to the Microsoft Store should probably not be affected by this problem. Microsoft also writes that printing processes are not expected to be affected by this problem. It should be possible to queue print jobs as usual.
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Other features such as copying or scanning on multifunction printers should also be usable. The printers on the device will continue to use the expected drivers for printing. Microsoft states that subsequent versions of Windows (both clients and servers) are affected by this issue:
- Client:
- Windows 11 Version 21H2 till 23H2
- Windows 10 Version 1607; 1809; 21H2; 22H2
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016
- Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB
- Server:
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server Version 1809
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2012
Microsoft says that it is still investigating this incident and will provide an update as soon as more information is available. Readers reported here in the blog that the "HP Smart" app can be uninstalled without any problems. If companies require assistance with the above problem because a printer is no longer working, they can contact Microsoft Support.
Addendum: Microsoft has published a troubleshooter for the problem – see Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool (KB5034510) fixes HP Smart App bug.
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