Microsoft releases downloadable tool to fix phantom HP printer installations
Enlarge / The HP LaserJet M106w is likely one of the printer fashions that’s mysteriously showing for some customers in Home windows 10 and 11.
HP
Earlier this month, Microsoft disclosed an odd printer bug that was affecting some customers of Home windows 10, Home windows 11, and numerous Home windows Server merchandise. Affected PCs had been seeing an HP printer put in, often an HP LaserJet M101-M106, even after they weren’t really utilizing any sort of HP printer. This bug might overwrite the settings for no matter printer the person really did have put in and in addition prompted the set up of an HP Good printer app from the Microsoft Retailer.
Microsoft nonetheless hasn’t shared the foundation reason for the issue, although it did make it clear that the issue wasn’t HP’s fault. Now, the corporate has launched a repair for anybody whose PC was affected by the bug, although as of this writing, it requires customers to obtain and run a devoted troubleshooting device accessible from Microsoft’s assist website.
The December 2023 Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Instrument is obtainable for all affected Home windows variations, and it’ll take away all references to the phantom HP LaserJet mannequin (so long as you do not have one put in, anyway). The device may also take away the HP Good app so long as you do not have an HP printer hooked up and the app was put in after November 25, presumably the date that the bug started affecting methods. These steps ought to repair the problem for anybody with out an HP printer with out breaking something for individuals who do use HP printers.
There are 4 completely different variations of the troubleshooter, relying on whether or not you have got the 32- or 64-bit model of an Arm or x86 model of Home windows. Microsoft may also launch an extra really useful troubleshooting device “within the coming weeks” that may repair the issue in Home windows 11 upon a person’s request with out requiring the obtain of a separate device.
Microsoft has stated that, regardless of the renaming and the obtain of the HP Good device, most elementary printing performance ought to proceed to work as supposed for customers affected by the issue. But when your printer depends by itself exterior app to supply further settings or additional performance, you may must run the troubleshooting device (or manually uninstall the phantom HP printer and reinstall your personal printer) to get issues working correctly once more.
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