How can I disable the HP Updates Agent from running?

[srkoenig]

HP pavilion D4100Y

Windows XP  SP2 or 3 (not sure)

No error message

No recent changes

Problem: The program "Updates from HP Agent" runs frequently and on no particular schedule, certainly not one I chose.  It takes over my computer for hours and uses most of the CPU, fluctuating from 13% to 87% to 1 etc.3% to 6%, etc. The computer hangs and I cannot use it for anything else. On the HP Updates screen, I set the updates to "NEVER" but that didn't work.  The programs still run. On the Windows Task Manager window the program is called "Updates from HP Agent".

I cannot find anything about this problem in the support database.

How can I disable the HP Updates Agent from running?

[ShanaeH · Accepted solution]

Select your start button and in the search box type "msconfig" then select msconfig.exe under programs.

Look under the "Services" and "Boot" tabs. Uncheck HP update agent, select "Apply" and close.

[srkoenig]

thanks. this works. after all the trouble this caused me, I wish I had known sooner. You're the best!

[bastiani]

I was hopeful when I read this solution, but there is no HP update agent in my msconfig window.  Nor is there anything called an HP updater in my list of programs.

In MSCONFIG

• Under the boot tab, I only have one thing: "Windows 7"
• Under the services tab, I find: "hpqcxs08"; "HP CUE DeviceDiscovery Service"; and "HP Network Devices Support"
• Under the Startup Tab I find: "hp digital imaging - hp all-in-one series" three times with three different locations listed under the "command" column

I don't want to stop the printer from working, but I'd really like to stop the updater.

[Bchoard]

I have the same problem and followed your suggestion.  However I get an error message: "An Access Denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need to log on using an Administrator account to make the specified change."  I AM the administrator and ONLY account on this computer.

Help!