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HP Recommended
HP Support Assistant
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Originally asked by Jwckauman

 

Once a week, the HP Support Assistant running on my computer sends out a SNMP broadcast in an attempt to discover other devices that it might be able to add to "my devices" and help support. This is causing some errors on some of the devices because we have locked down SNMP in a few places, and my Support Assistant doesn't have the credentials to query those devices. Is there a way to prevent HP Support Assistant from doing this weekly scan for devices via SNMP? I like having Support Assistant available for diagnosing issues on my PC and printer, but i don't need this device scan feature. How do I stop it? If you can't help, looks like we must just have to uninstall the software and not use it.

1 REPLY 1
HP Recommended

@DerekG64 

 

It sounds like you might be working in an Enterprise environment - perhaps using commercial / business class machines?

 

If that is the case, especially if you are using business class computers, you do not have any direct need of the HP Support Assistant software for Updates - so, yes, it can certainly be uninstalled.

 

Alternatively, if you need / want to keep the HPSA around, consider setting it to one of the two less obvious options in Settings:

Check for updates, but let me choose which updates to download and install

OR

Never check for updates

 

Additionally, set the software so it does not send anonymous data to HP.  While the data contains nothing about which you need be concerned, it is an extra bit of communication that your environment may not easily tolerate.

 

Shut off the option to show contact information, warranty options, and messages.

 

De-select (clear all boxes) under "Choose how you would like to be notified".  This does not remove the software but it does remove the icon from the Taskbar and prevents the software from jumping out at the users at odd times.  The software is still available when called and can, for example, be added to the Windows Start tile menu.

 

Consider:  Do not use the HPSA to update the BIOS.  Although the HPSA method works most of the time, the BIOS updates are fussy, BIOS must ONLY be conducted while the machine is connected to AC power, and BIOS updates should never be installed out-from-under someone when they are using the computer for other tasks.  

 

 

References

 

============================================================================

Commercial / Business class machines - Updates

 

Single System Management Software – HP Image Assistant

 

Many newer business (commercial) computers are supported in the HP Image Assistant management grade software. 

 

At this writing: If your computer was manufactured before the EOL date for the Software Download Manager, you can choose to use (or continue using) SDM.

 

HPIA Information and Download

 

Business Systems - Client Management Solutions (software management)

Scroll to the bottom of the Website for additional information and links.


HP Image Assistant is a free tool that aids IT Administrators improve the quality and security of their PC Windows image by diagnosing the image, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and analyzing their PC’s readiness for migration between Windows 7 and Windows 10.

HP Image Assistant can be downloaded at the HP Manageability website.

HP Image Assistant (HPIA)

 

From the Image Assistant Web page:

 

Single System Management Software – Softpaq Download Manager

  

SDM (at this writing) still supports many business class systems manufactured prior to the software's EOL (End of Life) announcement. 

 

The SDM software is no longer listed in Client Management Solutions.

 

NOTICE:  The Download Library marks SDM as "EOL July 2019"

 

White Paper on the subject (document may or may not load - access appears to be temperamental).  If the file does not open, try copy/paste of the address into your browser address bar (URL).

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/whitepapers/SDM_EOL.pdf

 

Partial Excerpt of the SDM "End of Life" PDF file content:

Confidentiality
This document can be shared internally & externally.

Introduction
HP is retiring HP SoftPaq Download Manager (HP SDM) on July 31st, 2019, it will be replaced by HP Image Assistant.

 

break...

Except continues:

Will I be able to continue to use SDM?
Yes, SDM, will continue to work and have access to updates (SoftPaqs) for older
products launched before July 31st, 2019. SoftPaq Download Manager will not be tested
with new product launched after July 31st, 2019. HP recommends using HP Image
Assistant to access updates to new products.

 

SDM Download and Help

 

4.4.0

sp87158

04/20/2018

Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10)

sp87158.exe

sp87158.html

 

How-to and Instructions:

HP Notebook PCs - Using HP SoftPaq Download Manager

 

Once the SDM software is installed, the Help document can be accessed within the software or on disk:

  • Open SDM software, Click the Blue Question mark “?”in the upper left of the main SDM window.
  • Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP SoftPaq Download Manager > Select language appropriate .chm file

 

 

If you can do so, it is time to migrate to the  HP Image Assistant

 

Multi-System Deployment - HP System Software Manager (HP SSM)

 

“The HP System Software Manager (SSM) is a utility that automatically detects and updates BIOS, device drivers, and management agent versions on your networked PCs.”

 

SSM – Download, Release Notes, User Guide link

 

============================================================================

HPSA - Uninstall (Optional)

 

  1. FIRST uninstall the HP Support Assistant

 

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features 

Scroll down, find, Uninstall the HP Support Assistant

After the uninstall is completed, Restart the computer and log in

 

Important:  When / If asked whether you want to save any presets / personal HPSA information, respond to have your personal data associated with the program removed along with the HPSA software.

 

NOTE:  If the software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and then shows up again, or is otherwise not “going away” when you tell it to do so, try an Uninstaller program.

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

 

 

  1. Restart the computer and log in

 

  1. Uninstall HP Support Solutions Framework software from Programs and Features

 

NOTE:  HP Support Solutions Framework is a subset of HPSA.  For this reason, HPSA must be uninstalled before the Solutions Framework can be removed.

 

  1. Restart the computer and log in. 

============================================================================

Settings

 

HPSA_Settings_V8.X_1AHPSA_Settings_V8.X_1A

 

 

============================================================================

BIOS

 

Reminder – Manually Update the BIOS

 

NOTES

  1. The suggestion to always manually install BIOS updates is based on my experience. 
  2. If you do not agree with this assessment, simply ignore the suggestion.

 

HP Documents – How to Update the BIOS

   HP Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

   HP Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

 

How to install BIOS Updates:

Always connect the computer to AC Power and leave the power connected during the entire BIOS update procedure.

Select the option to manually install the BIOS update.

 

 

Open HPSA Software

Settings > Set to “Notify” as opposed to “Auto-Update”

Save Changes > Restart the computer and log in

Open HPSA

Check for Updates > Use the list to determine candidates for update

  • Click on each update in the list to see a short description of that package
  • If BIOS is offered, simply set to “ignore” or otherwise remove this update from list of potential updates
  • If desired:  Install other HP software and updates using HPSA or manually install those updates

 

 

Check Current BIOS version

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > System Information

System Summary - Check the information next to BIOS Version / Date 

 

============================================================================

 

Reference and Resources – Places to find help and learn about your Device

Clarification of terms and "what the device can do" (Specifications)

Device Homepage

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

➡️  HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Service and Maintenance Guide (Replacement Parts and Procedures), Product Information (Specifications), more

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

 

Dragon-Fur

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.