Unable to completely remove HP Smart Printing

[UnhappyinWV]

I recycled the old HP OfficeJet 5200 series printer and no longer have it.  I uninstalled/removed the printer from the PC.  I uninstalled HP Smart.  Every time I reboot the computer, use Microsoft Word, and go to print, "HP Smart Printing" appears--as the default printer!  I have to scroll down to my current printer.  Removing HP Smart Printing as the default printer does not work because it simply appears as the default printer if I have to restart the PC and open Word again.  Is there any way to permanently get rid of this pestiferous program?

[Dragon-Fur]

@UnhappyinWV 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

The printing queue will persist as long as you have HP Smart installed.

You can choose to "Not" use the Smart Printing queue - as clever as it is, not everyone is s fan.

Install and select another / different printer as the Default.

Make sure Windows is not set to manage your default printer.

Finally, make sure the Driver you want is selected in Printer Properties > Advanced

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down > Switch OFF Let Windows manage my default printer

Next,

Scroll up > Select Printer from the list of printers > Set as Default

Windows 10

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Next,

Select Printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

9025_Printer_Properties_Advanced_Driver_List_14

Printer_Assistant_Scan_Assistant_Shortcut_Icons_on_Desktop_4

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

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

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

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[UnhappyinWV]

Dragon Fur, that didn't work!  I've uninstalled both the printer and the HP Smart.  Yet HP Smart Printing keeps reappearing, and as the default printer.  I have to keep changing to my non-HP printer in order to print!  The non-HP printer is my desired default, and I have tried setting it as the default several times, but the HP Smart Printing comes back as the default if I restart the computer for any reason.  MIcrosoft Support even tried.  That HP Smart Printing has been removed at least four times!  At this point, it's just wretched HP malware, in my book.

[Dragon-Fur]

@UnhappyinWV 

OK - another try.

You will need to install the HP Smart application - the goal is to reset the data in your account and then uninstall the application.

What?

In addition to the HP Smart application located in Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, the application installs data in your account > AppData hierarchy.  Like other left over bits that populate AppData over time, the HP Smart data should remain quiescent after the removal of the HP Smart app.  

A Guess

Perhaps it (the left over application data) is interfering with your default printer assignment.

Install HP Smart ( from  Microsoft Store )

Restart the computer and log in

Reset the HP Smart application

After the Reset of the app -

Restart the computer and log in

Uninstall the HP Smart app from Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

Uninstall the HP Smart Printing Queue from Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

Next,

Ensure that there is not old "HP" printer data hanging around in Windows --

Refer to the illustration "Check and Remove Section"

NOTES >

• Check / Remove old entries for the old HP printer AND the HP Smart Printing Queue
• Ignore the optional instructions to install the full driver printer software -- this is intended to (re)install an HP Printer

Check_and_Remove_Section_6

After the system is restarted,

Assuming the old printer and the unwanted HP Smart Printing queue are finally gone,

(Re)Check Printer Properties > Advanced

Select the Driver you want (for the printer you want)

Set the Default printer

Set Printing Preferences (if there is such a thing) in your Not-HP printer installed print drivers  > Check / Adjust > Save

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"