"Your computer needs to restart"

[visruth]

Run this Microsoft fixit to repair corrupted uninstaller: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/download-install/remove-products/using-microsoft-fix...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/17588/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed...

[BH11]

Thank you. When I ran the program, I was asked if I was having a problem with an UNinstall or an Install. I specified Uninstall. Then it looked for a list of programs. HP Support Assistant was not listed. It said that if the program is not listed, I could enter a Product Code. Blocked again!

Any idea how I could obtain a Product Code for HPSA?

[BH11]

Okay, well, thank you for trying to help me!

I've done a System Restore to a few days ago, using the instructions under "Cannot open HP Support Assistant" on this page:  https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03601631.

My HP Support Assistant is back in my System Tray and I can open it.

And now I'm going to do all the things you suggested on that first link to disable automatic updates. Hopefully, that will solve my problem.

One more question, though: How do I avoid all these glitches when I try to UPDATE HPSA? How do I know if I am running the most current version?

[visruth]

The page I provided to download HPSA, is the one HP updates regularly.

Frankly speaking I don't give any rights to HPSA to do anything to my machine automatically.

I use HP support webpage to download, install latest drivers.

I don't allow HPSA to update BIOS at all. It has bricked many many expensive machines here.

I just use HPSA to know whether any newer driver versions are available. Then I go to my support page to download them.

[BH11]

Thanks for that advice! However... what if I want to make sure I have the latest version of HPSA itself? I tried to install the version from that page and was told that I already have a newer one installed. What's up with that?? (How is that even possible?)

And here's another question: I already have other software installed that helps me keep drivers updated. Why do I even need HPSA?

[visruth]

I'll not use other softwares to update drivers.

In case of HPSA, I'll repeat that I use it only to know whether later version have released. Then I go to HP support page and download these.

I'll not allow HPSA to do anything to my machine.

The link I provided is where HP releases the latest version. I've no idea why yours is showing newer already available.