Accidentally removed access to everyone on my printer driver; need fix

[mcoyle256]

I was trying to fix the problem of my neighbor using my wireless printer that I have networked on my WIFI.  I accidentally denied access to EVERYONE in my Windows 10 control panel, and now I can't reverse, even when working as admin.  I tried deleting the printer and reinstalling and that didn't work.  I don't see how to rename the printer to attempt another reinstall, and frankly don't know what to do.

[Dragon-Fur]

@mcoyle256

I am not at all sure what you did -- there are a number of ways to lock up the network.

If you can provide details on what you were doing, it might narrow down the search for a solution...

Locking up the Control Panel might mean you have locked access to your home network.

Reminder:  The following may -- or, more likely NOT -- be relevant to your situation.

For example,

netsh "denyall" can be used to keep "others" out of your network - very nice, but it can backfire.

• To deny all “ad-hoc” networks from accessing your network:

Open command line prompt with Admin permission and type:

netsh wlan add filter permission=denyall networktype=adhoc

Warning:  Using "denyall" could lock up your SSID network!

To Open access to your SSID:

netsh wlan add filter permission=all ssid=MyHomeNetwork networktype=infrastructure

where "ThisOldNetwork" is the name of your internal network.

 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

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

[mcoyle256]

I had actually entered the Control Panel, and selected the HP 5660 printer, selected the security tab & modified the access to deny access to "everyone".  Stupid, but I was thinking that this tab had allowed everyone access.  When I selected that option, all the tabs regarding the device driver disappeared, the device driver for the printer was then unavailable, and I could not get access back even when running as admin.  I tried deleting and reinstalling the device driver, but to no avail. 

I fixed the problem by using the HP Printer utilities to modify the name of the printer, and reinstalled the device driver from HP.  Apparently, Windows 10 remembers the old device driver name, and the device driver with the new name is fully operational and available.  Problem solved.

[RichAnt]

Hi Mcoyle,

Forget it, I moved the computer closer to the printer (saw that tip) and using HP Smart it found the printer driver (which was already installed) and successfully connected and found the driver.

I still would be interested to know what and where the HP Printer utility is.  I don't see it.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Original query:

I also have problem the installation does not find the driver.  Where do you find the HP Printer utilities?  

... and could you detail the steps of changing the printer's name.  Thanks in advance.

Rich

[mcoyle256]

I had already joined the group, had a password, and registered my printer when I initially installed it (prior to messing it up). 

In any event, I opened the Control Panel, selected "Hardware and Sound", selected "Devices and Printers", to display the devices/printers installed, and clicked on the HP Printer in question.  I then selected the Option "Customize Your Printer".  The device name is in a text box,and can be changed.

[mcoyle256]

Incidentally, in Windows 10, to find the printer utilities, (again, I had already done a comlete installation prior to messing up the device driver) I simply typed HP in the search box, and it popped up two selections:  "HP Smart" and "HP Update".  The "HP Smart" allows access to printer utilities.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@mcoyle256

OK -- it sounds like you changed the permissions on the executable.

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on Printer >

Printer Properties > tab Security >

Highlight / Select Everyone > Deny Access

For those reading -- provided as an example -- do NOT do this at home.  Smiling.

Well, this is not as common as some other things people have done -- but it is certainly not the first time it has happened.  You are not alone.  Smiling.

Information and how-to:

How to take ownership and get full access to files and folders in Windows 10

Side Bar

If you have not done so, you can uninstall the HP Update program -- the program has been retired and is no longer functional.

Reference Document

HP Update Software - Retired

Excerpted:

HP Update, also known as the HP Software Update Utility, has been retired and is no longer providing new software updates. When HP Update checks for updates, a No new updates available message displays.

HP recommends uninstalling HP Update with the Uninstall a program feature in Windows.

@RichAnt

Perhaps the reason "Utilities" sounds like a foreign object is simply because there are several ways to get to the same location -- @mcoyle256 has described an additional path / method to open the Printer Properties.

Option - Open Printer Properties

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Double-Left-Click on Printer >

Customize Printer > Select name of printer > Printer Properties

Alternate - Open Printer Properties

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on Printer >

Select name of printer > Printer Properties

Alternate - Open Printer Properties

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager > Open category Printers >

Right-Click on Printer > Properties > tab Settings >

Devices and Printers Folder > Right-Click on Printer >

Select name of printer > Printer Properties

Dissimilar - other access - FYI

Open Printer Utilities

Printer Assistant shortcut icon on the Desktop named for your printer >

Utilities >

• Printer Setup and Software
• Update IP Address
• HP Print and Scan Doctor
• HP Product Improvement Study

Open Toolbox

Printer Assistant shortcut icon on the Desktop named for your printer >

Estimated Ink Levels icon >

Options perhaps include and may not be limited to:

• Device Services
• Device Information > 

           >> Printer EWS Home Page

           >> Get Printer Status

• Device Reports
• HP Instant Ink
• Estimated Ink Levels
• Printhead Health
• Advanced Settings
• HP Cartridge Protection

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

@mcoyle256

I am glad you have managed to solve the problem.

Good Job!

Happy Printing!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

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

[mcoyle256]

Thanks for the info, Dragon-Fur;  much appreciated.  I'm relatively ignorant when it comes to Microsoft and/or Windows.  Lived prior life in unix.

[Dragon-Fur]

@mcoyle256

Unix !

Lived, breathed, and spoke Unix for many years.

I doubt there are many of us left.  ⌛️

It it did take a while to adjust to Windows.

Smiling.