Files AD2F1837.HPRPRINTERCONTROL in APPDATA keep growing and cannot be removed

[MG091]

Recently when I would run one of my computer maintenance and cleaning programs I would get a message that "The following files are protected against secure overwriting and cannot be erased. The files are in USERS\NAME\APPDATA\LOCAL\PACKAGES\AD2F1837.HPPRINTERCONTROL_V10Z8VJAG6KE6\LOCALSTATE followed by the specific file. It started out with 2 or 3 files, but now keeps growing so there are 14 at the present time. Does anyone know what these are and whether I can remove them or not?

Thank you.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@MG091 

Welcome to the HP Community --

The folder must remain in place as long as you have HP Smart installed.

Considering the vast amount of data that generally resides in AppData, what you find in this folder is perhaps insignificant.

Assuming the folder is only used for the HP Smart application (and possibly for related queue / purpose),

the following might work...

If you are determined to proceed and you are willing to lose (stop using) the HP Smart Application,

Try this:

First, Reset the HP Smart application

Restart the computer and log in

Next, Uninstall the HP Smart application

Restart the computer and log in

See of you can uninstall that folder.

If that does not work,

If the HP Smart Printing queue is installed (unlikely for this printer model),

Open Printers and Scanners > Find, Right-Click, and Remove the HP Smart Printing queue.

Restart the computer - log in - try again.

Will it work?

Unknown ..

Example -- Do skip any suggestion that you reinstall the app -- doing so does create the folder and will inevitably use the folder for necessary app data.

HP_Smart_Win_Apps_Reset_2

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

[MG091]

Thank you for such a quick response. My concern was more about what these files were doing and why every time I scanned my computer there were more of them. I didn't know what they contained or what purpose they serve.  Maybe I'll find that out sometime.  Meanwhile, I will take your suggestion and just leave them alone for no. I use the Smart App so little that I can't see worrying about it.

Thank you again.

[MG091]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think I will worry about it too much too much right now since messing the printer software is not something I want to spend at lot of time on, but because of the information both you and Dragon-Fur have provided I feel more comfortable just tracking things for now.

I appreciate your assistance.

MG091