HP OfficeJet Pro 8135 - Minimal Driver Install (Universal Print, Universal FAX component details)

[RangerZ]

I will be installing an HP OfficeJet Pro 8135 All-in-One Printer (PN: C2VK1A#B1H) this weekend for a friend, shared by 2 users, the old fashion way, using Ethernet, TCP-IP, the devices HOST name and the most basic drivers I can. Web GUI should be good enough for admin.

Seems like there is a Universal Print Driver, Universal Scan - Basic Feature Software and Driver, and 2 Fax options.

Does this Print Driver contain both PCL and PS options or is this passe?  Looks like this HPOneDriver_V4_x64.inf may be the INF file?  I have  links to PCL6 and PS from 6/1/26. Unclear if these will also work, but, hey, they are Universal?

Regarding the FAX Drivers, one is called the HP Universal Fax Driver for Windows - Driver Only at 13.7 MB and the other HP Universal Fax Driver for Windows at 25.2 MB. The documentation is not sufficiently clear IMHO, though I suspect the Driver - Only does not include the FAX app itself.   Seems like all the links I have or find for the Universal FAX software web pages are broken.

My goal is NO added software tools. Anything I am missing here for this printer?

While I am here, does anyone know the difference between the 8135 and 8135e. The "Duck" says the 8135e has FAX and USB, but the 8135 has FAX and USB based on the labels PN.  Me thinks it's HP Marketing for Margin?

Thank you

RangerZ

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @RangerZ 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I appreciate the detailed planning. Since your goal is a minimal Ethernet-based installation with no additional HP utilities, you're already heading in the right direction.

Based on HP driver information, here's the most practical approach:

• For printing: Install the Smart Universal Print Driver (V4) or the Universal Print Driver PCL6 only. HP's Universal Print Drivers are available in separate PCL6 and PostScript (PS) packages rather than one package containing both. The UPD family supports both PCL6 and PS, but they are typically installed as separate driver variants.

• For an OfficeJet Pro 8135, PCL6 is generally the preferred choice unless the users specifically work with PostScript-oriented graphics or publishing workflows.

• The HPOneDriver_V4_x64.inf you referenced is associated with HP's newer V4 driver architecture and is intended for simplified Windows deployment.

• For scanning: The Universal Scan Driver (Basic Feature Software and Driver) is sufficient if scan-to-PC functionality is needed without installing the HP App.

• For fax:

• HP Universal Fax Driver for Windows – Driver Only = virtual fax printer driver only.
• HP Universal Fax Driver for Windows = driver plus additional fax components/software.

For a minimal deployment, the Driver Only package is the cleaner choice.

• Since the printer includes an Embedded Web Server (EWS), connecting via Ethernet and managing settings through the printer's IP address is fully supported and aligns with your "no extra tools" objective. The product specifications confirm built-in Ethernet, USB, and RJ-11 fax connectivity.

8135 vs. 8135e

The hardware specifications are very similar. The "e" designation is generally associated with HP+ enabled models and bundled service offerings rather than major hardware differences. 

Both models include USB, Ethernet, wireless networking, and fax capabilities according to HP specifications.

Recommended minimalist setup

1. Connect printer via Ethernet.
2. Assign/reserve an IP address if desired.
3. Install HP Universal Print Driver PCL6 only.
4. Add printer using TCP/IP hostname or IP.
5. Install Universal Scan Driver only if scanning to PC is required.
6. Install Fax Driver Only only if PC faxing is actually needed.
7. Use the printer's Embedded Web Server for administration.

For a two-user Windows 10 environment, this is about as lean a deployment as HP supports while retaining print, scan, and optional fax functionality.

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[RangerZ]

Hi, Thanks for your reply.

I'm still not quite clear on the FAX however.  Does the DRIVER ONLY install the basic HP FAX application or is it expecting me to use a 3rd party tool (if so what might you suggest).  My general disappointment with the HP tool is that it does not (unless it's changed recently) allow one to save an incoming FAX to a folder on the Network.  I would love a work around for this.  It should also save the confirmation as part of the PDF. 

A few indirectly related items:

1 - Other than the old Add\Remove programs,  is there an HP removal tool for Printers?

2 - For reasons that I can not deduce, I am no longer receiving emails to subscribed threads, like this.  Email is correct.  Any thoughts?

3 - Not clear how the Instant INK refills work, but I assume this thin install will break that or can that be configured in the Devices Web UI?

Thank you

Ranger Z

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @RangerZ 

Thank you for the follow-up questions. Based on the HP documentation available for the Universal Fax Driver and current HP driver guidance, a few additional details may help.

Universal Fax Driver – Driver Only vs Full Package

The HP Universal Fax Driver – Driver Only package is generally intended to install the virtual fax printer driver component without the additional HP fax management software. The primary purpose is to enable applications such as Word, Acrobat, or other Windows programs to send documents to an HP fax-capable device through the print path. The HP Universal Fax Driver documentation describes the driver as a desktop fax transmission solution rather than a full fax management suite.

As for whether HP includes a standalone fax application in the "Driver Only" package, I have not found HP documentation that explicitly states that it does. Based on the package naming and available documentation, it appears to be the driver component itself rather than a complete fax application.

Regarding automatic saving of incoming faxes to a network folder, many HP business products support variants of Digital Fax, Fax to Network Folder, or Fax to Email when the feature is implemented in the device firmware. Whether the OfficeJet Pro 8135 series exposes those options would depend on the model's firmware capabilities rather than the PC fax driver. The Embedded Web Server would be the first place I would check after installation. I have not found documentation confirming that the 8135 specifically supports automatic network-folder archiving of received faxes. If it does not appear in the EWS menus, it is likely not available on that platform.

Printer Removal Tool

For consumer OfficeJet products, HP's current guidance is generally:

1. Uninstall the HP printer software from Windows.
2. Remove the printer from Devices and Printers.
3. Restart and reinstall if required.

HP provides official uninstall procedures, but I am not aware of a currently published standalone "HP Printer Removal Tool" equivalent to some of the legacy cleanup utilities that existed years ago.

Subscription Thread Emails

If you are no longer receiving email notifications from subscribed HP Community threads:

• Verify the thread is still subscribed.
• Check your Community Subscriptions & Notifications settings.
• Confirm notifications are not being routed to Spam/Junk.
• Try unsubscribing and re-subscribing to a thread.

The HP Community notification guidance still references managing subscriptions through My Settings > Subscriptions & Notifications.

One additional observation: HP Community emails are sent from the Community notification system, and email delivery settings can be adjusted from the account notification preferences page. HP Community notification emails also include direct links for updating subscription settings.

For your stated goal of a lean two-user Ethernet deployment, I would still expect:

• TCP/IP printer using hostname or reserved IP
• UPD/SUPD PCL6 variant
• EWS for administration
• Scan driver only if workstation scanning is needed
• Fax Driver Only only if PC faxing is actually required

That remains about as minimal as HP currently supports while retaining print, scan, and fax functionality.

Regards,
Hawks_Eye