Why is HP Smart getting installed on my computer?

[DavidLehrian]

My computer is waking up randomly and I have tracked to down to "Windows will execute 'NT TASK\HP\HP Print Scan Doctor\Printer Health Monitor' scheduled task that requested waking the computer." After searching for this issue I found this post that seems other people are having the same issue. At the end of that thread there is this link that explains how to uninstall HP Smart which is apparently the app that schedules this task. So I went ahead and did that but before I did I noticed that it was installed on 10/16/2024, approximately 2 weeks ago, and I did not install it. Why did this get installed?

[Dragon-Fur]

@DavidLehrian 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

It is normal for a printer to "self-wake" to run maintenance tasks.  Switching the printer OFF prevents that action, of course, but it also means that every time you switch on the printer it must run through a more complete self-check (slower and uses a tiny bit more ink).

HP Smart is an application that supports print and scan for PDF and Photos / Images.

The app is available in the Microsoft Store

OR (same thing)

Open the Homepage / Support Website for your printer

Category Software & Drivers > Section Install HP Smart app to complete setup and support

I do not know of a way that the HP Smart application would simply show up without having been installed.

I suppose the Scan and Print Doctor might have been involved at some point -- I've not used the "Doctor" in a long time so cannot verify what the doctor app might -- or might not - do to your setup.

What else?

Check what Windows Updates has been doing.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

[DavidLehrian]

Thanks for the reply. That is the odd thing, that this app got installed without me actually doing it. I have uninstalled it and I will watch for a while and see if it happens again.

[Dragon-Fur]

@DavidLehrian 

You are welcome.

I suspect there are other ways it can happen.

For example, if you install the printer software using Easy Start and do not select the "Full Driver" / "Full Software", the "recommended" option (when clicked) would install HP Smart.

One more thing -- depending on the printer -- and, of course, how the app ended up on the system -- the HP Smart installation might be accompanied by an additional printing queue > HP Smart Printing

HP Smart Printing is not HP Smart -- it's a Printing Queue manager and can be used with HP Smart or other apps and software (for example, Word).

Printer_Assistant_Scan_Assistant_Shortcut_Icons_on_Desktop_6

HP Smart Printing can be avoided by simply not selecting it.

HP Smart Printing -- when it is installed with HP Smart -- is persistent.  You certainly uninstall it -- That said, if you reinstall HP Smart, the HP Smart Printing queue will likely reinstall as well.

Are there advantages to HP Smart Printing?

Yes - HP Smart Printing understands the concept of Presets (Custom Shortcuts). 

Ask if you are curious, ignore, or uninstall one or both apps and hope none of it comes back.

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People who own, use, and support HP devices.

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