cannot delete HP basic printer app.

[Perseshen]

After last Windows update HP printer full pack drivers was deleted and basic driver pack replaced it. I cannot download full pack and cannotm delete basic pack because two things are missing DIFX.API and DIFXAPI.dLL

This makes my printer inoperative. How do I fix this?

[Meghana_10]

Hello @Perseshen, Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.
 

We understand that after a recent Windows update, your HP ENVY Inspire 7640 series printer stopped working correctly, the full-feature HP software was replaced by a basic driver, and you are now receiving errors related to missing DIFXAPI.DLL and DIFXAPI components when attempting to reinstall the HP software.
 

Since this issue appears to be related to the Windows driver installation framework rather than the printer hardware itself, let's perform the following troubleshooting steps:
 

Disconnect the Printer

• Disconnect the printer from the computer (USB or network setup) before making software changes.

Remove Existing HP Software

• Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
• Uninstall all HP printer software, HP App components, and HP ENVY printer entries.
• Restart the computer.

Remove the Windows Class Driver

• Open Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
• Remove the HP ENVY printer.
• Open Print Server Properties > Drivers and remove any HP ENVY driver packages if available.

Repair Windows System Files

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:sfc /scannow
• After completion, run:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Restart the computer once both processes complete.

Verify Windows Installer Components

• Missing DIFXAPI files can indicate corruption within Windows driver installation components.
• Ensure Windows Update has completed successfully and that no pending updates or failed updates are awaiting installation.

Temporarily Disable Security Software

• Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or security applications.
• Attempt the HP software installation again.

Install HP App First

• Install HP App from the Microsoft Store and add the printer.
• Verify whether Windows successfully detects the printer before attempting the full-feature software installation.

Create a New Administrator Account

• Test the installation from a newly created local administrator account.
• This helps determine whether the issue is related to the current Windows profile.

Check Device Manager

• Review Device Manager for any unknown devices or printer-related entries showing warning symbols.
• Remove those entries and restart the PC before reinstalling the software.

To help us narrow down the cause, please provide:

• Your Windows version (Windows 10 or Windows 11).
• Whether the printer is connected via USB or Wi-Fi.
• The exact text of the DIFXAPI error message.
• Whether the issue began immediately after a specific Windows update.

Since the printer was reportedly working correctly before the Windows update and the error references missing Windows driver installation files, the focus should be on repairing the Windows printer-driver framework and performing a clean HP software installation.

Have a great day!

[Perseshen]

Okay, thanks but his did not work all the way. I am running Windows 11. I don't know which update caused the problem there were several and I don't print every day. I actually noticed it when I couldn't scan something.

When I try to remove the basic HP pack, I get two notices

InstallCustomActions: DIFX.API is NOT installed

InstallCustomActrions:DIFXAPI.DII is NOT installed

I followed your directions that you sent, got through the first part okay, and it told me some corrumpted friles were fixed, but when I went to 

run:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

it told me that was not a valid command.

What can I try next?

Thanks you, you have been so helpful

[Meghana_10]

You're very welcome and thank you for letting me know exactly what happened. @Perseshen 

The fact that SFC found and repaired corrupted Windows files is an important finding.
 

The DISM command in my previous reply was formatted incorrectly. Please try it again exactly as shown below.
 

1. Run DISM correctly

1. Search Windows for Command Prompt.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. In the black Command Prompt window, enter this exact command:
4. DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
5. Make sure there is a space between DISM.exe, /Online, /Cleanup-image, and /Restorehealth.
6. Press Enter and allow it to complete. It can take some time.
7. When it finishes, restart the PC.

Microsoft specifically recommends running DISM to repair the Windows component store when Windows system files are corrupted.
 

2. Then test the HP software removal again

After restarting, try removing the HP printer software again.

1. If you still receive:
2. InstallCustomActions: DIFX.API is NOT installed
3. InstallCustomActions: DIFXAPI.DLL is NOT installed
4. please don't download those DLL files from a third-party website. Those files are associated with the printer-driver installation process, and manually replacing them can create another driver problem.
5. Instead, please tell me whether the DISM command completes successfully or gives you an error, and provide the exact message if it fails.

3. One more thing before reinstalling

Because this started after Windows updates and SFC found corruption, I would first get Windows repaired before trying another HP driver installation. HP also recommends checking Windows Update history when printer functionality changes after a Windows update and then reinstalling the HP printer software if necessary. Cannot print or scan with an HP printer after a Windows update | HP® Support
 

Once DISM completes successfully, we can address the remaining HP driver package cleanly rather than continuing to fight the missing DIFXAPI components.
 

Have a great day!

[Perseshen]

DISM went fine, no error no messages. Deleted printer, deleted all the HP files, and the basic pack still will NOT let me delete it. Although this time it did ask me if E7640x64.msi could access the computer. I still get the messages about the two DIFX files. HEAVY SIGH

Again, thanks for your continuing help with this issue. All my windows update are current, 

Last feature update was 10/4/2026 Windows 11 46H2

Last Quality update was 9/25.2926 Preview Update (KB5124010) (26200.9550)

Diver updates Microsoft Corporation AudioProcessingObject Driver Update (1.0.4.7057) 7/16/2026

Definition update  KB5007651 (Version 10.0.29628.1000) Windows security 7/31/ 2026

9/9/2026 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.145 (KB890830)

It happened before the 10/4 update. But I don't know exaclty when as I don't print that often.

Thanks again for all the help, I was hesitant to try things from command prompt but I did exactly as you advised. Where do we go from here?