HP Universal Printer drivers uninstall instructions aren't usable on Windows 7

[davehpro]

I've been having printer problems with non-HP printers since installing HP's universal print drivers, and all attempts to uninstall them completely have failed. I recently noticed a malware scan revealed an adware in one of their files, and I want to safely completely uninstall all HP printer software from the computer properly.

I tried following the instructions here: 

http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c01839749#N112DF

However, when I go to the "Printers folder" (which they earlier define as ultimately Start > Devices and Printers), there's no "File menu" anywhere to go to Services. The printer has already been uninstalled. I don't know how to actually uninstall the software properly.

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi @davehpro,

I would like to help you remove the Universal Print Driver you have installed.

I suggest using the following steps to delete the printer from device and printers, and the driver from the server properties.

1. In the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder

2. Choose ‘Print server properties’.

• Win XP – With no printer selected, click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows Vista – With no printer selected, press ‘Alt’ then click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows 7/8 and 8.1 – Select any printer in the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder and click ‘Print Server properties’ above.

3. Click on the ‘Drivers’ tab at the top of ‘Print server properties’ window

4. Choose the printer you want to uninstall and click ‘Remove’

5. Choose 'Remove driver only'

6. The next screen will give a warning, letting you know that deleting the driver package will remove it from the system. Click ‘Yes’ to say that you are sure you want to do this.

If documents are stuck in the print spooler, you may see an error, cancel any documents pending in the print queue, or try restarting the print spooler, then try to remove the driver from ‘Print server properties’ again. If it still won’t remove the package, restarting the computer and the printer should resolve this ‘in use’ error and allow the driver to be removed.

• If the you continue to get an 'in use' message follow the steps in the document here; The Specified Printer Driver is Currently in Use

Please let me know if this allows you to remove the driver or not and we can proceed from there.

[davehpro]

Thanks, I followed the instructions and uninstalled all HP print drivers, but I still have a folder C:\HP Universal Print Driver; can I just delete that? 

Also I see in services.msc Pml Driver HPZ12... what is that? It's stopped, but Startup type is Automatic. I thought your instructions uninstalled all HP drivers.

Where else do I look to find HP software? I don't want it to be anywhere.