Finding the ACTUAL drivers - not the BS smart software

[ja30]

For those of us who have been in the tech industry for decades, we are used to installing drivers, not running some BS wizard that takes all your information without really telling you hoping you will not notice (which most people do not).

Unfortunately, this latest printer, the HP Deskjet 3752 has an "Easy Start printer setup" that again steals your information and tries to convince you it is "recommended" and you should allow HP to have it.

All I want to know is where can I get the drivers, JUST the drivers for this printer (and any other printer for that matter) and skip all this idiocracy.

Thanks.

[Dragon-Fur]

@ja30 

Your ire is perhaps misdirected - our community is a peer-to-peer group of volunteers.  We do not dictate HP policy nor do we usually engage in verbal (or text) jousts. 

Nonetheless, there is some merit to the confusion.  The name of the installation software (Easy Start) does not immediately specify that the full driver software is available for installation.

To those reading - a clarification:

The Easy Start installation software provides access to the full driver set (Full Feature Software) - you need only select that option during the Easy Start installation process.  As I recall, the choice is given perhaps 1/2 way through the procedure.  (The exact timing / location of the question be wrong and I do not care to defend my possibly poor memory.)

You need not install HP Smart; its use and installation is not mandatory.  You may ignore the suggestion to install the Smart software - the offer is not presented with any intended malice.  Many people do install and use the HP Smart software.  The HP Smart structure is similar to a Mobile Application in appearance and function; some users find this familiar format appealing.  (This comment s a personal opinion only and does NOT in any way reflect HP policy or statements.)

Should you decide not to install the printer software, the printer will likely work in basic print mode using standard Windows print drivers that are available in the Windows Operating System.

Suggestions: 

• Please do not attempt to deceive the software by mis-answering your location (the region / country).  Printer operation, including which ink cartridges are used, is determined by region.  For example: If you tell the printer you live in Spain and you actually live in Canada, the printer won't work as expected and perhaps it will not function at all.  
• If offered:  Subscription to  Instant Ink is NOT mandatory.  Simply respond appropriately to decline any offers of the service.

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Printer

Clarification of terms and "what the printer can do" (Specifications)

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), User Guides, Product Information, more

HP DeskJet 3752 All-in-One Printer

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Select the relevant post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[ja30]

Dragon-Fur,

Thank you for your detailed response.

While my frustration with HP is self-evident it was not directed explicitly or implicitly at the volunteer group.

Unfortunately, trying to talk with an actual person at HP is no longer an option, or at least a very difficult one to obtain.

The "Easy Start" option is the ONLY option offered for Windows 10+ as a driver installation option plus their "app" which shows up after plugging in the USB cable.

However, the "Easy Start" program is merely a frontend application that will then search their database for downloadable drivers. But first, you must accept their terms and if you don't look too closely at the terms on the first page you end up sending back diagnostic and usage data because it is on by default (just like Windows - HP isn't the only one) and to make it more likely someone will leave that checked it says "recommended."

From there you are given the choice of Full or Basic (Full being recommended of course) and then you are falsely given the choice of automatic install or manual. I say "Falsely" because there were never any additional prompts for the rest of the installation even with manual checked.

What I was looking for were JUST the drivers, as I stated.

After running their software it appears just the basic drivers were installed, but of course I cannot be sure since nothing happens transparently. A box with progress dots sits there until it is complete.

So, my question still stands of where to find drivers, directly, no obscurely through frontend programming.

They used to offer both options - one for those unfamiliar with drivers (ie. an easy start type of install) and just the drivers.

If that is still an option that the community knows about, great. If not...

Thanks for your attention.