Since Thursday, the Windows Store has been installing the HP Smart app on many users’ PCs without asking. Microsoft is investigating the problem.

There are many complaints on online forums like Reddit that Microsoft recently installed the HP Smart app on Windows 11 and Windows 10 without asking many users. It’s true that the HP Smart app is automatically installed when you connect an HP device. But this is only about people without HP devices.

Microsoft is also in the dark and has launched an investigation. Several users suspect that the error is due to an incorrect labeling of the Microsoft XPS Document Writer, a virtual printer that allows printing jobs to be saved as PDF. The specifications suddenly show “HP LaserJet M101-M106” because it is a possible bug in a Windows update.

This printer may trigger an automatic download of the HP Smart app, which has suddenly appeared on many users’ PCs since Thursday.

How to remove?

Of course, we hope that Microsoft fixes the error quickly, but it is also important that we emphasize that this is not malware. HP Smart is an official program and does not affect the performance or security of your PC.

You can also easily delete the app. Click the Start button, right-click HP Smart and choose Delete. The app then disappears and is not automatically offered for reinstallation in the Windows Store. Is HP Smart not in the recently added applications list? Then the app has probably been on your PC for a while. You can still remove it by searching for “HP Smart” in the search bar and following the steps mentioned above.