Problem with HP ProtectTools

slowtrain · 03 Feb 2011

When I try to set a password for new account, I always get "password does not meet the password policy requirements" error. Password Policy is disabled, of course.

Prime suspect is HP ProtectTools Security Manager but I cannot remove it because uninstall throws Error 1001.

My colleague has identical system (hardware + software) with the exception of not using HP ProtectTools (he probably removed it immediatelly after starting up his new system several months ago) and has no problems of this kind.

bobtran · 03 Feb 2011

Take a look at these tutorials:
Password must meet Complexity Requirements - Enable

Introduction to Windows 7 Policy – Local User Security Policy

Bill2 · 03 Feb 2011

HP Protecttools is a tough cookie to uninstall. There are numerous hp threads devoted to that subject. Unless you have the stamina to go through them, I suggest you consider a clean install.

slowtrain · 03 Feb 2011

Could you post links to some of those hp threads? What I've seen so far only suggested to uninstall some other ProtectTools components before attempting to uninstall the main Security Manager and I've tried that but to no avail.

Bill2 · 04 Feb 2011

slowtrain said:

Could you post links to some of those hp threads? What I've seen so far only suggested to uninstall some other ProtectTools components before attempting to uninstall the main Security Manager and I've tried that but to no avail.

Me too. But see this thread, it talks about disabling an associated service.

Removing HP ProtectTools? - HP Support Forum

But, unless you use any of this stuff, I would try and uninstall. Try doing so in safe mode, but for that you may need a little tweak first.

SafeMSI.exe - Start Windows Installer Service in Safe Mode | Technibble

If that doesnt work, as I said you can do a clean install if you can lay your hands on a win7 install dvd, using the sticker key to activate.

slowtrain · 04 Feb 2011

Tried it - no luck. Looks like busy weekend reinstalling everything.

gregrocker · 04 Feb 2011

When a program will not uninstall correctly, it's best to reinstall it to then try uninstalling it. To install an HP utilitiy you may need to extract it from Recovery Disks using this method: https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...tml#post488270

Once reinstalled try uninstalling using Revo Uninstaller:
http://www.guidingtech.com/457/revo-uninstaller/

If this fails, clean reinstall with your version Win7 installation DVD using Product Key on COA sticker. Here are tips to get a purrfect factory OEM reinstall: re-install windows 7

If you cannot borrow or otherwise find a Win7 installation DVD or unlock another version one as given in tips above and must reinstall the HP factory bloatware and useless utilities using Recovery Disks, here are tips to clean up bloatware: HP laptop has used up all four primary partitions

slowtrain · 04 Feb 2011

First I tried to repair the installation and it worked ok but uninstall kept throwing Error 1001. Then I downloaded the latest version of HP ProtectTools Security Manager and tried to install it but it failed since it needed to uninstall the currently installed version (again, Error 1001).

I'll try with Revo Uninstaller. Thanks for the info...

Jacee · 04 Feb 2011

Look in services.msc and see if this security manager is set to 'automatic'. Right click and choose properties, set to disabled and stop the service.

It may be easer to uninstall, if it's not running.

slowtrain · 04 Feb 2011

Revo Uninstaller didn't help. I did the clean install and skipped on installing HP ProtectTools Security Manager and now I can create other accounts with no problem.

Once I'm completely done with bringing computer up-to-date with all the software necessary for my work, I'll create a system image and then install the latest version of HP ProtectTools Security Manager just to see if it causes the same problems as the older one.