How can I completely uninstall this hp software?

[retainer55]

Hello,

I recently installed the driver and software for my girlfriend's printer, attempting to make an old non-wireless hp psc1500 work over our home network and print wirelessly. Well that failed miserably and caused all kinds of issues for my win 7 pc that you good people here helped me resolve.

So I uninstalled the printer through add/remove programs, but when I search the whole computer for "hp", over 1,400 files are returned totaling about 500mb, most of which are obviously left over from the failed hp printer install.

How do I completely remove these remnants, without accidentally deleting system files and other things accidentally? I simply don't have enough computer knowledge to be able to pick the right ones, and I installed Revo and CCleaner after the initial uninstall, so they are not picking up anything.


TIA

Brian

 

[nitroman84]

Very carefully I would assume what you are seeing is the directory where the installer was decompressed. If this is the case you can safely delete this and the install directory. Use caution if you have any other drivers or software from HP.

 

[retainer55]

Very carefully I would assume what you are seeing it the directory where the installer was decompressed. If this is the case you can safely delete this and the install directory. Use caution if you have any other drivers or software from HP.

I'm sorry but I really don't know what you are referring to when you say directory. I am seeing these files when I open up windows explorer, select my computer, and do a simple search for "hp" in the upper right corner. Can you please be more specific? - and I don't have any other hp devices or software that I use.

 

[nitroman84]

Okay, the directory would be the path to either the decompressed installer or the install location. By directory I mean the location of the file for example "C:\Users\Your Name\Documents" would be the documents directory. If you have no other programs or drivers from HP installed you can safely delete these files as they are only leftovers from the driver install. Good luck and if you have any other questions I'm happy to help.

 

[retainer55]

ok, I know what you're referring to now, but I'm not sure if all of these files are in fact from HP. Most of the directories point to /system32 or \winsxs and I'm just worried about jacking things up. There are almost 1,400 files still left. How can I be sure what I will delete is from HP and not a needed system file? I've attached a screenshot to show you what I mean.

 

[SIW2]

Win7 comes with drivers for HP printers already included - those may account for some of that.

You might reinstall the thing - then use a decent free uninstall app. to uninstall it and clean up.

Thank you for downloading Advanced Uninstaller Free from Download.com

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'd also try a "disk cleanup".

Type that phrase into the start button search box and hit the enter key. Choose to clean system files as well.

It might pick up some stuff that CCleaner/Revo did not.

 

[retainer55]

Thanks guys, I will try to reinstall and then use Revo to uninstall it all

 

[retainer55]

ok so I tried all of the suggestions and reinstalled and uninstalled with the advanced uninstaller program recommended, and I actually wound up with more HP software than before :shock:

When I tried to manually delete some of the files, I get errors and they won't let me delete despite being logged in as the admin. At this point, I'm ready to give up and just deal, unless anyone has an idea that I haven't tried yet.

 

[brianzion]

hi there
i find it strange that revo did not find the files? did you do the detailed scan in the choices revo gives you when the normal programs un-installer has finished? also there is a hunter option.

 

[retainer55]

hi there
i find it strange that revo did not find the files? did you do the detailed scan in the choices revo gives you when the normal programs un-installer has finished? also there is a hunter option.

I have to admit that I do not know how to effectively use Revo, so I uninstalled it and used Advanced Uninstaller Free. If you would be so kind as to walk me through it, I'd like to try.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

What do you guys think about the OP using Unlocker?
Download Unlocker 1.9.0 - FileHippo.com

Have heard good things about it but never needed it.

 

[blissmanna]

Hi, this may not be a complete solution but understand this... you cannot just do a search for the letters "hp" and assume that the files that show are related in any way to your printer installation. ALL files with the letters hp in that sequence will come up. In fact, I just reinstalled Win 7 yesterday and have NEVER installed an HP product on this computer, yet, when I type "hp" I get 1376 files showing. That is because it will show any file that has the letters "hp" in the name of the file... get it?

If your prior installation of an HP printer isn't causing you any problems then just find any FOLDERS with a name that tells you it WAS a part of the installation and delete it/them. Then do a scan of your registry using Win Utilities Free here - (WinUtilities Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com) and remove any invalid registry entries (the program will show you exactly which ones). This is all much easier than it sounds.

 

[retainer55]

Hi, this may not be a complete solution but understand this... you cannot just do a search for the letters "hp" and assume that the files that show are related in any way to your printer installation. ALL files with the letters hp in that sequence will come up. In fact, I just reinstalled Win 7 yesterday and have NEVER installed an HP product on this computer, yet, when I type "hp" I get 1376 files showing. That is because it will show any file that has the letters "hp" in the name of the file... get it?

If your prior installation of an HP printer isn't causing you any problems then just find any FOLDERS with a name that tells you it WAS a part of the installation and delete it/them. Then do a scan of your registry using Win Utilities Free here - (WinUtilities Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com) and remove any invalid registry entries (the program will show you exactly which ones). This is all much easier than it sounds.

I know, and I get that much. That was what I was orginally trying to allude to in my initial post - how can I go about differentiating between files left over from the hp printer install and ones that were automatically included in the OS?. Based on your post here, I have exactly 20 files left over. I do the same search and get 1396 files by searching "hp". The prior installation of the hp printer drivers and software was causing major problems for me which is why I said to hell with it and needed to uninstall the hp crap in the first place. I will go back through the search terms and see if I can pick out what was left over again, and then dl and run the utility you suggested - thanks man

 

[retainer55]

ok so I ran the WinUntilities registry cleaner, and CCleaner with CCEnhancer2.2. CCleaner found hp and other crap and deleted it, but WinUtilities registry cleaner keeps finding these 5 registry errors, and seems to delete/fix them, but when I reboot and rescan the same 5 keep showing up - I've attached a file showing what they are. Can anybody tell me how to fix these or what they even are?

 

[blissmanna]

You should be fine now. Those 5 entries Win Utilities cannot remove because they are in use, they are unrelated to HP printer files. The same 5 entries always remain on both of my Win 7 systems. Here is a screen shot showing the same 5 registry entries unremoved.

 

[retainer55]

excellent! thanks for the help

 

[brianzion]

excellent! thanks for the help

hi there sorry for late reply have you managed to resolve the issue now?

 

[retainer55]

I'd say for the most part yes. Thanks again for the help

 

[Problems5]

I tried to uninstall my HP printer and install a new printer. There was a document in the queue of the old printer. The status of that document shows that it is assigned to USB01. I can't print with my new printer. The documents go into the print queue for that printer, but don't show a port assignment. They don't print. The old printer icon keeps showing up even though I have selected "Remove" for it. I have reset Spooler, but that doesn't help.

Revo doesn't show any remaining HP programs. I'm really stumped.