Installing a Lexmark x2470 printer WITHOUT the bloat/extra programs?

Phaewryn · 10 Jun 2013

I got a free printer, been using it for scanning, works awesome, but has a TON of bloatware installed with the download from the company's website. Image editing programs I don't need, tracking software, etc. Is there a way I can get it to work without all the extra programs and stuff? Can I possibly force uninstall (using advanced systemcare uninstaller force uninstall) everything in the program files/lexmark 2400 series folder EXCEPT the drivers folder and it still function? Do I need some of the dll files from anywhere too though? Or is there a better way? Really sick of seeing lexmark stuff running in process explorer, programs I will NEVER use, especially. I have disabled them in services, and killed them in process explorer, but I'd rather just remove them from my system... but I need the thing to still work. Possible?

TVeblen · 11 Jun 2013

It depends on the driver package. I can do this with my Canon printer, but not with my Epson.

If the printer driver download looks like this inside:

Installing a Lexmark x2470 printer WITHOUT the bloat/extra programs?-capture1.png

Then you can do it.

If it looks like this:

Installing a Lexmark x2470 printer WITHOUT the bloat/extra programs?-capture2.png

Then you can't (or it will be more complicated).

You need the .inf files and the .cab files available. It could be possible to either find these already available in Windows Explorer, or by stopping the installer as soon as it has finished expanding files, but I have not tried this (not worth the effort to me).

If the inf and cabs are available then you can do this (after completely uninstalling the printer and all of the related software):

Plug the printer in and turn it on > W7 will detect it and try to install drivers > no drivers will be found > exit.
Control Panel > Hardware > Device Manager
In "Other Devices" will be "PRINTER" device > Rx on it > Select: "Update Driver"
Choose "Find a Driver Manually"
Browse to the driver folder that contains the .inf files > Next
It may install all 3 drivers for printer, scanner, and fax. If not, select each Unknown Device separately. (Note that there are 3 .inf files)

Note: If .inf files are already on the computer the drivers will install automatically.
You need to go to Printers > Properties for the print device > Advanced Tab > New Driver > Browse to the folder with the new drivers > select and install.

Phaewryn · 11 Jun 2013

Thanks, I will try that in the next couple of days and see what happens. There is a ton of bloat included with this printer. I have most of it disabled in services and startup, but I'd rather eliminate it if I can. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

bobafetthotmail · 12 Jun 2013

even if it looks like the second, there is a good chance that Winrar, 7zip or peazip can still extract the contents as if it was a self-extracting archive.

Another possiblity would be to get the hardware IDs of the printer and go fishing for the driver alone. This exlains how

Since you have installed already, I'd say you can nuke all utilities you don't like and be fine with it. You should only need the utility that you use for scanning (duh!), the rest can be removed. Drivers should be handled by other ways as they aren't programs like the utilities, so uninstalling utilities from Programs and Features should not affect them.

If something cannot be uninstalled without also removing printer/scanner drivers (yes, smart uninstallers can do that) I resort to finding the offending exe (has the same name as the process in Task manager) and renaming it to something else (of course must be terminated from Task Manager first). Then it will sit there dead, as long as you don't update it.