Microsoft is reportedly auto-installing the HP Smart app on Windows 10 and 11 PCs
Microsoft is reportedly auto-installing the HP Smart app on Windows 10 and 11 PCs

Microsoft is reportedly auto-installing the HP Smart app on Windows 10 and 11 PCs - gHacks Tech News

Which is a terrible app. I made the mistake of buying a HP printer and that app crashes more than it works (and the printer doesn't work without it, of course).
Wait, you have to have an app to print? On Windows? Can't you just install the driver and print using the Windows print interface? I understand that they have software that might have extra features, but basic printing should only require a driver, at most.
Epson is doing the same. I’m not sure if you can get scanner full features to work without their app.
If it's a scanner too, you can't use half of it.
Pretty sure you can just use the drivers. You certainly can on my HP printer.
Yeah, the highlighted download on the website will be HP Smart And All It's Infernal Bullshit, but if you're in the habit of reading and not just clicking next, next, next then usually there's a basic driver to do what you want.
Most of HP’s printers have a “Basic Print and Scan Driver” that is listed as “For IT Professional use only” on their support page. I fear the day where HP Smart is the only option.
Try it.
On USB with the basic driver specifically, modern HP printers will let you use the device for exactly 10 print jobs before it locks all functionality and demands that the unit be connected to the network and an HP account registered.
Do not buy them. Find a brother instead.
I pretty sure it is the only option for some models now.