HP Smart app mysteriously appears on non-HP Windows PCs

Users have reported the HP Smart app appearing on Windows 10 and 11 without their installation or connection to HP devices.

[{"selector":"#anim-7fe3bd10-d01a-4da7-9e55-465419257626 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Reports of the app showing up in the new apps section of the Windows Start menu have surfaced on Reddit.

[{"selector":"#anim-532fb19d-fb7f-4ba7-b39a-14e5d9fc1169 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.499999863470876%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Users note that the app auto-installs on various Windows versions that utilize the Microsoft Store, even on devices not linked to HP products.

[{"selector":"#anim-93749a3e-24c0-4e2e-b5df-e63827cf067a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The HP Smart app is designed for managing HP printers and is typically found on HP PCs.

[{"selector":"#anim-e36b9881-e43c-4e72-8c7f-1227687cfb92 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0, 7.760782355151471e-15%, 0)","translate3d(0, 0%, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Microsoft is aware of the issue and plans to provide more details soon; speculation suggests a possible error linked to Windows Update.

[{"selector":"#anim-72747688-a43e-49a4-b1e7-86f2ddb8b63d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Uninstalling the HP Smart app is straightforward, as it is still recognized as official software.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce6b6bdc-edfb-45a9-9f02-acf45a6ffd64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.17499990397451%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Despite being a legitimate app, its automatic appearance has caused concern among users, who fear it may be related to a sinister event.

[{"selector":"#anim-43c5ffe5-5c5e-47f7-ba3d-a5236e645862 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] A recent incident involving Bing claiming that Australia doesn't exist due to a conspiracy theory also garnered attention.

[{"selector":"#anim-c3de1a9e-b96b-43c2-a35d-e022d4832812 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The HP Smart app is not the same as the full driver printer software, which is installed in Programs and Features 6.

[{"selector":"#anim-a05c9c6a-2123-4629-87fd-93a7f31d66c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] If you are having trouble with the HP Smart app after updating to Windows 11, try resetting the app or uninstalling and reinstalling it 45.