Avast ye mateys! Microsoft hath fixed this ghastly Windows 11 printer calamity – but the solution may astonish ye!
2023-12-19
Arrr, matey! Methinks the cure fer Windows 11's odd HP printer bug be a wee bit odd indeed, truth be told! Nay doubt, 'tis a peculiar matter, that be!
Windows 11 and Windows 10 users have been dealing with a peculiar bug involving printers, but fear not, for a solution has arrived. However, this fix comes with a twist. Microsoft requires the installation of a standalone troubleshooting utility to address the issue, making the process a bit unconventional.The problem at hand is that some PCs are getting the HP Smart app installed even if they don't have an HP printer connected or any printer at all. Additionally, printers are being renamed as a specific HP LaserJet, causing certain functionalities to fail. This has led to confusion, especially for those without a printer, as the Microsoft Print to PDF icon gets renamed as well.
To resolve these printer woes, users need to download the troubleshooting tool from Microsoft's website and run it. This will reverse any printer renaming, restore correct printer icons, and uninstall the unwanted HP Smart app if necessary. The full instructions on how to use the tool can be found on Microsoft's support page.
The bug was suspected to be caused by incorrect metadata in a Windows update, which mistakenly identified printers as HP LaserJets. The fix, called the 'Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter,' confirms this theory. While it is unusual to have a separate download for a fix like this, it is a much-needed solution for those experiencing issues beyond basic printing functionality.
Overall, this bug may have caused some frustration, but with the troubleshooting tool in hand, users can now set sail on smoother printing seas.