Jump to content
United States - English

Uninstalling the Product Software in Windows XP

Give us feedback

This document:
  • » Was helpful
  • » Was not helpful
  • » Does not apply

Support details

Introduction
This document explains how to uninstall (remove) the print driver and other HP software from your computer that has a Windows XP operating system. The print driver is the main software program that allows the computer to run the product. You also might have installed additional software that was packaged with the print driver to enhance the functionality of the product.
NOTE: If you are trying to resolve a particular issue or error message, uninstalling and reinstalling a driver might not resolve the issue. Unless you know that reinstalling is the correct solution, search for help documents that pertain to your specific issue or error message.
Before you begin, decide whether you want to remove all the software or only certain components. Remember that if you have more than one HP product installed on your computer, some of the software might be shared.
Uninstalling the software
To remove the print driver and other software, try the following methods in order. If one method does not work, continue to the next one.
IMPORTANT: disconnect the USB cable from the HP product before you begin uninstalling the software.
Method one: Run the HP uninstaller from the start menu program list
The HP uninstaller program might be available from your start menu, depending on the product model and type of installation you performed. Try the following option to quickly check whether you have the HP uninstaller, and then run it.
  1. Click Start , and then click All Programs .
  2. Click the HP or Hewlett Packard folder, and then click the folder for your product. The folder is labeled according the product series number.
    If there is no folder for your product, continue to the next method to uninstall the software.
  3. Click Uninstall or Uninstall Software , and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
    CAUTION: If asked to remove shared files, click No . Other programs that share these files might not work if you delete the files.
Method two: Uninstall the software using the Windows Control Panel
Follow these steps to uninstall from the program list in the Windows Control Panel.
  1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel .
  2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs . A list of programs installed on your computer opens.
  3. In the list of installed programs, find your HP product driver. The driver might not be listed by product model. Look for the product type, such as PSC, Officejet, or All-in-One.
    If your product does not appear in the list of installed programs, continue to the next method to uninstall the software.
  4. Click the driver, and then click Remove .
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
    CAUTION: If asked to remove shared files, click No . Other programs that share these files might not work if you delete the files.
    If you want to remove other software components associated with your product, repeat steps 1 - 5 in this method for each component.
  6. When you finish deleting software, restart the computer.
Method three: Remove the All-in-One in the Printers and Faxes folder
If the previous methods were unsuccessful, follow these steps to remove the driver through the Printers and Faxes folder.
  1. Click Start , and then click Printers and Faxes . The Printers and Faxes folder opens.
  2. Find the icon ( ) representing your HP product, right-click it, and then click Delete .
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  4. Repeat the steps in this method to delete any additional icons that represent your product, such as a fax icon.
Method four: Download an HP utility to remove the software
HP created a utility program to remove the product software from your computer. You can download the program from the HP Web site. The utility removes HP OfficeJet and PSC software from the hard drive and registry, including partial installations of supported HP software. Use this utility only if the previous methods were not successful.
CAUTION: If you have other HP All-in-One, Deskjet or Photosmart printers or HP ScanJet scanners and Photosmart camera products connected and installed on your computer, this utility might also remove components of those products. If you have any of these additional products installed, uninstall the software for these products before running the utility .
  1. Check the software version if you are not sure what it is:
    1. Double-click the HP Director icon on the desktop, and then click View & Print .
    2. Click the Help menu, and then click About HP Photo & Imaging .
    3. Read the version number in the message window, and then close the HP Director windows.
  2. Open a new window to download the utility:
    1. Right-click this link, Software Cleanup Utility , and then click Open in New Window .
    2. Thoroughly review all the instructions and information provided on the utility page, and then click Download only .
    3. Click Save , browse to a convenient location on your computer, and then click Save again.
      NOTE: The file name is HpAiOScrubber_v2038.exe
  3. When the download dialog box displays Download Complete , click Run .
    NOTE: Click Run again if the computer displays a Security Warning message.
    The HP Officejet/PSC Scrubber window displays.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the utility.
  5. Double-click the HP AiO Scrubber icon on the desktop to run the utility, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
    Figure 1: HP AiO Scrubber icon
  6. When you are prompted to reboot (restart) your computer, click Reboot Now .
  7. After the computer restarts, you might see a DOS window. Type Y and then press Enter at each prompt to delete a file.
    When you no longer see the DOS window, the process is complete.


Other solutions customers found helpful

» HP All-in-One Products -- Installing the Product Software in Windows XP for a USB Cable Connection
» HP All-in-Ones, Printers, and Cameras -- The HP Director Window Does Not Open in Windows XP
» HP Printers and All-in-Ones -- Fatal Error 'Error 1603. A fatal error occurred during installation.' (MSI Error 1603) Displays During Software Installation in Windows 2000 and XP
Search
Contact HP