Earlier this month, some Windows 10 and 11 users encountered a strange bug where their computers showed an HP printer installed (usually an HP LaserJet M101-M106) when another device was actually being used.
This bug could overwrite the settings of any printer the owner actually used, and it also installed the HP Smart printer app from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft has not yet announced the cause of the problem, but has released a fix for all affected computers – a tool called Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter (as of December 2023), which must be downloaded from the company’s support site. It removes all references to the phantom HP LaserJet model, as well as the HP Smart program (unless you have another HP printer connected), which was installed on November 25th – probably when the bug started affecting systems.
The company says that despite renaming the printer and downloading HP Smart, most basic printing functions should work. Microsoft also promises to release an additional patching tool for Windows 11 that can be activated without downloading.