Windows refused to delete HP Printers, do I need to use regedit?

x509 · 10 Dec 2019

Do I need to use regedit to delete some printer drivers that Windows refuses to delete normally?

This post is a continuation of the issue in this thread: Deleted printer still shows up in Windows, prevents print operations. I followed the instructions in the last message in that thread to remove all references to HP printer drivers, but Windows denied access to the *.inf files.

To summarize, on my wife's Lenovo730 laptop, Win 10 Home (but will upgrade when I can to Pro), there are 2 HP 400 Laserjet installs. The APOLLO link is still present, even though I zapped all HP LaserJet drivers on APOLLO and the Devices & Printers window doesn't show this printer anymore.

Windows refused to delete HP Printers, do I need to use regedit?-printer1.png

The "HP LaserJet 400 M401 PCL 6 on APOLLO refers to a printer install on system APOLLO that was deleted 3 days ago. The "HP LaserJet 400 M401 PCL6" refers to a new install via USB of the same printer on my wife's Lenovo laptop. I deleted both these printers in Control Panel / Devices & Printers and the operation seemed to work, but after I rebooted the system, the printer re-appeared. Right now Firefox won't print because of a "LaserJet" printer.

I followed the instructions from the prior thread to try to delete the drivers for these two printers, but Windows refused:

Windows refused to delete HP Printers, do I need to use regedit?-printer2.png

So I did a regedit search and found this key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider\Servers\APOLLO\Printers\{A2BE63E6-EA6B-4947-B7D5-D001E272D8C5}
Here is the partial data for this key. Notice the reference to APOLLO.

Windows refused to delete HP Printers, do I need to use regedit?-printer3.png

So is it OK to delete this key? Is it necessary to delete this key and the corresponding key for the other HP 400 printer install?
Is there a tutorial? Moderators: If you want to do a tutorial, I will be very happy to help out.

Steve C · 10 Dec 2019

If you have removed the printer you could use Autoruns to delete the driver registry entry and Driver Store Explorer to delete the .inf file

jimbo45 · 10 Dec 2019

Hi there
look in services -- there could be some service(s) including access to printing online / web services running which inhibit removal of printers -- I would not recommend using 3rd party tools like drivermax.

BTW I'd also uninstall the HP diagnostic stuff as well (if you want it you can always install it again afterwards). Personally I'd rather be able to control machines myself than rely on "automatic support"from some manufacturers who generally want to "up sell" you things like printer ink which can be got humungously cheaper elsewhere.

Cheers
jimbo