Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool: Fix HP Smart Auto-Install Bug

Before introducing Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool, let’s have a simple review of the HP Smart auto-install issue.

HP Smart Automatically Installs on Windows 11/10/Servers

Looking back at the past (about December in 2023), many users complained about how the HP Smart was installed automatically on their PCs even though these computers didn’t have a printer. Besides, for connected printers, the LaserJet M101-M106 model information showed instead of their manufacturer. This issue was widespread and Microsoft acknowledged it.

After further investigation, the problem isn’t due to any update on HP’s end. After a week and a half, a fix for the problem appeared in the form of a tool – the KB5034510 troubleshooter tool.

KB5034510: Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool

Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool is an HP Smart auto-install bug fix. According to Microsoft, it can help to review the printer information, restore correct printer metadata (names, icons, and more), and remove the incorrect HP LaserJet M101-M106 printer information.

Besides, if this tool finds incorrect metadata, no HP printers or HP printer drivers are installed and HP Smart was installed after November 25, 2023, this fix can uninstall the HP Smart.

To solve the HP Smart auto-install bug, you can install this tool on Windows 8/8.1/10/11 and Windows Server 2016/2019/2022. If you want to know the specific system requirements for this servicing release, refer to the KB5034510 article from Microsoft.

How to Get the Troubleshooting Tool

This troubleshooting utility is available on the Download Center and you can follow the guide on Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool download:

Step 1: Open a web browser and access https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=105763.

Step 2: Choose a language and click Download.

Step 3: In the popup, check the box of a version based on your system architecture and click Download.

Further tip: There is a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability regarding this tool and fortunately Microsoft released an update on January 5, 2024, to address it. If you download this tool before this date, delete the old version and get the new one.

Besides, you had better have a habit of backing up your PC regularly since hackers will maliciously some PC vulnerabilities to attack the device, leading to data loss. To prevent loss, run MiniTool ShadowMaker for file backup now.

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How to Use the Tool

According to the KB5034510 article, there are some requirements to run Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool:

For enterprise administrators, repairing printers for all users and sessions requires using this tool with the Local System account. Windows Task Scheduler or PsExec can run commands as Local System.

For users who manage their own printers, run this tool using administrative credentials. Then, follow the steps to execute the downloaded file:

Step 1: Run Command Prompt with admin rights.

Step 2: Type cd /d “[path_to_downloaded_tool]” like cd /d C:\Users\Vera\Downloads and press Enter.

Step 3: Type the name of the file like PrintMetadataTroubleshooterX64.exe and press Enter. Then, you see the return message – Troubleshooter completed successfully, which means your incorrect printer is fixed. If not, the command returns the message Troubleshooter not applicable since metadata package not found on affected devices.

Final Words

Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool KB5034510 helps a lot in removing the HP Smart and restoring icons & names of printers in Windows 11/10/Servers. Download it and run CMD to use it to perform the troubleshooting operation.