Software Shilling

It is very common in the tech world, for one company to promote another, in order to boost business and earn commissions. I don’t go around looking for kickbacks, but I see and understand why companies seek referral bonuses and such. I am dismayed to report, though, that HP is now promoting a software that I know to be unnecessary and potentially problematic for your computers. Please let me give you more details about this software shilling:

HP Recommends But They Really Shouldn’t

Check out these popups and be on the lookout for them, if you have an HP computer or have installed any HP software for your printer. While these are not out-right scams, I do not want you to cooperate with them. These messages are not 100% on-the-level, and I would never encourage you to use or buy the product named in these ads.

That’s what these are. Advertisements. They are appearing on machines with little to no clutter, computers with plenty of system memory. I’ve already blogged about the dangers of snake oil software, but let me reiterate, in reference to this propaganda:

• Never touch your Windows registry. Microsoft has specifically stated that registry cleaners are taboo and can seriously bork your PC.
• If you feel your system is cluttered, just make sure that Storage Sense is turned on in Windows Settings.
• If your System Memory is low, installing more software is typically going to exacerbate that situation.
• If you absolutely have to have a utility program on your system, consider the lightweight Microsoft PC Manager. Of all the cleaner apps I see, this one is harmless enough. And free!

Failure to follow this advice will create work for me and other technicians. I like to get paid as much as the next guy, but I don’t feel as good about it when it pertains to this kind of sleazy sales tactics.

Getting Rid of These Ads

If you are seeing these ads on your system, please know they are not caused by a virus or exploit. These are truly coming from HP, from the normally safe software on your PC. No need to scan your computer or panic.

Next time one of these appears, look to the middle-right of the popup. Click the 3-dots button and then click on “Turn Off All Notifications for HP Recommends”. That puts a stop to the shilling.

Postscript

HP may recommend other software, such as McAfee Antivirus, using this app of theirs. I don’t much care for that, as well. At this time, if HP recommends you buy any particular software, I’m afraid I must recommend in the opposite direction.