In the past, HP would install a variety of software and desktop icons, for you to use with your printer. One app in particular was called the HP Print & Scan Doctor. While many of you may still have and appreciate this fix-it tool, I must now recommend you remove it from your PC.
Because HP says it is a security risk for Windows computers. I’m not sure how big of a risk, but to be on the safe side, we should heed their warning and ditch this old program. But, there’s a hitch: There’s no easy way to remove the HP Print & Scan Doctor. If you go to your Programs list or Apps settings panel, it won’t be there to uninstall. You have to remove HPSD the old-fashioned way, like the savages did in the Windows 3.1 era.
How to Remove
We have to remove HPSD by manually deleting the files and folders. Check for each of these items, and don’t worry if you don’t find them! Many computers will not show all or any of these files/folders.
- If you see the HP Print and Scan Doctor icon on your desktop, simply drag and drop it onto your Recycle Bin. Or, you may right-click it and then click Delete.
- Open File Explorer and go into your C:/ drive.
Double-click the folder called HP.
Double-click the folder called Diagnostics.
If you see a folder called PSDR, right-click it and delete it.
If you do not see one of these folders, go to the next step. - Open File Explorer and go into your C:/ drive.
Double-click the folder called Program Files (x86).
Double-click the folder called HP.
Double-click the folder called Diagnostics.
If you see a folder called PSDR, right-click it and delete it.
If you do not see one of these folders, you are done! - Optionally, you may look through your Start Menu and remove any shortcuts to the Scan Doctor there. They aren’t dangerous, but if you find any, feel free to right-click and delete/unpin them.
If you have any difficulty deleting these items, restart your PC and try again. If that doesn’t clear the way for you, consider the advanced steps in this video, or feel free to call me to service your computer.
What Next?
Once you remove the Print & Scan Doctor, HP recommends you use the HP Smart app. If you want, you may download that at any time, for Windows or MacOS computers.
But for basic functionality, you don’t really need HP Smart. You’re welcome to simply remove the HP Print & Scan Doctor and just move on.