# How do I turn off HP Agent automatic updates?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 12, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463 "2006-05-12T02:12:39Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/1 "2006-05-12T02:12:39Z")
This annoys me to no end. What is it and why does it do it _all the freakin’ time?_ Do I need it? Can I schedule it at a set time, preferably in the middle of the night?
I’ve searched my computer and can’t find what I’m looking for. Help!
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/2 "2006-05-12T02:22:35Z")
Not sure what an “HP Agent” is. I assume you mean either Hewlett Packard is phoning home to the mothership and trying to download drivers or you mean Windows Automatic Update agent is running.
If it is HP then check installed programs (Add/Remove Programs under SETTING\>CONTROL PANEL) and see if it is in there and uninstall it. You might also check to see what is running at startup (click on START\>RUN and type “msconfig” in the box, hit “Ok” and select the Startup tab…uncheck boxes of things you do not want to run at startup).
If it is Windows then go to START\>SETTINGS\>CONTROL PANEL ans select the Security Center icon and run it. In there choos Automatic Updates and it lets you decide how you want that to work.
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2006, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/3 "2006-05-12T12:40:29Z")
It’s definitely Hewlett Packard and not Windows. (Obviously I have an HP box.) I removed the “HP software update” program using Add/remove programs. Hopefully it won’t bite me in the butt later…
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/4 "2006-05-13T15:08:05Z")
That didn’t work. It was doing it again this morning.
I always notice a slow-down and check Task Manager for processes. It says “HP Agent update”.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/5 "2006-05-13T21:22:31Z")
Seems I’ve been able to uninstall it on the PCs I manage.
I believe it will not run on a limited account if that’s any help. I run limited accounts on evryone, including me.
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2006, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/6 "2006-05-15T12:16:08Z")
What is a limited account?
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2006, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/7 "2006-05-15T13:12:23Z")
Go to “Start”, click on “Run” and type **msconfig** and click **OK**. This will open the system confuguration uitlity. Click on the **Startup** tab, and find the entry corresponding to HP Agent update. Uncheck the box next to it, and click **OK**. When prompted to restart your computer, click **Yes**. Upon restart, HP Agent update should not appear in your Task Manager. If it does, you unchecked the wrong item.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/8 "2006-05-15T16:23:50Z")
> [@Dolores Reborn](#):
>
> What is a limited account?
There are administrative accounts that can install programs and limited accounts that cannot.
Fear gives better advice. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/9 "2006-05-20T03:58:16Z")
Thanks, **Fear**!
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/10 "2006-05-20T04:21:26Z")
What? I get no love? ☹
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> You might also check to see what is running at startup (click on START\>RUN and type “msconfig” in the box, hit “Ok” and select the Startup tab…uncheck boxes of things you do not want to run at startup).
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2006, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-hp-agent-automatic-updates/356463/11 "2006-06-01T12:45:07Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> What? I get no love? ☹
I just saw this post. Please know that I love you dearly, **Whack.**