Anti HP Analytics / Spyware / Bloatware Tool
Ever tried to get rid of the HP bloat- and spyware, which HP calles "analytics"?
They always seems to resurface after some time. This is due to the fact that HP rolls out "services" via the windows update. So even on a virgin Windows, the infamous HP services (collecting your information and/or interfering with Windows functions) will (re-)appear at one point.
Also it is not trivial to get rid of the services in the first place, as they are not regular apps/programs that can simply be uninstalled.
So this tool disables the HP services and makes sure they stay disabled,
by installing (and regularly running) a script as a windows scheduled task.
Script execution is triggered once, after installation, and then repeatedly
after login. Additionally, a trigger is set up that actively supervises the
state of the Analytics services and responds to a service being re-enabled,
by immediately switching it back off.
The main idea of the task is to minimize any nuisance.
The script's execution is triggered
- once, directly after installation via the install script
- regularly after login of any user
- every time a core HP analytics service is changing its state
The whole tool is created in PowerShell, including the install script. All scripts are lightweight and easy to read, as to simplify review and/or adaption before installation.
To install the tool (i.e. scheduled task), simply follow these steps:
- Download the complete set of files (including the "source" directory)
- Copy (or unpack) to a directory of your choice on your system
- Open a PowerShell command-line, run as Administrator!
- "cd" to the target directory you chose to copy (or unpack) the files to
- Depending on your systems execution policy, you may need to allow scripts
(e.g. 'Set-Executionpolicy unresticted') - optionally change the installation script to use e.g. the conservative config
or to add you own services to be disabled - run the installation script '.\Install-AntiHPSpyware-Task.ps1'
- files are automatically installed under '%CommonProgramFiles%\AntiHP'
(a log file created in the folder indicates that the tool is working) - if you adapted your execution policy, you probably want to revert it
(e.g. 'Set-Executionpolicy Default') - optionally delete the downloaded, copied and/or unpacked files
Besides the Analytics "services", this tool also disables the totally
useless network services. (Windows10+ is already handling things itself).
In contrast, any services that are actually coupled with real features,
e.g. updates and testing, are left untouched by this tool.
Alternative For some, the issue of unsolicited re-surfacing may be resolved by disabling the respective device in the BIOS. But the BIOS option is not available everywhere. Alternatively, one could use a GPO based mechanism to disable the services in question. But GPOs may not be an option for everyone either.
Author : Kai P.
Version : 0.3 (2024-10-17) - "LiveHardcore" as default, excl. HP WWAN service