I keep getting error window that tells me“ProductImprovementStudy.hptask” will damage your computer. I have a blue box with a check in it the error window reads "Report malware to Apple to protect other users. There is a... [Show in Finder] Button and an OK Button. How do I get rid of, delete or remove this perpetually popping up error widow? Please ASAP anyone Thank You.
These steps are working for most users:
Do the following, per fellow forum member, Lawrence Finch:
A. Get the most recent HP drivers, either from:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/HP_Quick_Start/osx/Installations/Essentials/hp-printer-essentials-S-5_14_8_4.pkg
or
HP Printer Drivers v5.1 for OS X
or
System Preferences > Software Update (if you don't see it, press Command+R)
B. Run the installer.
C. When the installer completes, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, highlight the HP printer and remove it. Then add it back. This is necessary because otherwise it will continue to use the now unsigned drivers and it will appear that the problem has not been fixed. Apparently installing the update does not remove the old drivers.
A note on AirPrint: Your Mac may say it can’t find the AirPrint printer. If that should happen, reboot your router.
/Library/LaunchDaemons
HELP! I have read through this entire thread, done everything you’ve all suggested. I have even deleted all of my HP files, restarted my computer several times. My computer is actually not usable. I can’t find mackeeper installed at all either. This message reappears every 10 seconds after I’ve ok’d it. What can I do? Desperate!
Hello, can someone please advise a bit better on this please, when I close the message it the same boxes keep popping straight back up. There is no way to stop them, making working hard. It started happening when I did my Mac software updates. Should I delete all Hp software files?
update I’ve seen the other replies so I will try those - can’t delete this post
Thank you
I posted the 3 screen shots described on your post. Can you see the problem?
Hi John, I'm wondering if you could help me as well?
~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchAgents
Thanks!
“Product Improvement Study. hptask” will damage my
computer.
hp task will damage my computer.
I am having this very same issue... Very annoying! Someone please help, Thank you.
I dont have an HP printer any more. Cant I just delete all Hp related files?
The proposed solution from Kurt Lang dated October 29, 2020, did not work for me.
I have the same issue, pop up screens keep popping up; what do I do?
I have dragged all of the HP files to the Bin, emptied the Bin, then restarted my MacBook. I am still able to AirPrint to my printer but probably need to download the HP software again if I want to scan to the MacBook - but then may get this error again.
What a pain! Between HP support and Apple, feels like consumers have been thrown under the bus! After spending hours yesterday trying to fix the loss of printing and scanning functions, I eventually stumbled on an article explaining the certificate issue ("code signing certificate revoked by Apple") https://eclecticlight.co/2020/10/23/why-have-my-hp-printers-stopp. HP Support has not been particularly helpful either. They seem to be more Windows-centric anyway. After reinstalling a driver, I only get one warning message now. It pops up twice after the print dialog window, I dismiss it twice and then am able to print or scan again. Seriously!
FloC582 wrote:
I have dragged all of the HP files to the Bin, emptied the Bin, then restarted my MacBook. I am still able to AirPrint to my printer but probably need to download the HP software again if I want to scan to the MacBook - but then may get this error again.
That is not correct. You do not need any third party software to scan documents on a Mac. Refer to Scan images or documents using your Mac - Apple Support.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
hp Malware Issue
