Python 3 framework pop-up on Mac mini 2018: Is HP app update the cause?

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Python 3 framework pop-up on Mac mini 2018: Is HP app update the cause?

After start up is complete of my Mac mini 2018, I am once again getting this python 3 Framework pop-up window that quickly disappears as fast as it loaded. I read and older thread on this, but no solutions seemed forthcoming other than a complete reboot of my system. I decided to try a search on my Macintosh HD drive with the remote term 'python'. This revealed a file called 'mcapi.h'. I scrolled through the preview of the file that reveal coding for the HP print app. See below:

Does this mean that an update occurred with the HP app[s] or am I looking for the wrong source of the issue? The screenshot of the above is not the whole file. I will try uninstalling all HP apps to see if this clears the issue after a re-boot.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 1, 2025 8:51 AM

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Answer 1

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DonB58 Author

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27 points

Mar 1, 2025 9:17 AM in response to DonB58

First off thanks to the moderator for the title update. So as noted in my post, I uninstalled all HP apps. I then did a deep clean using Trendmicro One Cleaner Pro [ free version available ] which cleaned any artifacts of the apps plus I did through clean of other junk files. I then re-booted my macmini2018. So far the python 3 framework pop-up has not re-appeared. In my case, HP app[s] seem to be the culprits. The why I cannot answer, but maybe there was an update?

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2025 4:32 PM in response to DonB58

DonB58 wrote:

Hello @VikingOSX, I realized the first part from an earlier feed. As for the HP app screenshot I posted, Why would the mcapi.h file appear when I did CD a search using Python as the search parameter?

I would assume the phrase "python" will be found somewhere within that C header file.

In order for the pop up to occur, it means you have a third party app installed which is causing this to occur. It could be a Launch Agent/Daemon, or it could be a Login Item, or it could be from an app that is already running when you restart the computer (assuming you have checked "Reopen windows when logging in").

I then did a deep clean using Trendmicro One Cleaner Pro [ free version available ] which cleaned any artifacts of the apps plus I did through clean of other junk files.

There is no need for this type of app. I know it may have helped you this time, but with a little research or asking for assistance on this forum will allow you to locate the item to remove/disable. Anti-virus software, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software are not needed on a Mac and will usually cause more problems than they solve because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS. I would give the same advice for people using Windows.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,460 points

Mar 1, 2025 10:18 AM in response to DonB58

Apple does not install the Python2 or Python3 distribution in Sequoia. It never has installed Python3 as part of the operating system.

Any current (and competent) third-party software that depends on the Python3 framework would build that into the application bundle so it is self-contained and does not rely on the user installing Python3 from Python.org or the ancient Apple Python3 from the Command Line Tools for Xcode. Not impossible, but hard to believe HP would make this mistake…

The plain text header document that you posted does not attempt to execute Python3, so that is not the culprit. You may have had a script or login item that referenced Python3 for some unknown reason, especially since it is now gone…

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Answer 4

DonB58 Author

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27 points

Mar 1, 2025 8:12 PM in response to VikingOSX

Hello @VikingOSX, I realized the first part from an earlier feed. As for the HP app screenshot I posted, Why would the mcapi.h file appear when I did CD a search using Python as the search parameter?

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