The genuine hpwuschd2.exe file is a software component of HP Printers and Scanners by Hewlett-Packard. HP Printers and Scanners create representations of graphics or text on physical media, and scan physical images or text and convert them into digital representations. HPWuSchd2.exe is a file that is installed alongside printers, scanners or multifunctional hardware manufactured by HP. This process updates software and drivers for the installed printer or scanner. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems. Hewlett-Packard was founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, two Stanford graduates in electrical engineering, in 1939. It started out in Packard's Garage in Palo Alto, California. For the major part of the 20th century, the company focused on a wide range of electronic products but slowly grew out into producing computing-specific hardware from the 1970s onwards. Today, it provides hardware, software and services to consumers and various types of businesses and large corporations. Hewlett-Packard is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA.
HPWUSchd2 stands for HPWindows Update Scheduler (2)
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the hpwuschd2.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: Hpwuschd2.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. Hpwuschd2.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)"—usually C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 96,056 bytes (36% of all occurrences), 49,208 bytes and 6 more variants.
Hpwuschd2.exe is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, TaskScheduler).
The application can be removed using the Control Panel's Add\Remove programs applet. It is a Verisign signed file. The file has a digital signature.
Therefore the technical security rating is 25% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can uninstall the program HP Software Update Scheduler or HPProductAssistant, update it, or ask Customer Support for help. Go to www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html to update it, go to www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html for support, or go to HP Software Update Scheduler or HPProductAssistant in Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it.
External information from Paul Collins: There are different files with the same name:
"HP software update" is not required to run at start up. HP software updates. If a shortcut doesn't exist create your own and run it manually
"HP software update" is not required to run at start up. HP software updates. If a shortcut doesn't exist, create your own and run it manually
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as hpwuschd2.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the hpwuschd2.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
HP representatives can claim their software doesn't cause problems but I'm here to tell you they do. my HP that I am using as we speak that I have had for almost 10 years had problems every time I have tried to let HP software update do it's thing to my computer and right afterwards my computer would start to lock up and I would have to RE-wipe the HDD. I say re-wipe because I would only do let HP software updates run or I would run them myself. So, fresh copy of factory original software then updates from MS and HP and I have a computer that won't travel the web let alone play solitaire. Michael b
I have several different HP printers on several different PC's; No problems, no impacts, but not necessary. Run it monthly at a Low Priority. Jim Hargis
I'm using a non HP notebook. I guess I got this process after installing the drivers for a HP printer. Remiel
It is just a hp printer service Elliott
It is harmless. You can change the settings so that it connects once a week, month, or even longer. The only information it sends is OS, language, location and device id's. Suzanne, you had a virus by your own admission. Don't blame HP update for that! John H. (further information)
Ticks off my anti-virus when it tries to access Word documents AllThumbs
The HP Windows Updates Scheduler task is automatically installed as part of the driver and software package of some HP printers and peripherals, periodically checking for updated drivers for these devices. In practice, drivers are not updated very frequently, and so it is not necessary to keep these sorts of update checker programs running constantly, though some people find them a worthwhile convenience. If you want a detailed security rating about your hpwuschd2.exe (and all other running background processes) read the following user opinions, and download the free trial version of Security Task Manager. Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out! Click to Run a Free Scan for hpwuschd2.exe speed issues Not Gonna Tell, 'Course (further information)
Came installed on HP and automatically runs on start-up Frank
Summary: Average user rating of hpwuschd2.exe:
based on 48 votes with 9 user comments.
21 users think hpwuschd2.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
4 users think it's probably harmless.
13 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
7 users suspect danger.
3 users think hpwuschd2.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
9 users don't grade hpwuschd2.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving hpwuschd2 issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with hpwuschd2. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the hpwuschd2.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
Michael b
Jim Hargis
Remiel
Elliott
John H. (further information)
AllThumbs
Not Gonna Tell, 'Course (further information)
Frank
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of hpwuschd2.exe: based on 48 votes with 9 user comments. 21 users think hpwuschd2.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 4 users think it's probably harmless. 13 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 7 users suspect danger. 3 users think hpwuschd2.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 9 users don't grade hpwuschd2.exe ("not sure about it").