Fix: Hp_72_nor_net.exe Creates Duplicate Printers

Hey everyone! I'm having a really frustrating issue with a program called hp_72_nor_net.exe on my Windows system, and I'm hoping someone out there might have some insight or a fix. Every time I run this program, it creates duplicate printer entries in my "Devices and Printers" panel. It's a real pain because I end up having to manually remove the extra printer icons all the time. It’s becoming a time-consuming task, and I’m eager to find a solution to streamline my printing process and prevent this duplication issue from recurring.

Has anyone else encountered this duplicate printer problem with this specific executable, or perhaps a similar issue with other printer-related software? I'm really looking for a way to prevent this from happening. A permanent solution would save me a lot of hassle and ensure a smoother printing experience. I'm open to any suggestions, whether it's a workaround, a configuration tweak, or even a more technical fix. I'm particularly interested if anyone has identified the root cause of this behavior and knows how to address it directly.

What I've Tried So Far

Before posting, I did some basic troubleshooting, but haven't had any luck yet. I have tried restarting my computer, reinstalling the printer drivers, and even running the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool. I've also checked the printer settings within Windows, but haven't found anything obvious that would be causing this duplication. It's making me feel like I'm chasing my tail! These steps, while standard, haven't resolved the issue, which leads me to believe that the problem might be more specific to the interaction between the hp_72_nor_net.exe program and the printer drivers or Windows' device management system. I'm starting to suspect that the issue might lie in the program's configuration or how it interacts with the operating system during printer setup.

I'm a bit hesitant to start digging too deep into system settings without guidance, as I don't want to accidentally mess anything up further. I thought it best to reach out to the community first and see if anyone has encountered this before and found a safe and effective solution. Any advice or pointers you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps someone has stumbled upon a similar problem and can share their experience, or maybe there's a known compatibility issue with this particular executable and certain printer models or Windows versions. Your insights could be invaluable in guiding me towards a resolution without risking system instability.

Potential Causes and Solutions (Brainstorming)

Here are some of my initial thoughts on what might be causing this issue, along with potential avenues for solutions:

• Problem with hp_72_nor_net.exe: Could the program itself be faulty or have a bug that causes it to repeatedly add the printer? Is it a known issue with the application, and are there any updates or patches available that address this behavior? I wonder if checking the HP support forums or the application's documentation might reveal if others have reported the same problem. It's possible that a specific version of the program has a glitch, and upgrading (or downgrading) could resolve the duplication issue.

• Driver conflict: Maybe there's a conflict between the printer driver and the program. Are there any known compatibility issues between the printer driver version and hp_72_nor_net.exe? It might be worth exploring different driver versions or even trying a universal printer driver to see if that resolves the problem. Checking for driver updates or rolling back to a previous version could be a crucial step in troubleshooting.

• Windows Device Management: Could there be an issue with how Windows is managing the printer devices? Perhaps there's a registry setting or a configuration within the Device Manager that is causing the duplication. Digging into Windows' device management features could uncover a setting that's causing the system to repeatedly recognize and add the same printer as a new device. This could involve exploring the Device Manager, checking for hidden devices, or examining the registry for printer-related settings.

• Permissions: Are there any permission issues that might be preventing the program from correctly identifying the existing printer and instead creating a new one? Could the program be running with insufficient privileges, causing it to add a new printer entry instead of recognizing the existing one? Ensuring that the program has the necessary permissions to access and modify printer settings might be a key factor in preventing duplication.

I'm thinking of trying a few things next, like:

• Uninstalling and reinstalling hp_72_nor_net.exe (and the printer driver again, just in case).
• Checking the program's settings for any options related to printer management or device discovery.
• Looking in the Windows Event Viewer for any error messages related to the program or printer installation.

If anyone has any experience with these steps or other troubleshooting ideas, please share! I'm all ears and ready to try anything that might help. It would be awesome to finally get this sorted out and not have to deal with those pesky duplicate printers anymore! Your help will not only benefit me but also potentially others who might encounter the same problem. Together, we can hopefully find a solution that prevents this duplication issue and ensures a smoother printing experience for everyone.

Any Workarounds or Fixes?

So, that's the situation, guys. If anyone has experienced something similar or knows a way to prevent this from happening, I'd really appreciate your help! Especially if you have a workaround or a fix for this behavior. Even temporary solutions or suggestions for further investigation are highly welcome. I'm eager to hear any insights or recommendations you might have, and I'm committed to finding a lasting solution to this duplicate printer issue. Let's work together to figure this out and make printing in Windows a less frustrating experience!

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions!