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HP LaserJet, HP OfficeJet Enterprise, HP PageWide Enterprise, HP Managed - Install a full feature driver or full solution to print in Windows 7 or Windows 8 using a network connection

Some HP printers might not come with a driver, or might come with a basic driver built into the Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system (OS) (In-OS driver). In-OS drivers do not include the same features provided in the full feature or full solution download.

If you want to upgrade from the basic print driver to a full solution, use the steps provided in this document to download and install the full feature or full solution software.

Note:

This document provides download and installation instructions using a USB for the full feature driver or full solution provided by HP for supported printers in use with Windows 7 or 8.

If you are using a USB cable to install the driver, go to Install a full feature driver or full solution to print in Windows 7 or Windows 8 using a USB connection.

Before you begin

Full feature drivers or full solutions are recommended for most printers, when available. The full solution is a collection of software that includes the complete set of drivers, installer software, and other administrative tools.

Before you begin, review the following information:

  • Make sure that there is enough memory and space on the computer to download the full solution and set aside enough time to allow the download to complete.

  • If you need a basic driver because the full solution download is too large (up to 320 MB), and you do not have a basic driver included in the Windows 7 or Windows 8 OS, some printers have a smaller, printer-specific driver available for download from hp.com.

    The printer-specific driver (Plug and Play, for example) can typically be found on the individual printer page under the Driver - Product Installation Software section.

  • If you have a multifunction printer (MFP), use the full solution available for the printer. If the full solution download is too large, use the printer-specific solution (e.g. Plug and Play, Print/Scan, PCL6 (non UPD), etc.). If a printer-specific solution is not available, use the In-OS driver (if included with the Windows 7 or 8 operating system).

    For multifunction printers (MFPs), Universal Print Drivers (UPDs) are not recommended because they are print only.

Note:

If you do not have a basic driver included with the printer, or you want more advanced functionality, but do not have a full solution available for the printer, go to How to select the correct printer driver.

Select a full feature driver or full solution

Full solution drivers, when available, are typically located under the Software or Driver sections on the individual printer support and driver pages.

Some examples might include one of the following full feature or full solution driver options:

  • Americas - Full Software and Drivers Solution

  • HP LaserJet Full Feature Software and Driver

  • HP Color LaserJet Series Full Software Solution

  • HP LaserJet Series Full Software Solution Americas/Europe

  • HP Color LaserJet Printer Software

Note:

Some printers, such as the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP5525, might have a variance in the full solution name (e.g. HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP5525 Printer Software).

Download the full feature driver or the full solution

This section provides information on how to download the full feature or full solution print driver.

  1. Go to Software and Drivers, and then click Printer.

  2. Type the printer name or model number in the text field, and then click Submit.

  3. Select your operating system from the list if it is not automatically detected.

  4. Under the Driver or Software section, locate the full software or full solution.

  5. Click Download, click Save, browse to the location where you want to save the .exe file, click Save again, and then wait for the download to complete.

    Note:

    Downloading a full feature or full solution driver can take some time. Please allow sufficient time for the download to complete.

Install the full feature driver or full solution

Follow the steps below to extract the driver files, launch the installation guide, and install the full feature or full solution driver using a network connection.

Step one: Extract the files and launch the installation guide

Follow these steps to extract the files and start the installation.

  1. If you are connected to a network, verify that the network cable is connected to the printer and that the printer is in a Ready state.

  2. Locate the .exe file saved to your computer and then double-click the driver file to extract the files and start the installation.

    Note:

    If you receive a Windows security alert(s), allow the driver to continue the installation.

  3. If a green Welcome screen displays, click your printer series name and, if prompted, then select Network. Otherwise, skip to the next step.

  4. If a Begin Setup screen displays, click Install the software on the upper menu. Otherwise, skip to the next step.

  5. Click Install and then wait for the installation to initialize.

    Note:

    If you receive a Windows security alert(s), allow the driver to continue the installation.

  6. Select Easy Install (recommended), click Next, and then wait for the installation files to prepare.

    Note:

    Most customers use the Easy Install (recommended) option.

    If you know that your computer is low on hard disk space, or you already attempted the Recommended installation and received errors, you might want to try the Advanced Install custom option (fix any errors before trying a custom installation).

Step two: Install the full solution on the printer through the network

Follow these steps to install the full feature driver or full solution on the printer through a network.

  1. When prompted for the connection type, select Through the network, and then click Next.

    Note:

    If you receive a Windows security alert(s), allow the driver to continue the installation.

  2. Select Specify a printer by address, and then click Next.

    Note:

    If you do not know the IP address, or the printer is not found using the IP address, use the Select from a list of detected printers (Recommended) option to automatically detect printers available on your network.

  3. When the Windows Firewall Notice displays, click Next.

  4. Select Install a discovered network printer, click Next, and then wait for the installation process to finish.

    Note:

    If you receive a Windows security alert(s), allow the driver to continue the installation.

  5. If you receive an Auto Firmware Downloader notification, allow the firmware update to complete, and then click Continue.

  6. If you receive a prompt to sign up with HP, click Next to register your printer and sign up for software update notifications, or click Cancel to close the window and finish the driver installation.

  7. When the software installation is complete, click Finish, or click Exit, and then restart your computer when prompted.

    Note:

    To print a test page before you exit and restart, click Print Test Page.

Note:

If the Install More Product Software option is available, click the link to install the Toolbox Fx feature.

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