hpwuschd.exe

HP Update Shared Daemon

Application ProcessSafeSoftware Update

CPU Usage

1-8%

Memory

40-180 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\HP\HP Update

Publisher

HP Inc.

Quick Answer

hpwuschd.exe is safe. It’s HP Update’s background daemon that coordinates driver, firmware, and software updates for HP systems.

Is it a Virus?

4 NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\HP\\HP Update\\hpwuschd.exe

Warning

Most HP Update components run in background

Each update task is sandboxed by HP Update

Can I Disable?

YES

Close HP Update UI or disable startup in Task Manager

What is hpwuschd.exe?

hpwuschd.exe is the executable for the HP Update Shared Daemon, a background service used by HP software to check for driver, firmware, and software updates. It runs alongside other HP utilities to coordinate update tasks across HP devices.

hpwuschd.exe participates in a multi‑process update framework: it queries HP's update servers, downloads metadata, validates signatures, and dispatches installers. It runs under the HP Update context to keep drivers current.

Quick Fact: HP Update daemons orchestrate updates across HP notebooks and desktops, reducing user prompts while maintaining security.

Types of HP Update Processes

Updater Service: Main background service coordinating checks and scheduling
Downloader Process: Downloads update metadata and packages
Installer Helper: Applies driver/firmware/software updates
Notification Listener: Handles user prompts and update alerts
Shadow Cache Manager: Manages local update cache and signatures
Telemetry Worker: Sends anonymous update telemetry to HP servers

Is hpwuschd.exe Safe?

Yes, hpwuschd.exe is safe when it is the legitimate HP Update component from HP Inc. distributed through official HP software channels.

Is hpwuschd.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real hpwuschd.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names to mislead users.

How to Tell if hpwuschd.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\HP\\HP Update\\hpwuschd.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\HP\\HP Update\\hpwuschd.exe. Any hpwuschd.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "HP Inc." as the signer.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-8% CPU, 40-180 MB memory. Persistent high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: HP Update should run during checks or startup. Continuous background activity with no update tasks may indicate malware.

Red Flags: If hpwuschd.exe is found outside the HP Update folder, lacks a valid signature, or runs constantly with no update activity, scan with antivirus and compare to HP’s official update package.

Why Is hpwuschd.exe Running on My PC?

hpwuschd.exe runs as part of HP Update to manage checks, downloads, and installations of HP drivers and software. It also helps coordinate updates for multiple HP utilities.

Reasons it's running:

Active Update Check: HP Update is scheduled to check for updates and downloads metadata
Background Update Tasks: HP Update runs background tasks to fetch driver packs and firmware
Startup Service: The HP Update service starts with Windows to prefetch updates
Driver/Firmware Rollouts: New HP hardware updates are staged and deployed via hpwuschd.exe
HP Software Integration: Other HP utilities rely on hpwuschd.exe to coordinate patching

Can I Disable or Remove hpwuschd.exe?

Yes, you can disable hpwuschd.exe. Disabling may stop automatic HP updates, but you can still update manually. Uninstalling HP Update removes it entirely.

How to Stop hpwuschd.exe

End Update Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate hpwuschd.exe or HP Update tasks, and end them
Close HP Update UI: Exit any HP Update windows or tray icons
Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable HP Update
Stop Background Apps: In HP Update settings, disable "Continue running background updates"
Uninstall HP Update: Windows Settings → Apps → HP Update → Uninstall

How to Uninstall HP Update

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → HP Update → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → HP Update → Uninstall
✔ Restart your PC after removal

Common Problems: Update Failures or High Resource Use

If hpwuschd.exe is having issues or using too many resources, try targeted fixes below.

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Pending Updates: Let HP Update complete checks, or pause tasks and retry later
Stalled Update Downloads: Check network, pause/resume, or clear update cache in HP Update settings
Failed Driver Install: Run Windows Update or reinstall HP drivers from HP Support Assistant
Conflicting Security Software: Temporarily disable antivirus real-time protection for known HP Update packages
Outdated HP Update: Update HP Update to the latest version from HP's official site
Corrupted Cache: Clear local HP Update cache; delete contents in C:\\ProgramData\\HP\\Update\\Cache

Quick Fixes:
1. Open HP Update and review pending tasks
2. Clear update cache: Delete files in C:\\ProgramData\\HP\\Update\\Cache
3. Restart HP Update service
4. Update HP Update to the latest version
5. Check for Windows updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hpwuschd.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate hpwuschd.exe is part of HP Update. Confirm it is located at C:\\Program Files\\HP\\HP Update\\hpwuschd.exe and signed by HP Inc.

Why is hpwuschd.exe using so much CPU?

CPU spikes typically occur during update checks or large driver downloads. Use Task Manager to identify the specific HP Update task and allow it to finish.

Can I delete hpwuschd.exe?

Deleting the file will remove HP Update features. It can be uninstalled from Windows Settings if you no longer use HP Update.

Can I disable hpwuschd.exe?

Yes, disable startup in Task Manager and disable background updates in HP Update settings to prevent automatic checks.

Why does hpwuschd.exe start with Windows?

HP Update is designed to keep HP devices current by checking for updates on startup; disable via Task Manager if you don’t want automatic checks.

How do I manually update HP drivers?

Open HP Update from the Start menu or system tray and check for updates; you can also download drivers directly from HP Support and install them.