I have a HP Compaq 6735s running Vista Home Premium. I want to upgrade to Windows 7 but the laptop came preinstalled with HP ProtectTools Security Manager. Windows 7 upgrade can’t go ahead with that installed but there seems absolutely no way of uninstalling the damn thing. If I try to uninstall it from add/remove progs it states “The application cannot be removed. The following applications must be removed first - BIOS configuration for HP ProtectTools and File Santizer for HP ProtectTools uninstall string.”I’ve tried using Windows Install Clean Up and the programs don’t even show up on that.I’ve contacted HP and they say “The correct method of uninstalling HP Protect tools is to uninstall the following components in the given order if they exist: 1. Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools 2. Java Card Security for HP ProtectTools 4. 3. Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools 5. Smartcard security for HP ProtectTools 6. Embedded Security for HP ProtectTools 7. BIOS Security for HP ProtectTools 8. HP ProtectTools Security Manager" As the components do not exist, the only way is to perform a clean install rather than upgrade to Windows 7.”I really really don’t want to do a clean install. It’s taken me 12 months to get these laptop programs the way I want them and I don’t want to have to start all over again.Surely I can’t be the only one with this problem? Anyone any suggestions?Thanks

You could I suppose update those components from here http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3687622&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=3687621&swLang=13&taskId=135&swEnvOID=2095#7887 (as they have been updated recently. Then you could uninstall them in the order they suggested but you still may have to follow the routine below before Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor reports that piece as gone (rerun after you've tried everything). Seems the protection is in the registry and gets reloaded from what I've read so far.You can try disabling the service "hpqwmiex" which is a process associated with HP ProtectTools security manager. As Administrator, open the "Services" window (part of Administrative Tools) then: Scroll down to find "hpqwmiex" (without quote marks) under the "Name" column Right click on hpqwmiex and select "Properties" The "hpqwmiex Properties" window opens to the "General" tab Click the "Stop" button to halt the service Once the process stops, click the "Startup type:" drop list button (little down arrow) and select "Disabled" Click the "OK" button MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Freccle,I have a similar problem to yours... I can't find the Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools in the list of installed programs either. How do I go about removing this part of the Hp ProtectTools Security Manager Suite?

NickSwe, if your problem is not identical and since this thread has been marked answered, please open a new thread detailing your problem.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

I found how to uninstall mine at C:\swsetup\security