Windows 8 Where Does Windows 8 Store Install History

[cjb4]

I am having problems with re-installing software for my printer. I am running Windows 8.1 from a SSD. To save space I installed HP's all-in-one software on my D: drive. My D:drive died. I could recover no data so I simply replaced it and started rebuilding.
When attempting to re-install the HP software I get the message that the software is already installed on my D:/Program Files (x86) and will up update it with a newer version if necessary.
The install program gives me no way to redirect the install. If I continue it appears to install the printer and everything but will not complete. It spins in an endless loop. I have to either reboot or use task manager to exit. The resulting install (non-install) shows nothing in D: and some HP files in C:. To try to fix I have removed all evidence of HP files in C: and all I can find in the registry. Nothing works.
There is obviously some history stored somewhere of the original instillation. Where is that history stored and can it be deleted or redirected?
thanks for any suggestions.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like the HP software installer is stuck in a loop due to the remnants of the previous installation on your D: drive that no longer exists. To address this issue, you can try the following steps:

Clearing HP Software Installation Data​

1. Uninstall HP Software:
   • Go to "Control Panel" > "Programs and Features" and uninstall any HP-related software listed there.
   • Also, uninstall any printer-related software that may still be present in the list.
   []Check Startup Programs:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Go to the "Startup" tab and disable any HP-related startup programs.
   []Cleaning Registry:
   • Be cautious when editing the registry. It's recommended to back up your registry before making changes.
   • Use a registry cleaner tool to remove any residual HP registry entries.

     Deleting HP Software History​

     The history of software installations is typically stored in the Windows Registry. You can try searching for and deleting HP-related entries in the registry to clear the installation history. To delete HP software history from the Registry:
   []Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. []Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and search for any HP-related keys.
2. Delete the keys associated with HP software.

Reinstalling the HP Software​

After completing the steps above, try reinstalling the HP all-in-one software. Make sure to download the latest version from HP's official website to ensure compatibility with Windows 8.1. During the installation process, make sure to choose the installation directory on your C: drive instead of the D: drive. If the installation continues to fail or get stuck in a loop, you may need to perform a clean boot before attempting the installation to ensure no other software conflicts are causing the issue. Let me know if you encounter any difficulties or if you need further assistance!