HP Driver Question

I just purchased and set up a HP 9012e printer (Walmart/Costco variant of the 9015e). I didn't research before I set up but it looks like I may have had the choice between the MS Store HP Smart app or the standalone Easy Start application. I have HP Smart installed but am curious if the printer functionality is the same between it and the standalone Easy Start software? Question obviously for HP printer owners.

Follow on question...in case anyone knows as well. During Setup I was prompted to activate free HP+ service. I "think" I saw fine print that said I could activate after Setup, so I dismissed it (especially when it wanted to connect the printer to the Internet...and I didn't know what that entailed or what data would be collected). Anyways, now I don't see any way to activate it. Is HP+ worth it, and if so, how do you activate after setup?

I have the 9015 OfficeJet Pro and it's connected via Ethernet to my Wireless Router, same for an HP LaserJet Pro M148. On the Notebook I'm on now the OfficeJet got set up without downloading the software yet, same for the LaserJet. One thing I miss on Win11 is the Windows Fax and Scan feature that on Win10 is in Windows Accessories.

I've created an account to log in to the app and have used it for quite a while. Also pay for Instant Ink - just the lowest tier (50 pages a month). Have no complaints.

I found out that 1) the MS Store version and standalone version are apparently the same. Also, you can't activate HP+ except during startup. However, it doesn't look like I'd be losing much of what I need by not getting HP+

Berton said:

I have the 9015 OfficeJet Pro and it's connected via Ethernet to my Wireless Router, same for an HP LaserJet Pro M148. On the Notebook I'm on now the OfficeJet got set up without downloading the software yet, same for the LaserJet. One thing I miss on Win11 is the Windows Fax and Scan feature that on Win10 is in Windows Accessories.

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I just looked in Settings>Bluetooth & devices>Printers & Scanners> and I see a Fax device listed. It's a Microsoft Shared Fax Driver. It's hardware location is "on Root Print Queue". I'm wondering if it's related to my Canon DR-2052C desktop scanner?

It could be, the Windows Fax and Scan in my Win10 only relied upon the basic drivers for the device being installed, I assume that may be carried over to Win11.

I have had all sorts of problems with HP since I moved to W11 printer will not work my PC slowed down fixed the whole solution uninstalled every bit of HP off my PC now my PC is running like a brand new one off to buy a new printer on Monday this has been going on since last year