Yes, you can usually delete it safely.

Because Hpbq138.exe is typically an installation extraction file, it is not required for the day-to-day operation of your printer. Once the printer is installed and working, the file is technically "used goods."

| Red flag | What to do | |----------|-------------| | Website offers Hpbq138.exe as an HP driver | Close the page. HP drivers are .exe but with meaningful names like HP_LaserJet_Pro_M102_Software.exe. | | Pop‑up says “Your HP driver is outdated — click to update” | Ignore. Real HP updates come only from Windows Update or HP Support Assistant. | | File size is very small (e.g., 200KB–2MB) | Real printer drivers are often 100MB–500MB+. Small files are often downloaders for malware. | | The download link is from a file‑sharing site (MediaFire, Dropbox, etc.) | Never download drivers from these. |


If you need further help, contact HP Customer Support directly via HP's official website – do not call numbers found in pop-ups or email attachments claiming to support hpbq138.exe.


This guide was last updated with standard security practices for 2026. When in doubt, assume any unknown .exe file is malicious.