Full solution - The Full solution is custom drivers and/or software created for select products. 'HP Full feature driver' or 'HP Full software and drivers' offer a complete solution including full printer software functionality and the most advanced features available for the printer, and does not require additional HP software. Recommended where available, the Full solution is either included on the HP Windows  8 CD/DVD that came with a new printer or is available for download from www.hp.com/go/support . Can be installed via USB or network.

Basic PCL6 driver - PCL6 drivers use the printer's resources (internal processor and memory) to process print commands. It is a custom driver created for select printers that support PCL 6. Should not be confused with the UPD PCL 6. This download, available only from www.hp.com/go/support , can be used to provide basic print or print/scan software features. Enables more advanced software functionality than the drivers included In-OS or Windows Update. Can be installed via USB or network.

Basic Host-based - Host-based drivers use the computer's (host's) resources to process print commands when the computer is connected to the printer via USB cable. It is a custom driver created for host-based printers to provide basic print or print/scan software features. Enables more advanced software functionality than the drivers included In-OS or Windows Update. Similar to the Basic PCL6 driver, this driver is available only from www.hp.com/go/support . Also known as a Plug and Play driver because it can be installed via USB only.

Plug and Play driver or package - Host-based driver that can be installed via USB only. Similar to the Basic Host-based option, this driver is available only from www.hp.com/go/support .

Universal Print Driver (UPD) - Universal driver download for use by customers that require print-only software features or for use by system administrators that want to use the file for distribution. Includes PCL 6 and PostScript versions (PCL 5 is not supported in Windows  8). Not recommended for All-in-One printers . Often used in a business environment by administrators or IT staff when printing via a managed print server to multiple printer models in a static or mobile print environment. Can be installed via USB or network, but is typically installed via network.

Windows Update - Basic, driver included in Windows Update for the Windows  8 operating system (OS). For most printers, this driver provides print-only functionality (no scan features). Select printers will also have basic WIA support. Use Devices and Printers to run Windows Update and obtain the latest drivers and updates. Best used when no other solution is available to provide limited print-only software features.

In-Operating System (In-OS) - Basic, print-only (no scan) driver included in the Windows  8 operating system (OS) to provide limited print software features. Some of the advanced features may not be available. For some printers, these are the only driver options available. Best used when unable to connect to the internet or when no other solution is available. In the case of All-in-One printers, this is considered a better choice than UPD.

Point and print driver bundle - Typically used by administrators or IT staff to allow for Point and Print interaction among different operating systems. Can be used to install a shared driver on a network print server and then to point to the print server share from a network client.

HP ePrint software - HP ePrint software provides the ability to wirelessly print from a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop, to any wireless direct printer that is ePrint-enabled and connected to a network or HP cloud, from within applications using the standard File > Print method. Includes a driver for Windows and a .pdf workflow for Mac. Use ePrint software to print documents or photos over the Internet by sending an email from an email-capable device, from any location, to an email address assigned to a Web-connected HP printer. Use HP ePrint App to capture, edit, and wirelessly print photos and other image files from an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android phone, or other smart phone to a wireless network-connected HP printer.