Look up the file online. Searching for the file name along with its path (if you know it) or its hash value (if you have access to it) can provide information about whether it's legitimate or known to be malicious.
However, given the lack of official documentation from Microsoft or HP linking to hpbq138.exe , the default assumption should be caution. hpbq138.exe
Prevention is always better than removal. Protect your system from anonymous executables with these best practices: Look up the file online
Check where the file is located. Legitimate executable files are often found in specific directories related to the software they belong to. For example, files from HP might be in a directory named "HP" or within a program's installation folder. Prevention is always better than removal
If you are seeing "Serial Number Not Found" errors, is the standard industry workaround, but it should be handled with caution and only if you have the correct system labels handy for reference.