Anyone?

Sorry Redneck, never had that happen to me.  Is that HP a laptop ?  Might be something the manufacture have hardcoded into the software ?  Just throwing it out there, not an expert so pure guesswork !

Did you check HP support?  I did... found this.....    https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/hp-did-automatic-bios-update-without-my-permission-how/td-p/7691014   ....

From the link you gave, "If you've set the HP Support Assistant at default settings, it would automatically update the device to ensure the most updated version of all software / drivers are installed on the device at all times, that said, if you've had an unstable connection or if the internal was accidentally disconnected during the update, it could have corrupted the same, causing this issue, that said, here's what should help:"   

I have no HP support software installed.

You might check the Windows update history.  I wouldn't think they'd push down a bios update, but they do push down hardware driver updates, so who knows.

Every laptop [yes I know they are a bit different]  I have is a total clean install...and most are not even on the original HD...[I have 5 here presently]...

Never heard of this, and I owned an hp laptop in the past.

I'd strongly suggest contacting the folks here: https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

Yes , I have an Hp PC store bought .

I did the bios update No problems No Issues .

All works fine on my PC including ALL Stardock Software .

Win10 v2004.

I don't mess around with my PC though masking changes 

just added more ram is all OH, and a larger SD Drive .

saw that. though laptop not desktop.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hewlett_Packard/comments/gu0y01/what_is_the_deal_with_hp_or_microsoft_pushing/

No HP stuff installed, freshly wiped hard drive and clean Windows install.

To clarify, NOT a laptop.

You will just have to get used to the fact that all access to information is the property of the state (corporate for now, nation eventually).  Have a wonderful day!   

Check your Windows Update history. You probably got a BIOS update that way.

Been years since I had an HP machine but first I've heard about mystery BIOS updates.