How to Scan in Windows

Make sure the scanner is connected to the computer and turned on., Place the image or document you want to scan face-down in the scanner., If you've never used the scanner before, you'll need to install it.,If you've already used the scanner on your...

24 Steps 3 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Make sure the scanner is connected to the computer and turned on.

    Your scanner will usually come with two cords: a USB cable to plug from the scanner into the USB port in your computer a power cable to plug the scanner into an outlet.

    Note:
    Some newer scanners rely on bluetooth and do not need a cable — just the same WiFi network — to connect the scanner to the computer. , Several small hashes on the glass plate of the scanner should tell you where to position the document you're scanning., Click here for instructions on installing a scanner.,, Click here to go to the Windows Compatibility Center.

    Enter your scanner's product name, and then click Search.

    If your scanner is not compatible with Windows 8, you will not be able to use it to scan.
  2. Step 2: Place the image or document you want to scan face-down in the scanner.

    Move the mouse to the right side corners of the screen, and then click Settings.

    Click Change PC Settings.

    Click PC and devices.

    If your scanner is installed, you'll see its name under Printers., The process for installing a scanner is the same as for installing a printer.,,,,, Make sure that your scanner is connected to your computer and document or image you want to scan is in the scanner.,, In the New Scan window, click the Profile dropdown menu, and then click Photo, if you're scanning a photo.

    If you're scanning a document, click Documents., Click the File type dropdown menu, and then click the file type you'd like your scanned image to be.

    If you don't know what file type to use PNG and TIF are usually good choices for higher image quality. , You'll see a preview of the image or document you've scanned.

    If you want to crop the image, click and drag the corner handles to crop the scanned image.

    If the preview looks pixelated, in the Resolution (DPI) field, increase the resolution number. ,, Right-click the scanned image, and then click Rename.

    In the Rename File dialog box, in the New Title field, type a meaningful name for the scanned image, and then click OK.

    The default file name is Image. , Right-click the scanned image, and then click Save As.

    In the Save As dialog box, choose the folder you'd like to use, name the file, and then click Save.

    The default save location for scanned images is in a Scanned folder within the Pictures folder., Right-click the scanned image, click Send to, and then click Mail recipient.

    Your email program will open and a new email message will be created with the scanned image as an attachment.
  3. Step 3: If you've never used the scanner before

  4. Step 4: you'll need to install it.

  5. Step 5: If you've already used the scanner on your computer before

  6. Step 6: click here to skip past installation.

  7. Step 7: Make sure your scanner is compatible with Windows 8.

  8. Step 8: Check that your scanner is installed.

  9. Step 9: If your scanner isn't listed

  10. Step 10: click + Add a device.

  11. Step 11: Find your scanner in the list

  12. Step 12: and then click it to install it.

  13. Step 13: Click the Start button.

  14. Step 14: Type scan.

  15. Step 15: Click Windows Fax and Scan.

  16. Step 16: Start a new scan.

  17. Step 17: Click New Scan.

  18. Step 18: Set the type of document you're scanning.

  19. Step 19: Choose the image file type.

  20. Step 20: Click Preview.

  21. Step 21: Click Scan.

  22. Step 22: Rename the file.

  23. Step 23: Save the file to a new location.

  24. Step 24: Send the scanned image to your email program.

Detailed Guide

Your scanner will usually come with two cords: a USB cable to plug from the scanner into the USB port in your computer a power cable to plug the scanner into an outlet.

Note:
Some newer scanners rely on bluetooth and do not need a cable — just the same WiFi network — to connect the scanner to the computer. , Several small hashes on the glass plate of the scanner should tell you where to position the document you're scanning., Click here for instructions on installing a scanner.,, Click here to go to the Windows Compatibility Center.

Enter your scanner's product name, and then click Search.

If your scanner is not compatible with Windows 8, you will not be able to use it to scan.

Move the mouse to the right side corners of the screen, and then click Settings.

Click Change PC Settings.

Click PC and devices.

If your scanner is installed, you'll see its name under Printers., The process for installing a scanner is the same as for installing a printer.,,,,, Make sure that your scanner is connected to your computer and document or image you want to scan is in the scanner.,, In the New Scan window, click the Profile dropdown menu, and then click Photo, if you're scanning a photo.

If you're scanning a document, click Documents., Click the File type dropdown menu, and then click the file type you'd like your scanned image to be.

If you don't know what file type to use PNG and TIF are usually good choices for higher image quality. , You'll see a preview of the image or document you've scanned.

If you want to crop the image, click and drag the corner handles to crop the scanned image.

If the preview looks pixelated, in the Resolution (DPI) field, increase the resolution number. ,, Right-click the scanned image, and then click Rename.

In the Rename File dialog box, in the New Title field, type a meaningful name for the scanned image, and then click OK.

The default file name is Image. , Right-click the scanned image, and then click Save As.

In the Save As dialog box, choose the folder you'd like to use, name the file, and then click Save.

The default save location for scanned images is in a Scanned folder within the Pictures folder., Right-click the scanned image, click Send to, and then click Mail recipient.

Your email program will open and a new email message will be created with the scanned image as an attachment.

About the Author

S

Samuel Ruiz

Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in DIY projects and beyond.

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