How to scan documents to computer

Question

I want to scan multiple documents to my computer to transfer them to email.

Answer 1

The only built-in app in Windows is the Fax and Scan app, it has very basic scanning options and it can only scan one page at a time to a file.

The best first option is to go to the support page for your scanner on the manufacturers website to see if they provide specific scanning software for your scanner Model.

If not, open the Store app in Windows and search for 'multi-page scan', that search will bring up many free apps that can be used to scan multi-page documents.

Answer 2

To scan documents to a Windows computer and then send them by email, use either the Windows Scan app (for a physical scanner) or the Windows Camera app (for scanning with a camera), depending on the device available.

Option 1: Use a scanner with the Windows Scan app

1. Make sure the scanner is turned on and connected.
2. On the Windows device, right-click the Start menu and select Search.
3. In the Type here to search box, type: Windows Scan.
4. In the results under Apps, select Scan.
   • If Scan is not listed, install it from Microsoft Store using the Windows Scan app link in the documentation.
5. Place the document in the scanner:
   • Flatbed: place the document face down on the glass and close the cover.
   • Document feeder: place the pages in the feeder as described in the scanner’s documentation.
6. In the Scan app:
   • In Scanner, select the correct scanner.
   • In Source, choose Flatbed, Feeder, or Auto-configured (usually fine).
   • In File type, choose a format such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or Bitmap.
   • Select Show more, then under Save file to, choose the folder where scans should be saved.
7. Select Scan at the bottom of the window.
8. When the scan finishes, it is saved automatically to the selected folder (if none was chosen, it defaults to the Pictures/Scans folder in the user profile).
9. Open File Explorer, browse to that folder, and confirm the scanned files.
10. Open an email app (such as Outlook), create a new message, and attach the scanned files from that folder.

Option 2: Use the Windows Camera app to scan with a camera

This works if the camera supports document scanning.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. On the right side, select the Document button (it changes to Take document).
   • If the Document button is not available, that camera does not support document scanning.
3. Place the document in front of the camera and ensure it is in focus.
4. Align the document inside the blue box that appears.
5. Select Take document to scan.
6. The scanned document appears as a thumbnail in the bottom-right Camera roll. Select it to view.
7. While viewing, use the icons at the top to Zoom, Rotate, Crop, or Delete, or change Filters (Photo/Document/Whiteboard).
8. Use the ellipsis (…) in the top-right for more options:
   • Copy to clipboard.
   • Open Folder to open the folder where the scan is saved.
   • Export to print or save as PDF via the Print dialog.
9. After saving, attach the resulting image or PDF file to an email from the chosen email app.

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References:

• How to use the Windows Camera app
• Install and use a scanner in Windows