How To Open Windows Scan App From Windows 10

You can quickly and easily scan a document in Windows 10 using the Windows Scan app.
Windows Scan allows you to scan both documents and images, immediately saving them to your computer in an image format.
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Scanning software can be confusing and time-consuming to set up and operate.

Fortunately, Windows 10 has an app called Windows Scan that simplifies the process for everyone, saving you time and frustration.

How to find the Windows Scan app

Before you start scanning documents, you'll need to make sure that you have Windows Scan installed on your computer.

1. To check if you have Windows Scan installed, click on the Start menu, and then click "All apps" (represented by an icon that looks like a bulleted list).

2. Scroll through the list until you find the Scan app, and click on it.

The "All apps" screen lists all of your computer's apps in alphabetical order, making it easy to find the apps you need.

How to download the Windows Scan app

If you can't find the Scan app on your computer, you will need to download it from the Microsoft Store.

1. From the Start menu, click on "Microsoft Store."

2. From there, click on the bar that says "Search" and type in "Scan."

3. "Windows Scan" should be the first result that pops up in the dropdown menu — click on it.

4. On the next page, click on the button labeled "Get" and Windows Scan will begin downloading automatically.

5. Once it has downloaded completely, click "Launch" to open the app.

How to scan a document in Windows 10 using the Windows Scan app

Once you have confirmed that Windows Scan is installed and open on your computer, you can begin scanning documents.

1. Check to make sure that your scanner is connected.

If it is plugged in, turned on, and has been set up correctly, the scanner's name should appear on the left side of the Scan app's screen, as the first item in the list.
If there is an error message or nothing appears in that first item box, you will need to connect your scanner to your computer using either a USB connection cable or Wi-Fi connection, and double check that it is plugged in and turned on.

2. Once your scanner has been connected properly, select the file type you want from the Scan app's menu.

PNG files are the default, and can be opened by most programs.

3. If you click "Show More" in the Scan app's menu, you can adjust additional settings for your scan, including color, resolution, and the folder in which you want to save your scan. If you skip this step, your scan will use the default settings.

4. Position the document you want to scan inside your scanner. This can be done either face-down on the scanner glass or face-up in the scanner document feeder, depending on the type of scanner you have.

5. When you're ready to begin scanning, click the "Scan" button on the Windows Scan app.

6. When your scan has finished, you can view it by clicking "View" on the Scan app. The scan will be saved in your computer's "Pictures" folder unless you selected another location in the Scan app's settings.

Please note that some older scanners are not compatible with Windows Scan, and thus cannot be used in conjunction with the Scan app.

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Chrissy Montelli is a writer and content creator originally from Long Island, NY. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Heart Float (Bottlecap Press) and Going to Ithaca (Ghost City Press), as well as various online publications. Read more from her at chrissymontelli.wordpress.com.