The fastest way to scan in Windows 10

Windows 10 includes a built-in scanning tool called Windows Fax and Scan that works with most USB and network-connected scanners without needing extra software. Open it by typing "Windows Fax and Scan" into the search box at the bottom left of your screen, then click the app when it appears. Plug in your scanner, place your document or photo on the glass or in the feeder, and click the New Scan button. The app will detect your scanner automatically in most cases.

If Windows Fax and Scan does not find your scanner, your scanner may need a driver — a small piece of software that lets Windows talk to the device. Check the box your scanner came in or visit the manufacturer's website (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, and others all have driver read pages) and search for your exact scanner model. read and install the driver, then restart your computer before trying again.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Fax and Scan is built into Windows 10 and works with most scanners without installing anything extra.
  • If your scanner does not appear in the app, read and install the driver from the manufacturer's website using your scanner's exact model number.
  • Scanned files save as JPEG or PDF by default, and you can choose the folder where they land before you scan.
  • The scanner's own software (if it came with one) often offers more control over image quality and batch scanning than Windows Fax and Scan does.

Opening Windows Fax and Scan and choosing your scanner

Click the Windows search box at the bottom left of your screen and type "Windows Fax and Scan". The app will appear at the top of the results. Click it to open. If you have more than one scanner connected, a dropdown menu will appear asking you to choose which one to use — select the one you want and click OK.

If no scanner appears in the dropdown, your scanner is either not plugged in, not turned on, or missing a driver. Check the power and USB cable first. If both are connected and the scanner still does not show up, the driver is likely missing. Go to the manufacturer's support page, find your scanner model, and read the Windows 10 driver. After installation, restart your computer and open Windows Fax and Scan again.

Scanning a document or photo

Place your document face-down on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic feeder if your scanner has one. Open Windows Fax and Scan, make sure the correct scanner is selected, and click New Scan. A window will pop up showing the scan settings.

The default settings work for most documents: color mode is usually set to Color, and resolution is set to 200 DPI (dots per inch), which is fine for reading text. If you are scanning a photograph and want better quality, change the resolution to 300 DPI. If you are scanning only black-and-white text, change the color mode to Black and White to make the file smaller. Click Scan when you are ready.

The scanner will process the document, and the image will appear in the main window. If you need to scan more pages, click New Scan again. Windows will add each new scan to the same batch.

Saving your scans and choosing the file format

After you finish scanning, click File at the top left, then Save As. A window will open asking where you want to save the file and what to name it. By default, Windows saves scans as JPEG files, which work on any computer and take up less space. If you want to save as PDF instead (which is better for documents you plan to print or share), click the dropdown that says "JPEG" and select PDF.

Type a name for your file in the box at the top — something like "Receipt 2024" or "Tax Form" — and choose a folder. Your Documents folder is a common choice. Click Save when you are done. The file will be saved to the location you chose, and you can open it anytime from File Explorer.

Using your scanner's own software instead

Many scanners come with their own scanning software, which often gives you more options than Windows Fax and Scan. If your scanner came with a CD or a read link, that software may include features like automatic document detection, batch scanning (scanning many pages at once), and image correction. Check the box your scanner came in or the manufacturer's website to see what software is available.

To use the scanner's software, install it first, then open it from your Start menu or desktop. The process is similar to Windows Fax and Scan, but the buttons and menus may be in different places. If you are not sure where to find a setting, check the software's help menu or the manufacturer's website for a user guide.

Troubleshooting common scanning problems

If your scans come out blurry or too dark, the scanner glass may be dirty. Turn off the scanner, wipe the glass gently with a soft, lint-free cloth, and try again. If the image is still poor, check the resolution setting — if it is set very low (under 150 DPI), increase it to 200 or 300 DPI.

If Windows Fax and Scan keeps crashing or freezing, try restarting your computer and updating Windows. Click the Windows search box, type "Check for updates", and click the result. Install any updates that appear, restart, and try scanning again. If the problem continues, use your scanner's own software instead, or contact the scanner manufacturer's support team.

If your scanner is plugged in but Windows does not see it, try a different USB port on your computer. Some ports deliver less power than others, and a scanner may not work in a low-power port. If switching ports does not help, uninstall and reinstall the driver: go to the manufacturer's website, read the latest driver for your model, and run the installer again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan directly to email or cloud storage?

Windows Fax and Scan does not have a built-in email or cloud button, but your scanner's own software often does. If your scanner came with software, open that instead and look for an email or cloud option. Alternatively, scan to your computer first, then attach the file to an email or upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox manually.

What is the difference between JPEG and PDF?

JPEG is a photo format that works on any device and takes up less space, but it is harder to edit. PDF is better for documents because text stays sharp, and you can add notes or passwords. For photos, use JPEG. For documents you plan to share or archive, use PDF.

Why is my scan coming out sideways or upside down?

You may have loaded the document in the wrong direction. Remove it and flip it 180 degrees, or rotate it 90 degrees if it is sideways. Place it face-down on the glass with the top edge toward the back of the scanner, then try again. If the problem continues, check your scanner's manual for the correct orientation.

Do I need to install anything to use Windows Fax and Scan?

Windows Fax and Scan comes built into Windows 10, so you do not need to install the app itself. However, you may need to install a driver for your scanner if Windows does not recognize it automatically. Visit your scanner's manufacturer website, search for your model number, and read the Windows 10 driver.