How to Scan Documents in Windows 10

When you're tired of fiddling with your scanner's built-in software, turn to the simple scanning app bundled with Windows 10. Dubbed simply Scan, the new app doesn't work with older scanners, unfortunately. But if your scanner is relatively new, the Scan app is a refreshing change from complicated scanner menus.

Setting up a new scanner for the first time? Be sure to unlock it by sliding a lever or turning a dial on the scanner to the unlock position. That lock protects the scanner during shipping, but you must turn it off before use.

1. From the Start menu, open the Scan app. If you don't spot the Scan app on the Start menu, click the words All Apps in the Start menu's bottom-left corner. The Start menu lists all of its apps alphabetically. Click the Scan app, and the Scan app appears on the screen. If it complains that your scanner isn't connected, make sure you've connected the USB cord between your computer and the scanner and that the scanner is turned on. You can also connect the scanner to your computer using a WiFi connection. Follow the instructions that came with your scanner to do this.

If your scanner's plugged in and turned on, the scan app lists your scanner's name, shown here, and the file type used for saving your files. (The PNG file type is widely accepted by most programs.)

• Color mode: Choose Color for color items, such as photos and glossy magazine pages. Choose Grayscale for nearly everything else and choose Black and White only for line drawings or black-and-white clip art.
• Resolution (DPI): For most work, the default, 300, works fine. Higher resolution scans (larger numbers) bring more detail but consume more space, making them difficult to email. Lower resolution scans show less detail but create smaller file sizes. You may need to experiment to find the settings that meet your needs.
• Save File To: The Scan app creates a Scan folder in your PC's Pictures folder, where it stores your newly scanned images. If desired, you can change the Scan folder's name or even create a different folder for each scanning session.

The Scan app works well for fast, easy scans. But because it relies on the simple, built-in Windows software, your scanner's built-in control buttons won't work.

If you want the buttons to work or you need finer control over your scans, skip the Scan app, head for the desktop, and install your scanner's bundled software. (On some scanner models, Windows Update installs the scanner's bundled software automatically as soon as you plug in the scanner.)

Finally, for quick and dirty scans, just take a picture of the document with the camera built into your phone or tablet. That won't work well for photos, but it's a great way to keep track of receipts and invoices.

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Andy Rathbone's computer books, which include Windows? 2000 Professional For Dummies? and Upgrading and Fixing PCs For Dummies?, have sold more than 11 million copies.