The new Windows 11 comes with many cool features and a refreshing new graphical interface, including a centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded corners windows, themes, and colors that make any Windows device stand out. One thing you can do with Windows 11 uses its built-in app to scan your documents and save them digitally anywhere. And users who want to scan physical documents into a digital format and store it on their computer or in the cloud, adding a scanner might be the best way to do it. When you connect a scanner to your device or add a new scanner to your home network, you can usually start scanning pictures and documents right away. If you add a scanner and it doesn’t work automatically, simply follow the steps below to get it installed properly. To get started with adding new scanners to Windows 11, use the steps below:

Install a local scanner

Today, adding a scanner to a Windows computer is very easy. In most cases, all you have to do to set up a scanner is to connect it to your computer. Plug the USB cable from your scanner into an available USB port on your computer, and turn the scanner on. Windows should automatically install the scanner drivers and configure them to work. If that doesn’t work, here’s a way to do it manually.  Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, then select Printers & scanners on the right pane of your screen shown in the image below. On the Printer & scanner settings page, click Add a printer or scanner button.  Wait for Windows 11 to find nearby scanners, then choose the one you want to use from the list and select Add device. If you get a message that “The printer that I want isn’t listed” click Add manually as highlighted in the section below. Choose “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings” as highlighted below: Next, select Use an existing post, then select the port on the list the printer is connected to. Usually a USB port. If you have a CD or a download link to download the drivers for the scanner, insert the CD or download it from the manufacturer’s website. It should also come with a driver CD or link to download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Visit the manufacturer’s website for the drivers of the scanner. Next, go and install the scanner driver. Click the button Have Disk. Then browse to the location the driver is saved. Browser the driver’s folder and select it. Then install it. Complete and test the printer.

Add a Wireless scanner

Some scanners are wireless-enabled and work over wireless connections. If your scanner is connected to the network via wired or Wi-Fi and it is turned on, Windows should also find it automatically. Windows can find all available scanners on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless scanners or scanners that are plugged into another device and shared on the network. Here’s a way to do it manually.  If your scanner isn’t in the list, select The printer that I want isn’t listed, and then follow the instructions to add it manually. You should be able to find a wireless or network printer when you follow the wizard above. If the wireless scanner hasn’t been added to your home network, try reading the manual that came with the scanner to find help installing it in Windows. It should also come with a driver CD or link to download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Conclusion: This post showed students and new users how to install a scanner in Windows. If you find any error above, please use the form below to report.