How to Scan on Windows 11

To scan on Windows 11, add your scanner in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, then open the Windows Scan app, choose your scanner and file type, and select Scan. Scans save to the Scans folder inside your Pictures folder unless you pick another location.

Windows Scan saves images, not PDFs, so this guide also shows how to combine scanned pages into one PDF using only built-in tools.

Step 1: Add Your Scanner

Most USB scanners install on their own when you plug them in and turn them on. If yours doesn’t, add it manually.

1. Turn on the scanner and connect it by USB, or make sure it’s on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
2. Open Settings with Windows key + I.
3. Select Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
4. Select Add device next to Add printer or scanner.
5. Wait for Windows to find the scanner. This can take a few minutes.
6. Select Add device next to your scanner.

For an all-in-one printer, the scanner may appear as a printer. Microsoft says to select the printer and look for Scanner settings to confirm Windows sees the scanner part too. See how to add a printer in Windows 11, and if Windows doesn’t find it, our guide to adding a scanner to Windows 11 covers USB and wireless scanners. Some all-in-one printers can also start the scan from their own screen, as in our guide to scanning to a computer from the HP Photosmart 6510.

Step 2: Scan With the Windows Scan App

1. Press Windows key + S and type Scan.
2. Select the Scan app. If it isn’t installed, get Windows Scan free from the Microsoft Store.
3. Place the document face down on the glass, or in the document feeder.
4. Make sure your scanner is selected under Scanner.
5. Choose a Source: Flatbed for the glass, Feeder for the document feeder, or Auto-configured.
6. Choose a File type: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or Bitmap.
7. Select Show more if you want to change where the file saves.
8. Select Scan, then select View to open the result or Close to scan another page.

These steps come from Microsoft’s scanner guide. JPEG makes smaller files for photos and everyday documents; PNG or TIFF keeps more detail for text you want to read or print later.

How to Scan to PDF on Windows 11

1. Scan each page with Windows Scan and save them in the same folder.
2. Open that folder in File Explorer, which is Pictures > Scans by default.
3. Select the pages in order. Hold Ctrl and click each one.
4. Right-click the selection and select Print. If you don’t see it, select Show more options first.
5. Under Printer, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
6. Select Print, name the file, and choose where to save it.

All the pages end up in one PDF. If your scanner maker’s app is installed, it may also offer a direct Save as PDF option, which is quicker for long documents.

If you need a Word file after scanning, see how to scan documents and save them in Word for the difference between inserting a picture and converting a PDF to editable text.

Other Ways to Scan

• Windows Fax and Scan: an older built-in app. Search for it from Start, then select New Scan.
• Your scanner maker’s app: HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother offer their own scanning software, which can have extra features like saving straight to PDF or scanning both sides of a page.
• Your phone: the Google Drive app and the iPhone Notes app can scan paper documents with the camera and save them as PDFs. To turn a scanned PDF into editable text afterward, see how to put a PDF into Google Docs.

Scanning saves a file; it does not transmit a fax. If you are still using a Windows 10 PC and need to send the document to a fax number, see our Windows 10 computer faxing guide for modem, phone-line, and delivery checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install the Windows Scan app?

Open the Microsoft Store, search for Windows Scan, and select Get or Install. It’s free and made by Microsoft. Then open it from Start.

Why can’t Windows find my scanner?

Make sure the scanner is turned on and connected, then restart both devices. For a Wi-Fi scanner, confirm it’s on the same network as the PC. You may also need the driver or app from the scanner maker’s website.

Where do my scans go?

The Scan app saves to Pictures > Scans by default. You can pick a different folder under Show more before you scan. If you can’t find a scan, see how to find all photos on your computer.

Can I scan several pages at once?

Yes, if your scanner has a document feeder. Choose Feeder as the source in the Scan app, then combine the pages into a PDF as shown above.

No scanner nearby? You can also scan documents with an iPhone using the built-in Notes or Files app.