How to scan a file to your computer

There are multiple ways to scan a document or image from a scanner to your computer. Which method works best for you depends on the scanner and what services you can access. Below are descriptions of three common methods -- scanning to a folder, scanning to an application, and scanning to email.

1. Scan to folder

If your printer allows you to scan to a folder, you can set up a shared folder on your computer and send files from the printer to that folder. The below article describes how to set up a shared folder on a Windows computer. (The steps will be similar for more recent versions of Windows.)

- How to create a shared folder in Windows XP

2. Scan to application

Some multifunction printers have software that will allow you to scan directly from the printer to your computer, either into a folder or into an application. One example of this is the Brother Control Center found on many Brother MFC printers. See your printer's manual for details on using this software.

3. Scan to email

While this method doesn't send the file directly to your computer, you can still access it from your computer and download or save it. Many printers will let you scan a file and send it as an email. In order to do this, you generally need to have an email server for the scanner to route the file through. If you don't have an email server or you're not sure how to set one up, see this article for instructions on using a Gmail account as a free email server for scanning:

- How to use Gmail as a free email service for your scanner

The article below includes common SMTP settings for web-based email providers that can be used for scanning to email:

- Common SMTP settings for scanning to email

If you run into problems setting up scan to email from your printer, see this article for troubleshooting help:

- How to troubleshoot scan to email problems from a scanner or multifunction printer

(published on HelpOwl, Jan 2019)