How to Scan Images Onto a Computer From a Canon Printer

Scanning images on a Canon printer and saving them to a computer is a very easy process. Not all printers have the scanner functionality, however, and the process only works when using a printer with a scanner incorporated into the design like the scan on Canon Pixma functionality. After scanning, transferring and saving the images to the computer only requires a few simple steps on Canon printers.

The auto scan uses the IJ scan utility to quickly scan and save to your computer. The function works for documents, photos and any other materials that fit within the dimensions on the scanner. The process is also very easy and works with all scanners on Canon printers under the Windows operating system.

Turn on the printer and open the top to access the glass face scanner. Position the photo or multiple photos on the glass with the photo side down. Make sure they fit within the glass frame to ensure a full scan is achieved. Close the top but leave the printer on for the scan.

Next, open your computer and click on the IJ Scan Utility option. Ideally, you saved this as a shortcut on the home screen when installing the computer hardware. If not, the IJ Scan Utility is located in the Canon Utilities folder. Locate the Auto option and click to trigger the scan function. The auto scan is associated with a folder on your hard drive and the scanned image will save into this photo location.

At this point, the scan is saved to the computer and you can easily access the photo scan. Consider moving the scan to an appropriately labeled folder that is relevant to the subject matter. You can also open the scan and make edits in programs like Adobe Photoshop if desired.

Making a scan directly from the printer is also easy but saving that scan directly to the computer requires a few extra steps. Turn on the printer and open the lid to access the glass for a scan. Place the photo or photos on the glass with the photo side facing down and close the lid. Press the Scan - > PC1> or the Scan - > PC2> button to start the scan.

This process will make the scan but it will not send the scan to a specific location. To transfer the scan to a computer, you must first register the button to automatically process the scanned photos to a folder on your computer.

To register the button, press the Menu option on the printer. Select the Scan Settings followed by Shortcut Key Settings and Register. This sequence brings you to the correct screen to register the button for an easy scan to a computer shortcut. Two buttons are available for the shortcut option and they are labeled as the Scan - >PC1> or Scan - > PC2>. Setting up one button to scan black and white and the other to scan color is a good idea for a well-rounded set of shortcuts.

Choose which key you want to assign the shortcut and select the type of connection used to send the scan. You can use a USB or do a direct Network Connection, which is the best option for sending to a computer. Next, choose the computer on the network to bridge the connection. On a single computer network, this is an easy decision.

Lastly, choose the type of scan desired for the button. Choose color for photos or black and white if only black and white photos are used. After making this selection, the button is registered and will automatically scan and send it directly to the computer. This works if you want to scan on Canon Pixma or use a Canon MG2900 scan to computer function happen.