What happened to the detailed HP 8725 scanner driver

[FrustrateUser]

For several years I used an HP scanner driver on my HP 8725 that provided lots of detailed settings for scanning like specifying the base name of the output and whether there should be a file for each page or a single file for all pages.

unfortunately, my computer software updates automatically. Last time I started the scan driver its appearance had changed and then it stopped working. Now the only scanning software I can find on the HP website to download is called HP Smart. This driver offers very few options with no way to specify auto-save, scan area, or sheets/file.

Where is that tried and true HP Scanner driver?

[Dragon-Fur]

@FrustrateUser 

Short Answer

>>>> Scroll down and start at "Method..."

Longer Explanation

 Within the last couple of years, the format in the Software and Drivers web page has been updated.

• When available for a printer, HP Smart application is presented as the main print option.
• In those instances where HP Smart has taken "center stage", and the full driver is still available as an option, the Full Feature Software has been renamed and  moved to a new sub-category in the webpage.
• Easy Start is presented as the primary means of installing the application / software for most printers.

The full driver software and the Easy Start wrapper to install the software are located in sub-category Software-Utility

In some cases, the full driver can still be directly downloaded-saved-installed using the installation package:

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

Where available (presented as an option),

It is recommended that the Easy Start wrapper be used to install the software.

Use the Easy Start wrapper in your Software-Utility sub-category

Select the full driver option

OR

Call the master Easy Start wrapper from the Easy Start support webpage (it will find your printer software just as well as would the wrapper in your printer's own support site).

Select the full driver option

Method - Use the Easy Start Wrapper to Install the Full Feature / Full Driver Software

For printers that support the option,

Use the Easy Start wrapper to install and configure the printer software.

• Home Page - HP Easy Start 
• Open Category Software and Drivers 
• Topic: Software-Utility 
• Download-and-Save  the current version of the Easy Start wrapper to install your print software 
• If using USB:  Disconnect the USB cable between the printer and computer before installing the software.

• Right-Click on the downloaded package and "Run as Administrator" to start the installation

• Select to install the “Full Driver” / “Full Feature Software”
• If using USB:  Connect the cable when instructed to do so (near the end of the installation process).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in.

Notes >> Easy Start... The Journey

1. About 2/3 of the way through the setup, you will be given the opportunity to select the software - select the "Full Driver" set (as opposed to the basic driver or other application).
2. You can skip / ignore suggestion(s) that you add the HP Account – you’ll need the account at some point, for now, you can skip this suggestion (as many times as it insists it’s a good idea) during the full driver software installation.
3. If you see it, you can skip / ignore suggestion(s) regarding Instant Ink subscription.  Instant Ink subscription is NOT mandatory.
4. Full driver provides print and scan functions supported by your printer.

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HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP OfficeJet Pro 8725 All-in-One Printer 

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[FrustrateUser]

First, thank you Dragon-Fur for your help. I followed instructions loading the full driver via Easy Start and system reboot. After selecting to install the "Full Driver" it seemed to be downloading something but there is no evidence of that in the downloads folder or in the Start Menu on the computer. Also nothing new in Programs and Features list in the Control panel. The Easy Start executable is listed in the downloads folder.

I tried executing the HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 link in the Start menu but it just starts a Device Setup & Software page with two linked options "Connect a new device" and "Reconfigure Wireless Settings" neither option seems to lead to executing the scanner setup program.

Any advice on how to execute the Full Driver if it is there somewhere?