HP now requiring sign-in to scan documents - PRIVACY violation!

[KTRaven]

It is deeply concerning that HP recently began requiring sign-in to scan documents. A question was asked and the HP expert curtly ridiculed concerns about privacy. Regrettably, the questioner counted the response as a solution. I disagree. And while the expert claimed sometimes we don't like the answer, there's more. If we don't like it we can throw HP's $100 printer in the garbage and purchase another brand that doesn't threaten our privacy! 

[DMDMDM]

To add on to this, it is extremely misleading and disingenuous of HP to bundle this sign-in requirement into an update that is only described as "bug fixes" on the Mac App Store. I only discovered this as I installed HP Smart on a new computer. I have confirmed that the last version on my old computer does not require sign in to scan and the current version does. Not cool at all. Don't care if HP doesn't "review the contents of scans" it is a non-starter for HP to monitor what I do with my printer. If any of this had been clear on the box I would never have bought an HP peripheral in the first place.

If it isn't fixed within a few weeks the used printer is being returned to the store for refund. Please show more respect for your customers!

[Mel138]

I was able to scan without a password a short time ago.  Today, a password is required.  This is my personal printer/scanner. I don't have time to enter a password just to scan a document.  What gives?  Does HP want our business or not?

[Dragon-Fur]

@KTRaven 

HP Smart (since late 2020) does require sign-in using your HP Account credentials to provide access to the application features - primarily that of Scan / Share / Save to various Cloud storage areas.

Use of HP Smart is not mandatory.

No sign-in Required

Download and Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer.

HP Scan is part of the full driver.

   NOTE:  Additional Scan options are provided later in this message (no sign-in required).

Preparation

If you have not done so,

In addition to the HP Smart application,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer.

HP Smart and other print software / applications benefit from having the full driver installed.

Printer Software Check

Notes

If the full driver printer software is installed, you will see the printer listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features.

The installation of the printer software adds two shortcut icons to the Desktop.

The Printer Assistant is named for the printer and provides access to Print , Scan , and Tools

HP Scan is named for itself and provides a direct call to the HP Scan software.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_3

Printer software not installed?

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

• When asked, 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. Full Administrator Rights are required to complete the HP Software installation.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. If you see it, you can skip / ignore suggestion(s) regarding Instant Ink subscription.  Instant Ink subscription is NOT mandatory.
5. Full driver includes print and scan functions supported by your printer and provides the printer features on which other applications / software might depend.

========================================================================

What else?

There are additional Scan options available in Windows 10 - some of these do require that the Full Feature Software / full driver is (already) installed.

Webscan – located in the Embedded Web Server (EWS) – No additional software

NOTE:  Webscan feature  is not available on Laser printers

If the printer is on the network,

If the EWS feature is available on your printer,

First Time Use Only:  Enable Webscan

• Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar
• Tab Settings > Security > Administrator Settings > Enable >> Check box next to Webscan
• Click Apply to save any changes

Use Webscan

• Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar
• Tab Scan > Webscan 
• Set up Webscan the way you want it - for example, set the Source to ADF
• Click Start Scan to scan your document / image using Webscan
• After the scan is complete, Save the scan to your computer.

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HP Scan and Capture

Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

 Description

HP Scan and Capture is a simple and fun application that captures photos or documents from any* HP scanning device or your computer's built-in camera.  These images can be previewed, edited, saved, and shared to other applications.

* NOTE:  The correct HP drivers for your scanner must be installed from HP's Support Website.

Click Start (windows key) > Open the All Apps List > scroll the list 

Open Category HP

Find and open the HP Scan and Capture application

Optional

Right-Click on the application and PIN to Start

What else?

Application controls / options

Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Scroll / Search for HP Scan and Capture

Left-click on the App for options associated with this app.

If available, Click Advanced for additional controls.

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Windows Scan – Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

• “Get” the application from the Store >  Windows Scan

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NAPS2 – “Not Another PDF Scanner” (Free – Donations gladly accepted by the NAPS2 organization)

• Download-Save-Install >  NAPS2 
• Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).
• Not always simple “Plug and Play”, nonetheless, this free software is powerful and configurable.

Notes

• Includes an OCR feature – may need Ghostscript add-on (See NAPS2 forum entry)
• Read the Support pages for information
• Read the Getting Started guide
• Combining files?  Read the Command Line Usage guide > Select Combining and Converting Files

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Paint (mspaint)

Older software – not brilliant – does work for scanning images.

• Open  Paint
• Optional >> Expand the “white background” area to a size to accommodate your data.  If unknown, try 1300x1300
• File > Select “From Scanner or Camera”
• Select your printer > Follow the prompts to scan and then save your item

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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 8020 All-in-One Printer 

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[DMDMDM]

Returned the printer and ink cartridges, received a full refund and put it towards a different printer. The application for that printer has a preference setting that allows you to disable the gathering of data from your use. Which is how it should be.