Searchable Scan with OfficeJet Pro 8600

[MW_71]

I am moving my HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 from an old Windows 8 machine to a new Windows 10 machine.  On the old machine I was able to select "Searchable PDF" as the scan output file type.  On the new Windows 10 machine the only option is "PDF" which is not searchable.  I have tried updating drivers, as well as removing drivers and then reinstalling.  I still only have the single "PDF" option.  The connection is wireless, just like to old machine configuration.  The scan function works fine to create PDF files, but I need the searchable function type files.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Andr-1611]

@MW_71 

That's right, once here read the "fixes": https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-officejet-pro-8600-plus-e-all-in-one-p...

"Expand all"

Try this https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-officejet-pro-8600-plus-e-all-in-one-printer-series-n911/432...

If that doesn't help, then search the Internet for OCR software.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Andr-1611

If my post resolved your problem please mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Or click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

[MW_71]

Thanks, Andr - but the suggestions did not restore the "Searchable PDF" option for the File Type.   This is after uninstalling and re-installing the driver listed in the first link you sent.

The second link you sent mentioned a "Universal Scan Driver" but I didn't see that in the list the link took me to.

Any other suggestions will be helpful.

[Andr-1611]

Link for download: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-universal-scan-software/2101620481/swI...

"Expand all" and read.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Andr-1611

If my post resolved your problem please mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Or click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

[MW_71]

Sorry to report that this still doesn't show the Searchable PDF option.

FYI, I did NOT uninstall the previous drivers before this latest attempt.  Should that make a difference?

When I have uninstalled the drivers in previous attempts to solve this problem the Officejet Pro 8600 icon is still on my desktop.  I wouldn't think that would matter but wanted to mention it in case that gives you any more ideas.

Also, with at least one previous attempt I powered down the printer and disconnected the power cord (which I saw mentioned in another post somewhere).  Just looking for more straws to grasp at...

[Andr-1611]

Ok,

you have installed this software package completely. And no errors were displayed.

Version:	51.7.5628
OS:		Windows 10 (64-bit)
Release date:	Feb 1, 2023
File name:	Full_Webpack-51.7.5628-SJ0001_Full_Webpack.exe (410.8 MB)

After installation, the system must be rebooted. This was also done.

Then try this Solution:

1. Download only this file: https://ftp.hp.com/pub/scanners/HPScanExt/HPScanExt.msi
2. Close all programs

Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo > in folder Downloads double-click on the msi.

OPTIONAL:

Add HP Scan Extended shortcut to Taskbar / Send to Desktop / Pin to Start
• Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Scan Extended\bin
• Right-Click on "HPScan.exe" > Select Pin to Taskbar / Send to Desktop / Pin to Start

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Andr-1611

If my post resolved your problem please mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Or click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

[MW_71]

After downloading and running HPScanExt.msi I ran HPScan.exe.   The result was a message saying:

"The HP Imaging Device was not found."

The OfficeJet 8600 is still connected to the system via WIFI (the computer is connected to the same network with ethernet cable).  The *600 still prints from the PC, and I can use the HP Printer Assistant software to scan to a PDF file, but only an image of the text, not searchable text.  The File Type still only shows the option of PDF. There is not Searchable PDF option. 

After the device not found message, the next dialog was Device Settings.  That took me to the Device Setup dialog which apparently didn't see the connection between the PC and the printer, asking the question "Did your device connect to the same network as the PC?"  Trying to search for the SSID returned "Unable to retrieve" (maybe because of the ethernet connection?)  The control panel on the 8600 printer shows the correct name for the WIFI SSID.

[Andr-1611]

Unfortunately, your printer is no longer supported. See here.

But

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@MW_71 wrote:

... I am moving my HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 from an old Windows 8 machine to a new Windows 10 machine....

---

If you still have the old Win 8 machine, then only use the printer with it.
For Win 10 or Win 11, a new printer is the best solution.

Andr-1611

If my post resolved your problem please mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Or click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

[MW_71]

Andr - shortly before I saw your latest response I noticed on the download page athttps://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-officejet-pro-8600-plus-e-all-in-one-p...  a note under the "Fixes" heading:

"Repackaged without Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Functionality"

Since I had not pulled down the "Fixes" tab before I had not seen that (it still seems unfortunate that removing a useful feature is considered a "Fix" - but somebody thought that was a good idea).

I went back to the original install disk that came with the printer (the disk is labeled "Version 28.8), removed all the drivers and other HP software related to the printer I could find.  After using the old disk (and checking the box to install the OCR), I have recovered the "Searchable PDF" scan function.  (Since I saved just about every screen image that came up during this entire process, I was able to go back and confirm that the "Software Selections" dialog during the several attempts using the new driver downloads did NOT display any checkbox or other option to include the OCR software).