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- HP Community
- Printers
- Scanning, Faxing, and Copying
- Switch off the requirement to log in to my account to scan

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02-19-2022 06:53 AM - edited 02-19-2022 06:59 AM
Suddenly I have to log in the my HP account just to scan on my home printer. This is pointless and irritating and not helped by how clunky the sign in process is. How do I switch this off, it isn't something I requested? Thanks
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Accepted Solutions
02-19-2022 07:30 AM
Welcome to the HP User Community.
The change was actually implemented - for many of us, at least - at the end of 2020.
Answer
The requirement to sign in using your HP Account cannot be switched off.
What you can do - because use of HP Smart has always been optional - is to use other scan software or applications.
In particular, if you have not done so,
Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer
Use HP Scan - part of the full driver printer software
Examples - Scan Options
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
HP Scan and Capture
Available from the 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 print software 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
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.
Windows Scan – Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher
- “Get” the application from the Store > Windows Scan
HP Smart for Windows - Print and scan application - Requires sign in with your HP Account credentials
- “Get” the application from the Store > HP Printers - Using the HP Smart App (Windows 10)
Possibly
Webscan – located in the Embedded Web Server (EWS) – No additional software
This option requires a network connection and EWS
EWS > HP Document / How-to
Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)
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.
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
HP MFP Scan for HP Laser MFP printers (Windows)
- After installing the full feature software from 123.hp.com, search Windows for and open HP MFP Scan.
- Click Quick Scan to scan a document or photo without changing any settings, or click Advanced Scan for more options and scan job settings.
HP Printer Support 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
Enter the type and name of your HP device
Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!
Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"
02-19-2022 07:30 AM
Welcome to the HP User Community.
The change was actually implemented - for many of us, at least - at the end of 2020.
Answer
The requirement to sign in using your HP Account cannot be switched off.
What you can do - because use of HP Smart has always been optional - is to use other scan software or applications.
In particular, if you have not done so,
Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer
Use HP Scan - part of the full driver printer software
Examples - Scan Options
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
HP Scan and Capture
Available from the 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 print software 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
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.
Windows Scan – Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher
- “Get” the application from the Store > Windows Scan
HP Smart for Windows - Print and scan application - Requires sign in with your HP Account credentials
- “Get” the application from the Store > HP Printers - Using the HP Smart App (Windows 10)
Possibly
Webscan – located in the Embedded Web Server (EWS) – No additional software
This option requires a network connection and EWS
EWS > HP Document / How-to
Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)
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.
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
HP MFP Scan for HP Laser MFP printers (Windows)
- After installing the full feature software from 123.hp.com, search Windows for and open HP MFP Scan.
- Click Quick Scan to scan a document or photo without changing any settings, or click Advanced Scan for more options and scan job settings.
HP Printer Support 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
Enter the type and name of your HP device
Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!
Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"
02-20-2022 06:43 AM
You are welcome.
We have examples of some of the alternatives - check back if needed.
Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!
Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"