Unable to find the "Full Feature Driver" for macOS 11 on the HP Site - only HP Smart is available

[evolve75]

Hello,

I am trying to setup the "Scan to Computer" feature on my HP 8720 printer/scanner on a new computer that is running macOS Big Sur (11.4). I had used this successfully on older Macs using the "Easy Scan" software, which ran in the background as a menubar item.

However, at this time, every single driver and software download on HP.com points to the new "HP Smart" software, which does NOT provide this "Easy Scan" feature—i.e., it is no longer possible to scan from the printer/scanner and have the scanned file stored on a computer.  Note that the other way round (initiating the scan from the computer) is possible with HP Smart (though the UI is very clunky).

The question: Is the Full Feature Driver software still available for macOS Big Sur, and if yes, where is this elusive download link?

P.S.: I have already tried the standard process for entering the product model and accessing the software download page. This page does NOT have the Full Feature Driver Software (only the HP Smart).

[Jay_G24]

Hi @evolve75,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are looking to download the full-featured drivers for your printer.

You may download the drivers from the HP Software and Drivers page.

You will find the driver under the Software -Utility tab( install HP Easy start for full-featured drivers)

Here is a link -https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-officejet-pro-8720-all-in-one-printer-series/79...

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[evolve75]

Hello @Jay_G24,

Thanks—but as I mentioned in the original message, the link for supported drivers just lists "HP Smart" and the "Apple AirPrint" drivers. The "Full Printer Drivers" (which had the Easy Scan application as well) is NOT available anymore on the printer support page.

[Jay_G24]

The drivers are available, please check the below image.

Hope this helps, keep me posted

[evolve75]

Jay_G24,

Unfortunately, the link you mentioned to "HP Easy Start" driver s/w also ultimately downloads and installs the HP Smart software—not the original full set of drivers that included HP Easy Scan. See screen shot below of the application's install screen:

[evolve75 · Accepted solution]

OK. So "HP Easy Start" does provide a way to download the full drivers—but it is a hidden / non-obvious mechanism. Basically, follow these steps:

1.  When HP Easy Start prompts to "install the latest HP Smart software", do NOT click the "Get Software" button.
2. Instead, try to close the window by clicking the red close button on the top-left of the window
3. This will open a dialog, in which the second option is "Skip to Software Download". Select this option instead
4. This will open a new window with the options to download the full drivers and the Easy Scan software

See the screenshots below for details. HP is obviously trying to push the dumbed down "HP Smart" software, and has effectively hidden the full software options behind user unfriendly UI options, instead of providing an explicit link or button in the main window to the full software option.

Try to close the window to get the options dialog…and then select the full drivers and Easy Scan software installation

[Jay_G24]

I am glad you were able to figure this out.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Let me know!