option "scan to OCR" not available in HP Scan

[cipielle]

I installed as first option "HP Universal Scan - Basic Feature Software and Driver" to realize that the option "scan to OCR" isn't available. I then installed the "HP Universal Scan - Full Feature Software and Driver" as suggested in this forum and in Google searches. Option "scan to OCR" not available yet. Run "HP Print and Scan Doctor" that says the "this tool is unable to find HP Scan software in your computer" and mark in RED the "HP scan" test (Windows WIA is OK -green). HP Scan is currently installed and working WITHOUT "sent to OCR" option. Any idea on how to solve ?

[Dragon-Fur]

@cipielle 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

In my experience,

It's kind of a mess -- it should work and the setup can usually be sorted.

If you have not done so,

Install the Full driver printer software.

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

Printer Software - Install - Full Feature Software

If you have not done so, consider

If the software is already installed and you want to "reinstall":

Uninstall the printer software from Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

Check that all the pieces of the printer software have been removed - if anything is deleted, Restart computer and log in

Next,

Download, Save, (then) Install new copy of the printer software

After the software in installed, Restart the computer and log in

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download  <<<

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only 

And...

That might do it.

What?

In general, the full driver printer software might be installed first and then the Universal Scan software.

The HP Universal Scan software is stand alone, that is, it includes its own fancy (upgraded) version of the HP Scan Software.

1)  The HPUS (HP Universal Scan) software adds the OCR libraries to installed HP Scan software.

and / or

2)  HPUS adds a separate shortcut to the Desktop that - instead of the shortcut being named for the printer - the Universal Scan "HP Scan" shortcut is named HP Scan.

Honestly, I have no idea whether the HP Print and Scan Doctor has been upgraded to manage, see, and deal with the HP Universal Scan software package.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

References / Resources / Examples

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_10

Example - Windows - HP Print Software - Parts

Parts_to_Printer_Software_8

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

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

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), Supplies, and more

Open

HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[cipielle]

Thanks Dragon-Fur,

as I did many install/reinstall without success, I phoned HP Support to get help.

They told me that my printer model (Smart Tank 7005) DO NOT have the "scan to OCR" option by design.

To me that should be very well stated on the printer package (before purchase) or on HP support page website.

I asked the rationale of this limitation (tecnical or commercial) without answer.

The HP Support web page TODAY says "

• Integrated HP OCR Imaging Library

as one of the features of version 51.7.5628 HP Universal scan.

What to say ? Clearly HP employee do not communicate each other so clearly as I am a bit confused because website and support team don't speak the same voice. 

Furthermore it should be very helpful to have the list (support team seems to have one) of printers that do not support OCR. This will save a lot of time doing something that could not be achieved by design. My comment: who cares about customer wasted time !!!! I will be the only one to remember on my next direct or influenced purchase.

Please do not think I have something against you. I very appreciated your help.

Pierluigi

[Dragon-Fur]

@cipielle 

Sure - You are welcome.

I do not wish to get in between HP tech support and anyone else.

The following is provided FYI.

According to what I can find,

The embedded OCR software that was originally part of the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software was removed from the installation package.

The removal is noted in the details in the package download web page in section "Fixes":

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only 

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

Next

Software web page for this printer:

Software and Drivers

The Universal Scan software is listed (at this writing).

??

New for June 2022!

HP printers - Scan as Editable Text (OCR) with HP Scan (Windows) 

Excerpted

For HP print drivers downloaded after June 2022, the HP Universal Scan software is required to enable the Save as Editable Text (OCR) shortcut in HP Scan. HP print drivers downloaded before June 2022 do not need to install HP Universal Scan.

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

- Printer Software - HP Universal Scan Software

The full driver printer software does not any longer include the embedded OCR.

The Universal Scan Software is listed as available for your printer and Operating System.

Were it mine to do,

I'd remove / uninstall all the printer software (Programs and Features)

If found, uninstall the HP OCR software in Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

Check to make sure all printer references are gone (Check and Remove section)

If any printer software is found hiding, remove it > Restart the computer and log in

Were it mine to do,

At the point where I was sure all the printer software has been removed, I would

• Make sure all Windows Updates are current and installed.
• Restart everything, including the router that controls the network.

Next,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

Restart the computer and log in

Install the HP Universal Scan Software

Restart the computer and log in

Check for the software installed in Programs and Features

Check for the "HP Scan" shortcut on the Desktop

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

Will that work?

Based on what you say, perhaps not.

Based on the evidence, both the full driver and the Universal Scan software should install for this printer and this Operating System / version (Windows 10).

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

References / Resources / Examples

Example "Check and Remove" Section

Check_and_Remove_Section_3

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[cipielle]

@Dragon-Fur

After your answer I decided to give another pass to see if I can manage to solve.

I carefully went trought you instructions and uninstalled all pieces of software for my HP printer (as my laptop is an HP Pavilion I did it carefully not to touch any other HP related software). I manually cleaned the folders indicated by you (please note that in my C:\ProgramData the printer software was in \HP instead of \Hewlett Packard). Rebooted and then installed the only Cumulative Update Preview hanging for my Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (KB 5022906) and rebooted.

I then installed the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software (Easy start printer setup software [HPEasyStart_15_4_7.exe]) and went trought the complete install procedure. I verified that the printer is installed (even though with a fancy name belonging to my ISP "nomenet.telecom.it (HP Smart Tank 7000 Series)". During this install I found one more file in my Download  folder named Full_Webpack-55.3.5043_1-ST7000_Full_Webpack.exe (I think was used by HPEasyStart). 

Rebooted.

As last step I downloaded and installed Full_Webpack-51.7.5628-SJ0001_Full_Webpack.exe (found under Driver-Universal scan driver). Strangely it doesn't recognized that my printer was already configured and asked me to choose which way to connect my printer (??) . I choose to connect manually later not to have 2 printer listed in my Control Panel (already happened during my several attempt). 

At the end of a long story the result is same as before "No scan to OCR" available (the option listed are Scan to PDF/JPEG - Email to PDF/JPEG - Send to Cloud - Everyday Scan).

I believe that HP phone support is right !

Now the only thing I would like to do is to report my trouble to somebody in HP just to have a final and Official answer if my printer has this OCR feature. Do you have an HP email address to address this mail to ?

Another point is to have somebody suggest a (maybe) registry tweak to "force" the software work with my printer as I think it is not a technical feature lack of the printer.

Again, thanks a lot for your effort.

Ciao, Pierluigi

[Dragon-Fur]

@cipielle 

Easy Start generally works -- not everyone prefers it.

Sure - use the installation method that makes sense to you.

When the full driver printer software is installed, it is listed in Programs and Features.

Connect / fully install the HP Universal Scan software.

Not doing so means the software is not usable and not fully installed / connected to the printer.

Try again - fully install the HP Universal Scan Software.

Once installed, the Universal Scan Software will list in Programs and Features.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

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

Moving on...

I do not have a way to connect anyone directly with  HP World-Wide Support

At this writing, there is not a way to submit a case using email.

I will send your comments to our moderator team.

Should there be a response, the agent will first leave a message here before using other means to contact you.

Request for Review – Please Read

A request has been submitted to our Community moderators for review and possible escalation of your question.

Worth Noting

• Our Community is a peer-to-peer user group.
• We are not HP Technical Support -- We are not associated with HP Sales, Service, or Warranty.
• Our request for assistance on your behalf does not guarantee HP will respond nor does our request influence the outcome.
• The time frame (how long it takes) to receive a response from HP is not controlled by the Community.

Important

• Do not contact phone or email posted in a public or private message from “new” members.

• Please do not post any personal information in the Community.  We are a public resource.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"