# Scanners and Windows

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanners-and-windows/202949>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 21, 2003, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanners-and-windows/202949 "2003-09-21T10:37:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![capnfutile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@capnfutile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capnfutile)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanners-and-windows/202949/1 "2003-09-21T10:37:55Z")

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Is there a software package that can drive a windows scanner WITHOUT using the oft-times infuriating scanner software?

I’m speaking of HP her - the one I’m using at work won’t remember the settings, so each time I scan I have to change the type of scan and resolution, which is gonna be fun since I’ve got about 300 pics to scan. Both HPs I’ve used prior to this one behaved the same way. ARGH!

Perhaps I could initiate the scan with a command line/batch file run by a desktop icon?

capn “pulling my hair out” futile

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**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanners-and-windows/202949/2 "2003-09-23T01:12:06Z")

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If you have Word you can do an Insert\>Picture\>From Scanner or Camera and it will give you an easy to work with .jpg format.

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**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanners-and-windows/202949/3 "2003-09-23T01:33:24Z")

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Most scanners come with a TWAIN driver, which I understand _should_ allow other programs to use the scanner, but I haven’t tried this, so YMMV.

It also depends on the scanner you get. I have an HP Photo scanner 1000 (a little streaky, but free after the rebate) that installs as a SCSI USB storage device. Press the button, wait a 20 seconds, and drive F: (or whatever) now contains Scan01.jpg. There’s no ability to fine-tune things, but the convenience is great.