« back to list of articles
Last Reviewed:  April 19, 2023

ScanSnap Scanners

IMPORTANT: The new ScanSnap Home software requires a different setup. See ScanSnap Home Setup if you're using ScanSnap Home. If you use the older ScanSnap software, follow the instructions below.

Note that we now have a tutorial video that walks you through the ScanSnap setup step-by-step, and shows how ScanSnap scanning works. Watch ScanSnap Scanners here.

The popular ScanSnap scanner can be used with FileCenter to organize new scans.

Scanning Limitations

The ScanSnap works very well with FileCenter, but with one limitation. You can't use FileCenter's Scan dialog with the ScanSnap. This means that you can't set scanning parameters like page size, color, resolution, or scanning preferences from FileCenter. It also means you can't initiate scans in FileCenter. Why? Because the ScanSnap doesn't provide a TWAIN driver, which is what third-party programs need to be able to talk to it.

The good news is that you can set up FileCenter as a target application for new scans. This means that you can scan directly into whatever location you have selected in FileCenter. It's a one-step method for scanning and filing simultaneously.

Setting Up the ScanSnap to Work with FileCenter

In most cases, FileCenter should automatically add a Save to FileCenter option to the ScanSnap Manager's Quick Menu. When you initiate a scan from the ScanSnap, you should see Save to FileCenter as one of the choices on the ScanSnap's menu.

For this to work, you need to make some configuration changes in your ScanSnap software. Also note that this may not work with all versions of the ScanSnap software:

  1. Locate the icon for the ScanSnap Manager in the system tray at the bottom-right corner of the screen by the clock (it's often a blue icon with a white "S")
  2. Right-click on the icon and select Scan Button Settings
  3. De-select the option called Use Quick Menu
  4. Select the Application tab (if you don't see it, click the Detail button)
  5. Select Add or Remove then Add
  6. Call your new application Scan to FileCenter
  7. For the Application Path, browse out to FileCenter (it's typically located at: C:\Program Files (x86)\FileCenter\Main\FileCenter.exe)
  8. Click OK then Close to get back to the ScanSnap Manager
  9. Switch over to the Save tab
  10. Make sure that Rename File after Scanning is NOT selected
  11. Switch over to the File Option tab
  12. Make sure that Convert to Searchable PDF is NOT selected

At this point, you have a choice to make. If you want to always scan to FileCenter, make sure that Scan to FileCenter is selected as the Application, then click OK. If, on the other hand, you want to be able to choose on a scan-by-scan basis what to do with the scans, re-select Use Quick Menu then OK.

Using the ScanSnap with FileCenter

Now open FileCenter and go to a drawer or folder. Put a document in the ScanSnap scanner and press the scan button on the scanner. If you're prompted, select Scan to FileCenter. When the scan finishes, FileCenter will ask you for a filename, then save it to the current drawer/folder.

If you prefer visually inspecting the scan before saving it, you can scan into FileCenter's Edit tab instead.

A better solution starts right here.

Download your free trial and get on the path to better file organization in 2 minutes.

  • Fully-operational, 15-day trial
  • Windows desktop software
  • No credit card required, no strings attached.