Many modern printers can scan photos and documents. While your computer might work with your scanner, you'll get better results with specific apps.

To use it, you first need to add your printer to the PC if you haven't already. You can do this by plugging the printer in with a cable or connecting it to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.

On Windows 11, you can set up a wired or Wi-Fi printer, and in this guide, I'll show you how, whether it's a new and modern or old printer.

Connect the printer to one of the computers -- the desktop, if applicable -- via an A/B USB cable. Install to the computer the software that came with the device.

Most old printers connect using a parallel port on the computer. New printers can connect using a USB port, a network adapter built into the printer or, most recently, the wireless printer adapter.

Some printing devices feature a universal serial bus port to which you connect a Bluetooth dongle, or adapter. Attaching the dongle to the printer enables the device to communicate over Bluetooth ...

Many printer brands also offer their own software that lets you scan from your computer. For instance, if you have an HP printer, you can use the HP Smart app to scan documents.