How to Copy Printed Paper and Save It on the Computer

By Greyson Ferguson

Scan in documents into your computer if you want to save hard copies onto your system.
i computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com

If you have a hard copy document you want to save on your computer, you must copy the document via scanner and save the file as a digital copy. This is only accomplished through the aid of a scanner. Although most printers now have scanners built right in it is possible to purchase a stand-alone scanner for less than $100 (as of June 2010).

Power on the scanner. Install any drivers provided with the hardware if you have not yet used the device.

Open the scanner lid and place the hard copy onto the scanner bed. Close the lid to secure the document in place.

Click "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories" and choose "Scanner and Camera Wizard." A program window appears that specializes in importing documents from your scanner or camera.

Click "Scanner," then choose "Scan" and a digital copy of your document is created on your computer.

Choose "File," "Save" and title the document. Select a location to save the file to and click "OK" to save the printed document as a digital file on your computer.

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