Where do Canon Printer Scans Go?

By default, when you scan documents using a Canon printer, the scanned data is saved to the My Documents folder on your computer. A dedicated subfolder, named with the specific scanning date (e.g., "2023_10_27"), is automatically created within My Documents, and your scanned files are stored there.

Understanding Scan Destinations

While the "My Documents" folder is the default location, where your Canon printer scans end up can vary depending on the scanning method, the software used, and any custom settings you or your software apply.

Default Location (PC/Mac)

When using Canon's scanning software like Canon IJ Scan Utility or MP Navigator EX on a Windows PC or Mac:

• Default Path: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents (on Windows) or ~/Documents (on macOS).
• Subfolder: Within the "Documents" folder, a new folder is typically created for each scanning session, named with the date of the scan (e.g., 2023_10_27). All files from that session are saved inside this dated folder.
• File Format: Scans are usually saved as JPEG, PDF, TIFF, or PNG, depending on your settings.

Other Common Scan Destinations

Beyond the default, Canon printers offer several ways to save your scanned documents:

• Custom Folder:
  • How to Set: Most Canon scanning applications allow you to specify a different destination folder before you start scanning. Look for a "Save Settings," "Destination," or "Save To" option within the software interface.
  • Benefit: This is useful for organizing projects, separating personal from work documents, or saving directly to network drives.
• Mobile Device (Using Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App):
  • Destination: If you scan using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY mobile app, the scanned images or PDFs are usually saved directly to your smartphone's or tablet's photo gallery or a specific folder designated by the app within your device's internal storage.
  • Access: You can typically find these files in your device's "Gallery," "Photos," or a folder named "Canon PRINT" or "Scans."
• USB Flash Drive:
  • Process: Many Canon printers with a built-in USB port allow you to scan directly to a USB flash drive inserted into the printer.
  • Destination: The scanned files are saved directly onto the USB drive, often within a folder created by the printer (e.g., "CANON_SCANS").
• Email or Cloud Services:
  • Functionality: Some advanced Canon multi-function printers can scan documents and directly send them as email attachments or upload them to cloud storage services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote).
  • Configuration: This functionality usually requires initial setup on the printer's control panel or via its web interface to link your accounts.
  • Destination: The files reside in the specified email inbox or cloud storage folder.

Finding Your Scanned Files

If you're having trouble locating a scanned document, here are some steps to take:

1. Check the Default Location First:
   • On Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC > Documents (or My Documents). Look for folders named by date.
   • On macOS: Open Finder and go to Documents from the sidebar. Look for date-named folders.
2. Review Your Scanning Software Settings:
   • Open the Canon scanning application you used (e.g., Canon IJ Scan Utility).
   • Before initiating a scan, check the "Save settings" or "Destination" section within the software. This will show you the currently configured save location.
3. Use Search:
   • If you remember part of the file name (scans are often named numerically, like IMG_0001 or Doc_001), or the date you scanned, use your operating system's search function (Windows Search or macOS Spotlight) to look for files within the "Documents" folder or even across your entire computer.
4. Check Mobile Device Galleries:
   • If you used the mobile app, check your phone's photo gallery or file manager.

Best Practices for Managing Scans

To ensure you always know where your Canon printer scans go:

• Designate a Specific Scan Folder: Create a primary folder on your computer (e.g., "My Scans") and always direct your Canon scanning software to save files there.
• Organize with Subfolders: Within your primary scan folder, create subfolders for different categories (e.g., "Bills," "Receipts," "Work Documents," "Personal").
• Rename Files Immediately: Give scanned files descriptive names as soon as you save them (e.g., "UtilityBill_Oct2023.pdf") instead of generic names like "IMG_0001."
• Regularly Back Up: Back up your scanned documents to an external hard drive or cloud storage to prevent data loss.