How To Change Scan Settings In Windows 10/11

Most PC users use the built-in Windows Fax and Scan application to scan documents and pictures. Although Windows Fax and Scan gets the job done, it’s not as intuitive as programs offered by scanner manufacturers.

If you often use the Windows Fax and Scan program to scan documents and pictures, you might want to change the default scan settings. For instance, you might want to change the default output format to something PNG from the default JPEG. You might also want to alter the brightness and contrast levels.

In this guide, we will see how to change the default scan settings in Windows Fax and Scan application present in Windows 10/11.

Note that you can also change scan settings in the scanner app provided by your scanner manufacturer.

Here is how to change scan settings while using the default Windows Fax and Scan application.

Change scan settings on Windows 10/11 PC

Step 1: Launch the Windows Fax and Scan program by typing the same in the Start/taskbar search field.

NOTE: If the Windows Fax and Scan is not present on your Windows 11 PC, refer to our how to install Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11 guide.

Step 2: At the bottom-left pane of the Windows Fax and Scan window, select Scan. Click the Tools menu and then click the Scan settings option.

Step 3: You might see two or more profiles. To change the default setting of a profile, select it, and then click the Edit button. To add a new profile, click the Add button and then select the settings.

Step 4: Your scanner will use the default profile unless you change the same. So, select the default profile from the list and then click the Edit button.

Step 5: You can select the color format, output file type, resolution, brightness, and contrast settings. After making the necessary changes, click the Save Profile button.

In addition to the built-in Windows Fax and Scanner application, you can also use the official Scan app available in the Windows 10/11 Store to scan documents and pictures, but the Scan app doesn’t offer many settings.