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Installing the Printer Software in Windows 8 for a USB Cable Connection

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Introduction

This document explains how to install the print driver
A print driver is a software program that allows the computer to run the printer.
and other software for your HP printer. Please read this if you plan to use a USB cable to connect your printer to a computer running the Windows 8 operating system.
Figure 1: USB Cable
Image: USB Cable
CAUTION: Do NOT connect the USB cable now. Wait until the on-screen instructions prompt you to connect it. HP recommends using a USB cable that is less than 3 m (10 ft) long.
There are several methods available to install the software and driver for your printer, including using the HP Printer Install Wizard, downloading the HP software, and installing the basic driver included in the Windows 8 operating system (in-OS driver).
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The following information can help you decide which installation method to use.
For a new printer:This program quickly finds and installs the best print driver for your printer.
For an older printer:Using the Printer Install Wizard software provides the best results for your older printer . This program automatically finds and installs the best print driver, meaning you do not need to search the HP website for the correct software.
About the software:The software is available for download from the HP website and is updated on a regular basis.
For a new printer:If you do not have the product CD, you can download the software you need.
For an older printer: Even though it takes more time than using the CD, downloading the latest software can help you avoid installation issues.

Downloading is the recommended method if your computer operating system released after the HP printer released.
About the software:The software you can download from the HP website is the most current software available for your printer. HP often updates software and drivers AFTER the printer and CD release to the market.
For a new printer:Available through the Windows 8 operating system or Windows Update, this driver provides basic printer functionality.
For an older printer:For customers who need basic printer functionality, or if updated full-feature HP software for the new version of Windows for your printer is not immediately available on the HP website.
About the software:The driver is available in the Windows 8 operating system or through Windows Update. It automatically installs the most current driver when the printer is connected to the computer with a USB cable.
Click the plus sign () for more information.
The HP Printer Install Wizard quickly and easily finds the best Windows 8 print driver for your printer. To save time, try using this automated tool instead of the other installation methods in this document.
NOTE:The HP Printer Install Wizard is not available for all printers, and is available only for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Follow these steps to install and run the HP Printer Install Wizard.
Link to toolFile size
HP Printer Install Wizard > 1MB
  1. Click or tap the link to the HP Printer Install Wizard.
  2. Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements, and then click or tap Download .
  3. Click or tap Run in the Notification bar to download the software.
  4. Click or tap Yes in the User Account Control window. The wizard opens automatically.
    NOTE:For more information about the HP Printer Install Wizard, you can review a complete summary of its functions and capabilities.
    Learn more!

    Using the HP Printer Install Wizard
Follow these steps to download and install the software for your printer.

Video of downloading and installing the Full Feature software with a USB connection

The following video demonstrates how to download and install the Full Feature software with a USB connection in Windows 8.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click or tap here to play the video on YouTube .

Step one: Download the software

Follow these steps to download the printer software and save it to your computer.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the printer on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers .
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click or tap the Plus sign ( ) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
      If prompted to enter your printer in the window
      1. Type your printer model in the window.
      2. Click or tap Next . If necessary, select your model in a list of similar printers.
      3. Click or tap Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click or tap the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click or tap your operating system.
      5. Click or tap Next , and then continue to the next step
      If prompted to select your operating system
      1. Click or tap the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click or tap your operating system.
      2. Click or tap Next , and then continue to the next step.
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click or tap the Full Feature Software and Driver option.
    NOTE:A Full Feature driver is not available for some printers.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click or tap View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click or tap Download .
  8. Click or tap Save in the Notification bar to download the software.
    NOTE:The software file automatically saves to the Downloads folder on your computer. If you want to install it at a later time, right-click or tap and hold the bottom left corner of the screen, click or tap File Explorer , and then click or tap Downloads to access the file.

Step two: Install the software

Follow these steps to install the downloaded HP software and driver.
  1. When the download completes, click or tap Run in the Notification bar.
    NOTE:If you closed the Notification bar after the download completed, right-click or tap and hold the bottom left corner of the screen, click or tap File Explorer , and then click or tap Downloads . Find the name of the HP software file, and then double-click or double-tap the file.
  2. Click or tap Yes in the User Account Control window, and then wait while the installer extracts the files.
  3. When the Install Wizard starts, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
A basic (in-OS) driver for your printer might be available in the Windows 8 operating system or through Windows Update. When you connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable, Windows 8 detects the printer and automatically installs the most current in-OS driver. A notification lets you know when installation begins and when it is complete. You do not have to download any software or insert the printer CD.
NOTE:With this in-OS driver, some of the buttons on the printer do not function and some of the advanced printer features are not available. However, using the workaround procedures in this document, you can still print from a software program and you can still scan documents if your printer supports scanning. You can also import and view images on a memory card if your printer has a memory card slot.

Step one: Set up Windows to automatically detect the latest print drivers

HP might release updates to the in-OS print driver for your printer. Follow these steps to make sure that your computer can detect and install the updated drivers.

Video of how to set Windows to automatically update

The follow video demonstrates how to set Windows to Automatically Update.
.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube .
  1. Right-click or tap and hold the lower left corner of the computer screen to display the menu.
  2. Click or tap Search .
  3. Click or tap Settings .
  4. Type Change device installation settings in the search box.
  5. Click or tap Change device installation settings .
  6. If it is not already selected, select Yes, do this automatically (recommended) , and then click or tap Save Changes .
    NOTE:Windows 8 might prompt you to restart the computer. Make sure that you bookmark this page so that you can quickly access it again.
  7. Your Windows 8 computer can now automatically detect the most current in-OS printer drivers and then download and install them using Windows Update.

Step two: Install the in-OS driver

NOTE:The computer must be connected to the Internet for Windows to check for the most current driver for your printer.
  1. Turn the printer on.
  2. Connect a USB cable to the printer, and then to the computer. Windows 8 automatically searches for the most current driver for your printer.

Step three: Print a document from a Desktop app

Print from any software program to make sure that your printer is working correctly.
  1. Open a document in the software application in which it was created.
  2. Click or tap File , and then click or tap Print .

How to use your printer with an in-OS print driver

Some functions might not be available with the in-OS driver, but you can still print and perform common tasks, if your printer supports them, by using the following workarounds.
Follow these steps to print from an app on the Start screen or from the Desktop.
  1. From the Start Screen, click or tap the app you wish to print from.
  2. Move the mouse cursor to or touch and hold the top right or bottom right of the screen to activate the Charms Bar.
  3. Click or tap Devices .
  4. Click or tap the HP driver that you installed.
    NOTE:If your printer is not listed, the app does not currently support printing. Contact the app developer for additional information.
  5. Click or tap Print.
Video of printing from the Desktop
The following video demonstrates how to print in Windows 8 from the Desktop.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click or tap here to play the video on YouTube .
  1. From the Desktop, open the document to be printed in the software application in which it was created.
  2. Click or tap File , and then click or tap Print .
Use one of the following options to scan a document, if your printer supports scanning.
Video of scanning with Windows Fax and Scan
The following video demonstrates how to scan in Windows 8 with Windows Fax and Scan.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click or tap here to play the video on YouTube .
  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF) if your printer has one.
  2. Right-click or touch and hold the lower left corner of the screen, and then click or tap Search from the menu.
  3. Click or tap Apps ( ) if it is not already selected.
  4. Type Fax and Scan in the search box.
  5. Click or tap Windows Fax and Scan in the results.
  6. Click or tap New Scan , and then click or tap Scan .
Video of scanning with Paint
The following video demonstrates how to scan in Windows 8 with Paint.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click or tap here to play the video on YouTube .
  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF) if your printer has one.
  2. Right-click or touch and hold the lower left corner of the screen, and then click or tap Search from the menu.
  3. Click or tap Apps ( ) if it is not already selected.
  4. Type Paint in the search box.
  5. Click or tap Paint in the results.
  6. Click or tap File , and then click or tap From scanner or camera .
  7. Select your printer, click or tap OK , and then click or tap Scan .
Although you cannot fax a document directly from your computer, you can still fax a printed document from the printer if your printer supports faxing.
  1. Print the document you want to fax.
  2. Place the printout on the flat surface or feeder slot in the same way you would for scanning or copying a document.
  3. Fax the paper version of the document by using the faxing buttons on the control panel of the All-in-One.
If your printer has a memory card slot, follow these steps to access images on a memory card.
Video of importing and viewing images on a memory card
The following video demonstrates how to import and view images on a memory card in Windows 8 from your printer's memory card slot.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click or tap here to play the video on YouTube .
  1. Insert the card into the appropriate memory card slot on the printer.
    NOTE:If the card is already inserted, remove and then reinsert it.
    • If the Choose what to do with memory cards window opens , click or tap one of the options, and then follow the instructions to access your files or images.
    • If the Choose what to do with memory cards window does not open , use the following steps to access your files or images with File Explorer.
  2. Right-click or tap and hold the lower left corner of the screen, and then click or tap File Explorer from the menu.
  3. Click or tap the drive letter that corresponds to the memory card slot on the printer to access your files or images.