Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

How do I reinstall a printer installed with Windows Update?

by Sep 8, 2012 8:00AM PDT

I just went from XP to a new Dell Windows 7. I have a multi-function printer that used CD drivers on XP, but with Windows 7, I had to install the printer with Windows Update and a scan utility from the manufacturer's web site. All of a sudden after a month, I can't scan, so I want to uninstall & reinstall the printer. How do I do this when it was installed with Windows Update? I see a list of drivers in the DriverStore/FileRepository folder. Do I delete those so Windows Update can reinstall them, or were they already there when I bought the computer?

Discussion is locked

shriba has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
6 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Would an Iobit's Smart Scan jack up my settings??
by Sep 8, 2012 10:21AM PDT

I just downloaded it after reading some reviews, but now it looks like it might mimic malware and could have jacked up my scanner settings...

- Collapse -
Uninstall Smart Scan AND The Printer
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 10, 2012 8:49AM PDT

The Smart Scan software will frequently remove "needed" items and will cause more problems than it fixes.. We don't advise using such registry cleaner/optimizers for just such a reason. If it has the ability to "undo" any changes it made, do so.....Then remove it from the computer.

In addition, generally, using Windows Update drivers is a bad idea. Using the critical Windows Updates is a good thing, but since Microsoft didn't create the drivers for your scanner/printer, why download them from Microsoft. Instead, visit the scanner/printer's website and download the full installation package for the device.. The manufacturer's website should have the newest "full" installation package to run the scanner/printer..

After downloading such, uninstall the printer from the Printer/Faxes folder and also uninstall any associated software using the Control Panel.. Once that's done, follow the scanner/printer manufacturer's instructions for installing the printer using the downloaded software.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Re: Uninstall Smart Scan AND The Printer
by shriba Sep 10, 2012 10:54AM PDT

Thank you for your reply, Grif.

I installed SmartScan primarily after reading the c/net review. I should have read more!

Window Update drivers are the only resource for my printer, there are no manufacturer's drivers anymore. I tried the 64-bit vista drivers, logical right? But,they wouldn't even complete the install, in fact Windows took over and installed it again. For a couple of days solid I kept checking the scan function, and all of a sudden, it was available again. The scan utility gave it full function (scanning legal, l lot of people have had that issue).

So, no more DumbScan ... if you don't know what it's scanning, it isn't so smart!

Besides that, Iobit installed a toolbar, I may have OK'd it as part of the "security." So, they took the liberty of hijacking my searches with Yahoo! - sans my authorization. Iobit = malware in my book.

- Collapse -
Answer
PS. If you ever need to get the scanner working.
by Forum moderator Sep 10, 2012 11:00AM PDT

Check the supported models at http://www.hamrick.com/

I didn't find the printer in your posts so I could not check into alternatives.
Bob

- Collapse -
It's a Brother MFC 8440
by shriba Sep 10, 2012 12:41PM PDT

Thanks for the link. I found a site that said they had drivers, but I didn't want to pay for a "maybe." I even spoke with Brother support via email, and they said there were no drivers for this model anymore. There are links for Windows 7 for this model, but they're not drivers, they're utilities that don't affect print & scan functions. I couldn't even find the scan utility on their site I needed to scan in legal, I got the link from someone on another forum. brother was totally useless, I guess they're hoping we all just buy new machines. I have no reason to update mine, it's truly great, but I will buy another Brother when if finally does conk out (it's laser, scan, copy, flatbed, cheap toner ...).

I got it to work using Windows Update drivers, and the scan utility. It works beautifully once again. But, I did bookmark the VueScan site, just in case, although I'm not sure it would have worked anyeway. I couldn't reach my scanner, using either Windows Fax & Scan or my preferred software, PDF XChange Viewer. This software is awesome for so many things I do.

- Collapse -
I just read VueScan Features ....
by shriba Sep 10, 2012 12:43PM PDT

I will definitely try this if it happens again, in fact, I'll try it first!

Back to Windows 7 forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info