How Do I Uninstall a Canon Scanner Driver?

To uninstall a Canon scanner driver, the most common and effective method is to use the "Uninstall a program" feature available in the Windows Control Panel. This process ensures the driver and any associated software are properly removed from your system.

Steps to Uninstall Your Canon Scanner Driver

Follow these detailed steps to remove your Canon scanner driver:

1. Access the Control Panel:

   • On Windows 10/11: Right-click the Start button and select Control Panel or type "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and open it.
   • On older Windows versions: Click the Start button and select Control Panel.

2. Navigate to Programs:

   • In the Control Panel, look for the Programs section.
   • Under Programs, click on Uninstall a program. This will open a list of all installed applications on your computer.

3. Locate and Select the Driver:

   • Browse through the list of installed programs to find the Canon scanner driver or any Canon-related software that pertains to your scanner. It might be listed as:
     • "Canon [Your Scanner Model Name] Driver"
     • "Canon IJ Scan Utility"
     • "Canon MP Drivers"
     • "Canon My Image Garden" (if installed with the scanner software)
   • Once you've identified the correct entry, click on it to select it.

4. Initiate Uninstallation:

   • With the driver or software selected, click the Uninstall/Change button, which typically appears at the top of the program list.

5. Follow On-Screen Prompts:

   • A wizard will usually guide you through the uninstallation process. Follow the prompts, confirming that you wish to remove the selected software. You may be asked to restart your computer after the uninstallation is complete; it is highly recommended to do so to finalize the removal of all files and registry entries.

Additional Tips for Driver Uninstallation

• Restart Your Computer: Always restart your PC after uninstalling a driver to ensure all residual files are cleared and changes take effect.
• Check Device Manager: After restarting, you can optionally open Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager) to check if the scanner device is still listed under "Imaging devices" or "Other devices." If it is, right-click it and select "Uninstall device" (and check "Delete the driver software for this device" if available).
• Specific Canon Utilities: Some Canon scanners may come with their own dedicated uninstallation utility. Check the scanner's installation disc or Canon's support website for your specific model if the Control Panel method doesn't seem to fully remove it.

By following these steps, you can effectively uninstall your Canon scanner driver, clearing the way for new driver installations or simply decluttering your system.