You're not alone in feeling frustrated—many users have noticed this change. HP has gradually started requiring users to log into an
HP account to access certain functions, especially when using the
HP Smart app, even for local scanning. It’s understandable that this feels invasive, especially when these features used to work without any login.
As for other brands:
- Epson: Most Epson MFPs still allow scanning via the Epson Scan 2 software without needing any online account login. You can scan locally as long as the drivers are properly installed.
- Canon: Canon’s IJ Scan Utility also works without needing a Canon account. Like Epson, it’s generally more "offline-friendly."
- Brother: Brother is another brand that doesn't typically require logins for scanning. Their ControlCenter software works locally.
If you're not happy with HP's approach, switching to another brand might give you more flexibility. In the meantime, if your HP printer supports
TWAIN or WIA drivers, you might be able to scan using
Windows Fax and Scan or
third-party software like
NAPS2 without needing to go through HP Smart.
Hope this helps clarify things a bit!