The software can be installed on several workstations. However, this license only authorizes use on a single computer at a time; For multiple use, e.g. with several scanners or on different computers at the same time, additional licenses are required accordingly.

For more information, including on how many systems a license can be active and how often the activation can be switched, please refer to our license conditions.

Here you can find help on how to switch active systems.

To use devices from Braun, Microtek, Pacific Image Electronics, Plustek, Reflecta, and Quato, the installation of device drivers is required. There are two ways to install these drivers:

1. Automatic installation (internet connection required)
If the SilverFast Installer finds an online connection, it will automatically download and install the latest drivers for you. If you cannot provide an internet connection for the installation program, please install the drivers as described under point 2. If you have established an internet connection after having started the installer, please restart the installation program.


2. Manual installation
If no internet connection is available for the installation, please install the device drivers manually before starting SilverFast. Installing these drivers is necessary for SilverFast being able to recognize your scanner as the image source.


2.1 Download device drivers:
You will find the device drivers on our driver download website:

Plustek:https://download.silverfast.com/sf8/drivers/mac/Plustek.zip

Microtek:https://download.silverfast.com/sf8/drivers/mac/Microtek.zip

Braun/Reflecta/Pacific Image Electronics:https://download.silverfast.com/sf8/drivers/mac/AFL.zip

Quato:https://download.silverfast.com/sf8/drivers/mac/Quato.zip
Please download the drivers from our website and unpack them by double-clicking.


2.2 Copy device drivers to:
Please copy the extracted folder into the specified folder in the Library directory of your operating system.
e.g.: OSX 10.14 Mojave⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨LaserSoft Imaging⁩ ▸ ⁨Support Files
The final folder structure should look like this:
e.g.: OSX 10.14 Mojave⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨LaserSoft Imaging⁩ ▸ ⁨Support Files ▸ ⁨Plustek
OSX 10.14 Mojave⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨LaserSoft Imaging⁩ ▸ ⁨Support Files ▸ ⁨Microtek
OSX 10.14 Mojave⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨LaserSoft Imaging⁩ ▸ ⁨Support Files ▸ ⁨Quato
OSX 10.14 Mojave⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨LaserSoft Imaging⁩ ▸ ⁨Support Files ▸ ⁨AFL

When starting the SilverFast installer on OS X/macOS you might encounter the following information window.


This is a security information from Apple to raise awareness on the state of the included software certificate. The Installer is of cause fully usable and save. It was only downloaded or created before Apple's certificate update day.

To obtain an installer with a current certificate simply download the update here from our website again and install that.

Current Apple computers provide a modern Thunderbolt connection. This port is fully USB-C 3.1/FireWire compatible and is therefore suitable for connecting scanners. A compatible adapter cable is required for the connection.


In case of problems, please check first if your scanner is shown in the macOS system report. The device must be displayed there in the Hardware/USB or FireWire section.
(Apple Symbol -> About this Mac -> System Report...)

If the scanner is not displayed there, please check if the device is instead displayed as a different device that you do not know. This could be a hard disk for example. If this is the case, your adapter does not meet the necessary requirements for connecting a scanner.

Please note that the USB-C ports on current MacBooks require two or more adapters to support FireWire. If you encounter any difficulties, please disconnect and reconnect the adapters.

macOS High Sierra currently has an issue when installing directly from a DVD.
To solve this simply download and install the latest update from our website. Our updates are always full installation files.
Alternatively you can copy the installation file from the DVD to your desktop and execute it from there.

Please make sure that the most recent updates are installed for all your SilverFast versions. Each module for the relevant scanner(s) must be downloaded and installed separately.

The best solution is to use the automated update feature. This can be found in the welcome window's service dialog.

Please take a look on this webpage for more information on Windows 10 support.

The drivers for various scanners are not signed for Windows 8. They can be installed anyway using the linked instructions.

The drivers for various scanners are not signed for Windows 8.1. They can be installed anyway using the linked instructions.

Some manufacturers currently only offer 32bit drivers.
These can be installed on Windows 64bit but can not be access by SilverFast 64bit versions.
Please download the SilverFast 32bit version from our Update area.
Please make sure you select the 32bit version of your operating system.
This for example currently concerns:
- Plustek OpticFilm devices:
OF 7200i
- the Quatographic Intelli Scan 5000,
- and the Epson Perfection 2400 / 2400 Photo /GT-9300UF.

An list of supported scanners and operating systems is visible here.

On newer OS X systems the ICA driver gets loaded automatically by the operating system. This can prevent SilverFast from accessing the device. The behavior can be avoided by disabling the EPSON Scanner Monitor through the OS X activity monitor or uninstalling the ICA driver.

Alternatively you can start the EPSON Scan utility and use it to switch the scanner to the TWAIN interface. The dialog should come up automatically when ICA is in use.

Please make sure your Epson scanner is connected directly to an USB port only and do not use a USB-hub or USB-extension.

The scanner status window shows "Error from Nikon".