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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 make sure: - that Apple Bonjour is installed on your system. - that the JobMonitor is activated in the welcome screen's service dialog. - that both your iOS device and your computer are on the same network. - that your firewall is configured to allow network access by SilverFast.

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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.

Please make sure, that the most recent updates are installed for all your SilverFast versions. When installing manually, each module 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.

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.

These devices use a fix focus lens system. The focus depends on the chosen scan mode. The normal transparency mode focuses at the hight of the film holders. The wide transparency and reflective modes place the focus at the surface of the glass plane.

When using the film holders it is further possible to adjust the hight of the film holder.

Make sure you have selected a sufficient resolution.

The scanner status window shows "Error from Nikon".

I already have a SilverFast 8 serial.
How do I update my SilverFast 6 verison?

Please directly install SilverFast 8.
It is a completely new software and no direct update from SilverFast 6.
No SilverFast 6 installation is required for the new SilverFast 8.
You can install it (except for Nikon Scanners) but you do not have to.

HDR(i) ^RAW files are being saved using gamma 1.0.

There can be various reasons for stripes in an image.

1. Equally spaced, thick, red or blue lines.

Your SilverFast version might be using an outdated license.
- Open the Welcome screen's Service dialog
- Click the Reset SN and quit button
- Restart SilverFast and enter your most recent serial number

2. Fuzzy grey lines

These are most likely the result of dust on the lamp or sensor. Please consult your scanner's manual or manufacturer support on how to clean the device.

3. Fine, colored lines

These can be the result of electrical interference, especially from fluorescent lights, freezers, air conditioner, air fan, or similar devices.
Power strips with overvoltage protection can help to prevent this.
However, in some cases such stripes might be the result of a damaged device.

- selecting resolution
- improving sharpness
- reducing noise
- optimizing Dynamic Range

48->24 Bit is the standard option used for .jpg images and most standard image files.

The WorkflowPilot offers various goal-orientated, pre-set guided workflows.
It is meant as a trainig/tutorial tool to learn necessary steps in creating an image.
SilverFast Ai Studio additionally allows you to create your own workflows in the SilverFast preferences.

Follow this link for a list of available workflows.

This also allows the creation of new frames using custom settings.

The meta data in SilverFast is written using the IPTC NAA-/IIM-Standard.
According to this standard the tags are written correctly.
Photoshop however uses its own format for metadata called IPTC XMP.
Unfortunately this causes Photoshop to show some tags incorrectly.

I require an alternative way to install and download my SilverFast version.

Please check if your scanner is listed on the following page.

If none of the above applies to your case please check the following:

Is your scanner directly connected to your computer?
Please do not use a hub or extension cable for your USB/FireWire connection.

Do you have any other devices attached which might cause a conflict?
This often is the case with other imaging devices. (other scanners, cameras, multi function printers, graphic tablets,...) We also get an increasing number of reports about external hard drives causing issues.

In case you have any such devices attached please make a test after disconnecting them.