Canon MP Navigator EX Download for Canon PIXMA MP160 — Quick Guide

MP Navigator EX Features for Canon PIXMA MP160 — What You Need to KnowThe Canon PIXMA MP160 is an older, budget-friendly multifunction inkjet printer/scanner/copier that was popular for home users. While the device itself is simple, Canon’s MP Navigator EX software adds useful scanning, saving, and image-processing features that make the MP160 more convenient and flexible. This article explains the main MP Navigator EX features you’ll likely use with the PIXMA MP160, how to access them, common limitations, and practical tips for getting the best results.

What is MP Navigator EX?

MP Navigator EX is Canon’s scanning and document-management application bundled with many PIXMA all-in-one printers, including the MP160. It provides a graphical interface to control the scanner, import images, perform simple edits, save files in various formats, and send scanned documents to email or other applications. It’s intended for users who want straightforward scanning without learning a full image-editing program.

Main features and how they help MP160 users

Below are the key functions of MP Navigator EX and why they matter for MP160 owners.

• Scan modes (Auto, Document, Photo):

  • Auto Scan: Detects the type of original (photo or document) and chooses appropriate settings automatically. Best for quick scans when you don’t want to pick settings manually.
  • Document Scan: Optimized for text — increases contrast and performs deskewing for better OCR accuracy if you later use optical-character-recognition tools.
  • Photo Scan: Preserves color and tonal detail for photographs; avoids overly aggressive contrast that could lose subtle tones.

• Multi-page PDF creation:

  • Allows scanning multiple pages into a single PDF, convenient for creating digital copies of letters, forms, or receipts. You can choose whether to embed searchable text (if you pair with OCR tools) or save as image-only PDF.

• File format options:

  • Save scans as JPEG, PDF, TIFF, BMP, and sometimes PNG. JPEG is good for photos, PDF for documents, TIFF for high-quality archival needs.

• Image enhancements and basic editing tools:

  • Crop, rotate, and straighten scanned images.
  • Auto exposure and color correction to quickly improve photos.
  • Dust removal and dust/reduction options may be limited on MP160 hardware but the software attempts basic cleanup.

• Preview and area selection:

  • Shows a preview scan so you can draw a selection box to scan only part of the platen (useful for scanning photos placed beside documents). This reduces file size and scan time.

• Save-to and send-to options:

  • Quick buttons to save scans to a folder, open in an editor (like Paint or Photoshop if installed), attach to email, or send to Canon’s My Image Garden (in some bundles).

• Batch scanning support:

  • Though MP160 is a flatbed scanner (not an automatic document feeder), MP Navigator EX supports sequential scans where you scan a page, add the next, and append to the same PDF — effectively batching multiple flatbed scans into one file.

• Scan-to-email integration:

  • Simplifies sending scanned documents as attachments. MP Navigator EX will open your default mail client and attach the file, or it can use configured SMTP/POP settings in some versions.

• Settings profiles and presets:

  • Create and save scan presets (resolution, color mode, file type, destination) for recurring tasks (e.g., “Receipts — 200 dpi — PDF”).

Performance and limitations with the PIXMA MP160

• Scanner hardware constraints:

  • The MP160’s scanner is basic compared with modern units. Maximum optical resolution is limited (typically around 2400 x 4800 dpi for photos quoted by Canon, but practical scans for documents are usually 300–600 dpi). Expect slower scans at higher resolutions and modest dynamic range.

• No built-in OCR in older MP Navigator EX versions:

  • Some releases of MP Navigator EX do not include integrated OCR. You can export scans to third-party OCR software to create searchable PDFs or editable text. Newer Canon bundles sometimes include OCR via other Canon utilities.

• Driver and OS compatibility:

  • The MP160 is an older model; Canon may not provide up-to-date MP Navigator EX installers for the latest Windows or macOS versions. On Windows ⁄₁₁ or recent macOS releases you may need compatibility mode, community-compiled drivers, or use generic TWAIN/WIA drivers. Canon’s official support pages or user forums are common places to find compatible installers or workarounds.

• Limited advanced editing:

  • MP Navigator EX is focused on scanning and basic corrections; it is not a replacement for image editors like Photoshop or even Canon’s own Photo Editor in terms of advanced retouching.

Best settings for common tasks

• Scanning text documents for archiving:

  • Resolution: 300 dpi
  • Color mode: Black & White or Grayscale (for better OCR accuracy choose grayscale)
  • File format: PDF (multi-page if scanning multiple pages)

• Scanning photos for general use:

  • Resolution: 300–600 dpi (higher if you plan to enlarge prints)
  • Color mode: Color (24-bit)
  • File format: JPEG (for sharing) or TIFF (for archival)

• Scanning receipts and small items:

  • Resolution: 200–300 dpi
  • Crop to selection to reduce file size
  • File format: PDF or JPEG depending on whether you need multiple pages combined

Troubleshooting common issues

• MP Navigator EX won’t detect the MP160:

  • Confirm the printer/scanner is powered on and connected via USB.
  • Update or reinstall the MP Navigator EX and scanner drivers. On Windows, check Device Manager for driver errors; on macOS, check System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
  • Try a different USB cable or port. Avoid USB hubs when troubleshooting.

• Scans are slow or low quality:

  • Reduce resolution for faster scans when high detail isn’t needed.
  • Clean the scanner glass and the underside of the lid.
  • Update software/drivers; older drivers might not perform optimally on newer OS versions.

• Color shifts or poor exposure:

  • Use the Photo Scan mode and enable auto exposure/color correction. If results are still poor, scan at higher bit depth or use an external editor for color correction.

• Multi-page PDF order issues:

  • Use the preview and append functions in sequence; save the combined file only after scanning all pages to preserve order.

Practical tips and workflow ideas

• Create scan presets for frequent tasks (e.g., “Invoices — 300 dpi — PDF — Folder: Documents/Invoices”).
• Use preview + selection to avoid scanning excess blank areas.
• When archiving important documents, scan twice: one low-resolution PDF for quick access and one higher-resolution TIFF for archival.
• If you need OCR, export grayscale PDFs and run them through a dedicated OCR tool (ABBYY FineReader, Tesseract, or online OCR services).
• Keep a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the glass; fingerprints and dust show up in scans.

Alternatives and when to consider them

If MP Navigator EX limitations are affecting your workflow, consider:

• Using a dedicated scanning app like VueScan (supports many older scanners and provides advanced features).
• Upgrading to a newer multifunction printer with a faster scanner and built-in OCR support.
• Pairing MP Navigator EX with a more powerful image editor (Photoshop, GIMP) or OCR software for tasks that need advanced correction or text extraction.

Comparison: MP Navigator EX vs VueScan

Conclusion

MP Navigator EX remains a useful, user-friendly companion for the Canon PIXMA MP160, offering straightforward scanning modes, basic editing, multi-page PDFs, and useful presets. Its limitations mainly stem from older hardware and mixed support on modern operating systems. For routine home scanning — photos, receipts, and documents — MP Navigator EX paired with the MP160 is adequate. For professional needs, heavy OCR work, or advanced image correction, supplement it with dedicated OCR software or consider third-party scanning applications or newer hardware.