You've hit upon a frustrating compatibility issue that's becoming increasingly common with newer ARM-based Windows devices. The problem lies in the fact that many peripheral manufacturers, like Canon in this case, haven't yet released drivers specifically compiled for the ARM architecture.
Here's a breakdown of the situation and potential solutions:
Understanding the Problem
ARM vs. x86/x64:
Traditional Windows computers use x86 or x64 processors from Intel or AMD.
Your Snapdragon X Elite uses an ARM-based processor, a different architecture.
Software and drivers compiled for x86/x64 won't directly work on ARM unless they're emulated.
Driver Compatibility:
Peripheral drivers (like those for your Canon TR8620) need to be specifically written for the processor architecture.
Many manufacturers haven't prioritized ARM driver development yet, leading to compatibility issues.
Emulation Limitations:
Windows on ARM does offer x86/x64 emulation, but it's not perfect. It can introduce performance overhead and may not work reliably with all drivers, especially those that interact closely with hardware.
Windows Driver Website:
The windows driver website will provide generic drivers, that often provide very limited functionality, and in your case, is failing to provide the needed services.
Possible Solutions and Workarounds
Check for Updated Canon Drivers:
Regularly visit the Canon support website for your TR8620 model. It's possible that they will release ARM-compatible drivers in the future.
Look for any mention of "Windows on ARM," "Snapdragon," or "ARM64" in the driver descriptions.
Windows Update:
Ensure your Windows installation is fully up to date. Sometimes, Microsoft releases updates that improve driver compatibility or provide generic drivers that may work.
Contact Canon Support Directly:
Contact Canon's technical support and explain the situation. Let them know that you're using a Windows on ARM device and need ARM-compatible drivers.
Let them know that there are many users with this issue, and that it is a serious issue.
Network Scanning (If Available):
Some printers offer network scanning capabilities independent of the Windows drivers. Explore if your TR8620 has this feature.
You might be able to scan directly to a network folder or email address, bypassing the need for Windows drivers.
Scan to a USB Drive:
Some printers allow scanning directly to a USB drive. If your TR8620 has this feature, it can be a workable, though inconvienent, workaround.
Third-Party Scanning Software:
There may be third-party scanning software that offers better compatibility with ARM-based systems. Research scanning applications that are known to work well with Windows on ARM. However, driver issues can still cause problems.
Virtual Machine (Limited Usefulness):
In theory, you could try running a virtual machine with an x86/x64 version of Windows. However, this is likely to be very slow and complex on an ARM-based system, and would still require the drivers to function within the VM. Therefore, this is not a recommended path.
Current Reality
Unfortunately, at this time, the most reliable solution for printing with your TR8620 on your Snapdragon X Elite is likely to be using the USB cable.
Scanning functionality is very limited, and until Cannon releases the correct drivers, will remain so.
Future Outlook
As Windows on ARM becomes more prevalent, manufacturers will be forced to prioritize ARM driver development.
However, this process will take time.
I hope this information is helpful.
