By Alexey Spasskiy ยท Published January 26, 2026 ยท Updated September 18, 2026 ยท 12 min read
Quick Answer: Windows Fax and Scan is still the only fax tool built into Windows 11, and you must install it manually as an optional feature. It also needs a physical fax modem and an analog phone line โ it cannot fax over the internet. If you don't have that hardware, install mFax for Windows from the Microsoft Store instead: it's a native Windows 10/11 app that faxes over your existing internet connection. Jump to the walkthrough.
Windows Fax and Scan has been part of Windows since Vista. It survived Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and now Windows 11 โ but Microsoft no longer installs it by default. After Windows 11 version 22H2, you have to add it yourself.
This guide covers the whole process: how to install Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11, what hardware you need, how to set up a fax account, how to send and receive faxes, and how to fix the most common issues. It also covers the modern route โ a native Windows fax app that needs no modem and no phone line at all.
Hardware Required
Windows Fax and Scan is not an internet fax application. It requires a fax modem connected to an analog telephone wall jack. A broadband modem, Wi-Fi router, or cable connection will not work. If that describes your PC, use a native fax app such as mFax for Windows instead.
Two Ways to Fax from Windows 11
There are two genuinely different answers to "how do I fax from this PC", and which one you want depends entirely on whether you own a fax modem.
| Windows Fax and Scan | mFax for Windows | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Optional Windows feature โ built in, but you install it manually | Native app from the Microsoft Store |
| How it sends | Dial-up fax modem on an analog phone line | Over your existing internet connection |
| Hardware needed | Fax modem + landline | None |
| ARM64 / Snapdragon PCs | Not available | Supported (x64 and ARM64) |
| Time to first fax | 30โ60 minutes of setup | Install, drag the file in, send |
If you already have a modem plugged into a wall jack, the rest of this guide walks you through Windows Fax and Scan end to end. If you don't โ which is the case on most modern laptops โ skip to mFax for Windows.
What Is Windows Fax and Scan?
Windows Fax and Scan is a legacy application built into Windows that combines two functions:
- Faxing โ send and receive faxes through a connected fax modem and phone line
- Scanning โ scan documents via any TWAIN- or WIA-compatible scanner
The two functions are independent. You can use the scanning feature without a fax modem. But to send or receive faxes, you need the hardware.
The app organizes faxes into familiar folders โ Inbox, Drafts, Outbox, and Sent Items โ similar to an email client. Received faxes are stored as TIFF files. It is not a cloud service; everything stays on your PC.
Who Still Uses Windows Fax and Scan?
Healthcare offices, law firms, insurance agencies, and government contractors who already have an analog phone line and a fax modem installed. If you are faxing for the first time and don't have that hardware, a native app like mFax for Windows โ or any online fax service โ is almost always easier.
What You Need Before You Start
Before installing or configuring Windows Fax and Scan, confirm you have the following:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 x64 | Must be an x64 (64-bit) installation โ not ARM64. Snapdragon-based laptops are excluded. |
| Fax modem | Internal PCIe modem, external USB modem, or multifunction printer with fax support |
| Analog phone line | A physical landline connected to the modem via a telephone cord |
| Windows 11 edition | Available on Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education (x64 builds) |
On a Snapdragon or other ARM-based PC? Windows Fax and Scan simply isn't available to install, so none of the steps below apply. mFax for Windows ships x64 and ARM64 builds, so it runs on those machines.
Do you have a VoIP line? If your phone service runs over the internet (via a router or Analog Telephone Adapter), faxing will be unreliable. VoIP lines drop fax signals frequently. Consider using an online fax service instead.
How to Install Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11
Windows Fax and Scan is not in the Start menu by default. Use one of the three methods below.
Method 1: Settings (Recommended)
Open Optional Features
Go to Start โ Settings โ System โ Optional Features. On some Windows 11 builds, the path is Settings โ Apps โ Optional Features.
Search for the feature
Click "View features" (next to "Add an optional feature"). In the search box, type fax. Check the box next to "Windows Fax and Scan".
Install
Click Next, then Install. An active internet connection is required. Installation takes a few minutes.
Launch the app
Search for "Windows Fax and Scan" in the Start menu. Pin it to your taskbar for quick access.
Method 2: Turn Windows Features On or Off (Control Panel)
Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. In the Windows Features dialog, scroll down to find Windows Fax and Scan, check the box, and click OK. Restart if prompted.
Method 3: Command Prompt or PowerShell (Admin)
If the feature does not appear in Optional Features โ common on Windows 11 Home or newer builds โ use the command line:
DISM (Command Prompt, run as Administrator):
Dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0
PowerShell (run as Administrator):
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0"
If the command returns an error about the capability name, run this first to find the exact name on your system:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -Like "*Fax*"
Windows 11 Home
All three methods work on Windows 11 Home (x64). The command-line method is the most reliable if the feature is not visible in Settings.
How to Set Up a Fax Account
Once the app is installed and your fax modem is connected to the phone line:
Connect the fax modem
Plug your USB fax modem into the PC. Connect a telephone cord from the modem's LINE port to your analog wall jack. Windows should detect and install the modem automatically. Verify it appears in Device Manager under Modems.
Open Windows Fax and Scan
Launch the app. In the lower-left corner, make sure Fax is selected (not Scan).
Add a fax account
Go to Tools โ Fax Accounts โ Add. Select "Connect to a fax modem", give the account a name, and click Next.
Configure the fax device
Go to Tools โ Fax Settings. On the General tab, click "Select fax device" and choose your modem. Check "Allow the device to send faxes". For receiving, also check "Allow the device to receive fax calls" and choose Automatic answering.
Set your TSID and CSID
Still in Fax Settings, enter your TSID (Transmitting Station Identifier) and CSID (Called Subscriber Identifier) โ typically your fax number or company name. These identify your machine to recipients.
How to Send a Fax with Windows Fax and Scan
Click 'New Fax'
In Windows Fax and Scan, click New Fax in the toolbar.
Enter the recipient's fax number
Type the fax number in the To: field. Use the full number including area code. For international faxes, see our complete guide to international faxing.
Add a cover page (optional)
Select a cover page from the drop-down, or go to Tools โ Cover Pages to create a custom one. See our fax cover sheet templates for reference.
Write the message or attach a file
Type a message in the body area. To attach a document, click the Attach button and browse to your file. Supported formats: .pdf, .doc, .xls, .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif. All files are converted to TIFF for transmission.
Send
Click Send. The fax appears in the Outbox while it is transmitting, then moves to Sent Items once delivered. Keep the computer on and the modem connected throughout the process.
Delivery Confirmation
Windows Fax and Scan logs each sent fax in the Sent Items folder with a transmission report. Right-click any item and select "View report" to see the result.
How to Receive Faxes
Automatic Reception
- In Tools โ Fax Settings, check "Allow the device to receive fax calls"
- Select "Automatically answer after" and enter the number of rings (2โ4 is common)
- Click OK
- Your PC must remain powered on and the modem must stay connected to receive incoming faxes
Received faxes appear in the Inbox folder. They are stored as TIFF files. Right-click any received fax to Print, Save As, or Forward as Email.
Manual Reception
When you expect an incoming fax, go to Tools โ "Receive a Fax Now". The app picks up the line and receives the transmission. Use this mode if the phone line is shared between fax and voice calls.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Windows Fax and Scan" not in Optional Features | Newer Windows 11 build; feature hidden | Use the DISM command above |
| Fax modem not detected | Drivers not installed or incompatible | Check Device Manager; update or reinstall modem drivers |
| Fax fails to send | Phone line not connected or inactive | Verify the cord runs from modem LINE port to the wall jack; test with a phone |
| "No fax device detected" error | Fax account misconfigured | Go to Tools โ Fax Accounts and re-add the account |
| App crashes on launch | Corrupted install | Run as administrator; uninstall and reinstall the feature |
| Fax service not running | Windows service stopped | Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Fax, right-click โ Start |
| Scanner not detected | WIA service stopped | In Services, restart Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) |
| Fax account disappears after update | Windows Update resets the account | Re-add via Tools โ Fax Accounts โ Add |
Run as Administrator
Many Windows Fax and Scan issues are resolved by right-clicking the app icon and choosing "Run as administrator". This applies especially on Windows 11 Home.
Limitations of Windows Fax and Scan
Windows Fax and Scan is a useful tool if you already have the hardware โ but it has real constraints:
- Requires a fax modem and analog phone line โ not practical for most modern laptops or home offices
- Cannot fax over the internet โ broadband, Wi-Fi, and VoIP connections will not work
- Not available on ARM64 โ Snapdragon and other ARM-based Windows 11 devices are excluded
- PC must stay on โ the computer must remain running to automatically receive incoming faxes
- No mobile access โ no app, no cloud sync, no remote access
- TIFF output only โ received faxes save as TIFF, not PDF
- No HIPAA compliance documentation โ if you need a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), Windows Fax and Scan cannot provide one; see HIPAA-compliant fax services
- Legacy software โ no major updates in years; Microsoft has gradually been phasing it out
Fax from Windows 11 Without a Modem: mFax for Windows
If you don't have a fax modem or phone line โ or you just want something less complicated โ you no longer have to fall back on a browser tab. mFax for Windows is a native Windows app, published on the Microsoft Store as mFax - Send and Receive FAX, and it turns the PC itself into the fax machine. No modem, no landline, no printer driver.
It installs on Windows 10 (build 17763.0 or higher) and Windows 11, in both x64 and ARM64 builds โ so it works on the Snapdragon-based machines where Windows Fax and Scan cannot be installed at all; if that is your PC, our ARM Windows guide covers the case directly. The download is about 46 MB and the app is free to install; sending faxes and getting your own fax number require a paid subscription. The full mFax for Windows guide has the complete feature and limit list.
How to Send a Fax with mFax for Windows
Install it from the Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store and search for "mFax", or go straight to the listing at apps.microsoft.com/detail/9p78gx5h9prv and click Get. Nothing else to configure โ no drivers, no Device Manager, no fax account wizard.
Sign in (or start as a guest)
Sign-in is email-only โ there is no password to invent. You can also start as a guest and create the account later. The same account works on iPhone, Android and the web, and your fax history syncs across all of them.
Drag your document into the app
Drag and drop the file onto the window, paste an image straight from the clipboard, or pick it from disk. PDF, Word (.doc/.docx), Excel, PowerPoint, OpenDocument, RTF, TXT, CSV, HTML and images (PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, WebP) are all converted to fax-ready pages automatically. Limits are 60 pages per fax and 20 MB per file.
Fix up the pages and add a cover sheet (optional)
Reorder, rotate, duplicate, delete or extract pages before it goes out. You can draw on a page in seven ink colors, add text captions, and sign with a mouse, trackpad or pen, then drop the signature where it belongs โ with full undo/redo. The app also generates a cover page with your name, contact details and a message, markable Urgent, Confidential, For Review, Please Reply or Please Comment.
Type the number and send
Enter the fax number โ there's a country picker with live formatting for international numbers โ and hit send. You get live progress with a time estimate instead of a modem screeching in the background, and a delivery receipt you can download as a shareable PDF. If it fails, the app says why in plain language (busy line, no answer, no fax signal, number out of service) rather than showing an error code.
Receiving Faxes
You can get your own fax number inside the app โ pick the country, then the state or area, and filter the available numbers by the digits you want. Incoming faxes land in the app and open in a proper desktop PDF viewer with zoom, fit-width/fit-page, rotation and page thumbnails โ not as TIFF files you have to convert before you can read them. Every transmission is tracked, so there is a record of what went out and what came in.
Side by Side
| Windows Fax and Scan | mFax for Windows | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware required | Fax modem + phone line | None |
| Works over internet | No | Yes |
| Runs on ARM64 (Snapdragon) | No | Yes |
| Received fax format | TIFF files | Opens in the app's PDF viewer |
| Mobile access | No | Yes โ same account on iPhone & Android |
| HIPAA compliance | No | Yes (mFax Business) |
| Virtual fax number | No | Yes |
| Setup time | 30โ60 minutes | Install and send |
| Cost | Free (hardware not included) | Free to install; subscription to send |
Prefer not to install anything? The same account works in a browser โ open mFax in your browser, upload your PDF, enter the number and send.
For business teams, mFax Business adds virtual fax numbers, team accounts, HIPAA compliance, and delivery audit logs โ starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). It's fully customizable: you build your own plan by choosing the exact seats (1โ35) and pages (200โ5,000) you need with a live calculator and pay only for what you use โ no rigid fixed tiers like most competitors. Inside the Windows app you can create the organization, invite colleagues by email, and share one workspace, number and history.
No drivers to install. No phone line to manage. No modem to update.
Get mFax for Windows
Free on the Microsoft Store, no modem and no phone line โ install it, drag your document in, type the fax number, send. Get mFax for Windows โ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows Fax and Scan still work in 2026? Yes, it still functions on Windows 11 x64 systems that have it installed. Microsoft has not removed it, but it is no longer installed by default. Support may end in a future Windows version. It remains the only fax tool built into Windows โ anything more modern is an app you install.
Is there a fax app for Windows 11? Yes. mFax for Windows โ listed on the Microsoft Store as mFax - Send and Receive FAX โ is a native Windows 10/11 app that sends and receives faxes over the internet. It is free to install (sending faxes and getting your own fax number need a paid subscription), ships x64 and ARM64 builds, and replaces the modem-and-landline requirement entirely. See Best Fax Software for Windows 10/11 for how it compares to other options.
Can Windows Fax and Scan send a fax over Wi-Fi? No. It only talks to a fax modem on an analog phone line โ Wi-Fi, Ethernet and broadband connections are invisible to it. To fax over the connection you already have, use a native app like mFax for Windows or a browser-based online fax service.
Can I use Windows Fax and Scan with a multifunction printer? Yes, if your all-in-one printer includes a fax modem and a telephone port. Connect a phone line to the printer's LINE port, install the manufacturer's drivers, and the printer will appear as a fax device in Windows Fax and Scan.
Does it work with VoIP? Unreliably. VoIP lines transmit voice as digital packets, which disrupts fax signal tones. You can try connecting your fax modem through an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), but success varies. A dedicated fax service is more reliable over internet connections. For more, see our guide on VoIP fax problems.
Can Windows Fax and Scan send to email? Not directly. It cannot convert a received fax and deliver it to your inbox. However, you can forward a received fax as an email attachment by right-clicking it in the Inbox and selecting Forward as Email. For automatic fax-to-email delivery, use a service that supports fax to email routing.
Summary
Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11 works โ but it is a legacy tool built for hardware that most people no longer have, and it is still the only fax feature Microsoft ships in the box. If you have a fax modem and an analog phone line, the steps above will get you up and running.
If you don't โ or you're on an ARM-based PC where the feature isn't even offered โ install mFax for Windows from the Microsoft Store, drag your document in, type the fax number, and send. Or open mFax in your browser if you'd rather not install anything.
For related guides, see:
- How to Fax from Windows 11 โ every method compared, built-in and online
- Best Fax Software for Windows 10/11 โ the top Windows fax apps reviewed
- How to Fax from Your Computer โ all methods, with and without hardware
- How to Fax Without a Phone Line โ internet-based faxing options
- Best Online Fax Services โ comparison of top services for 2026