Set up your computer to send and receive faxes

With Windows Fax and Scan you can send and receive faxes, fax or e‑mail scanned documents, and forward faxes as e‑mail attachments from your computer.

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To send and receive faxes using a modem

Before you begin, make sure that you've attached an analog phone line to your computer. You can't use a digital phone line to send or receive faxes.

If your computer has a built-in fax modem, Windows will automatically detect it during the setup process. You can connect to one local fax modem only, although you can connect to multiple fax servers or devices on a network. If you're not sure whether your computer has a built-in fax modem, check the hardware information that came with your computer. If you have an external fax modem, follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching it to your computer. Make sure that the modem is turned on before taking these steps.

Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Fax and Scan.
To use Fax view, at the bottom of the left pane, click Fax.
If you're connecting to a fax device for the first time, click New Fax on the toolbar, and then, in the Fax Setup Wizard, follow the instructions for connecting to a fax modem.
– or –
If you've already connected to one or more fax servers or devices on a network and want to connect to a modem, click Tools, click Fax Accounts, and then click Add. In the Fax Setup Wizard, complete the steps for connecting to a fax modem.

Note

To set up your computer to send faxes only, click I'll choose later; I want to create a fax now in the Fax Setup Wizard. Keep in mind that by choosing this option, you will be able to send faxes but you will not be able to receive them. For information on setting up your computer to receive faxes, see Receive a fax.

To send and receive faxes using a server

Before you begin, make sure that your computer is connected to the network. Also, make sure that you know the network address of the fax server (for example, \\mycompanyfaxserver) and that you have permission to connect to it. To obtain permission or to obtain the fax server address, contact a system administrator.

Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Fax and Scan.
To use Fax view, at the bottom of the left pane, click Fax.
Click Tools, and then click Fax Accounts.
Click Add, and then, in the Fax Setup Wizard, click Connect to a fax server on my network and follow the instructions for connecting to a fax server.

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Applies to these editions of Windows Vista:

See also

Set up your computer to send and receive faxes

To send and receive faxes using a modem

Note

To send and receive faxes using a server