How to Install and Use Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 10 and 11

By / Windows 10, Windows 11 / 9 minutes of reading

If your scanner came with clunky software that asks you to create an account just to scan a letter, you’ll be glad to know Windows has a free built-in alternative. It’s called Windows Fax and Scan, and it works quietly with almost any scanner or multifunction printer — no sign-ups, no subscriptions, no fuss.

This guide shows you how to install Windows Fax and Scan on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, how to scan a document with it, how to save your scan as a PDF, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.

Table Of Contents
  1. What Is Windows Fax and Scan?
  2. How to Install Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 10
  3. How to Install Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 11
  4. How to Use Windows Fax and Scan to Scan a Document
  5. How to Save a Scan as PDF Using Windows Fax and Scan
  6. Windows Fax and Scan Troubleshooting
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Summary
  9. Install Windows 11 On Unsupported Hardware

What Is Windows Fax and Scan?

Windows Fax and Scan is a free scanning and faxing application built into Windows. It was introduced back in Windows Vista and has been part of Windows ever since — though it is no longer installed by default. Instead, it’s available as an optional feature that you can add to your PC in a couple of minutes.

Despite its age, it still works reliably with modern scanners and all-in-one printers. It lets you:

  • Scan documents and photos directly to your computer
  • Choose your scan resolution, colour mode, and file format (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP)
  • Preview a scan before saving
  • Email scanned files directly from within the app
  • Send and receive faxes (if you have a fax modem connected to a phone line)

Windows Fax and Scan vs the Windows Scan App

Windows also has a newer, more modern scanning app simply called Windows Scan (available free from the Microsoft Store). Here’s a quick comparison so you know which one to use:

FeatureWindows Fax and ScanWindows Scan App
Included in WindowsOptional featureDownload from Microsoft Store
InterfaceClassic desktop appModern, minimal
Save as PDFVia workaround (see below)Yes, natively
Email scans directlyYes, built-inNo
Fax supportYesNo
Scanner previewYesYes
Best forScanning + emailing, fax usersQuick, simple scans

For most beginners who just want to scan a document, either app does the job. Windows Fax and Scan is the better choice if you need to email scans from the app itself or if you use a fax modem.

How to Install Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 10

Step 1: Open Optional Features

Click the Start button and type manage optional features into the search bar.
Click Manage Optional Features (System Settings) when it appears in the results.

Searching Windows 10 for Manage Optional Features.
Search for Manage Optional Features.

Step 2: Add Windows Fax and Scan

On the Optional Features page you’ll see a list of programs already installed on your PC. To add Windows Fax and Scan, click the Add a Feature button at the top of the page.

Scroll down the list of available features until you find Windows Fax and Scan. Tick it and then click the Add button.

Windows will download and install the app — this can take a minute or two. You may be asked to restart your PC to finish the installation.

Add a feautre button is marked to install Fax and Scan on Windows 10.
Click the Add a Feature button.
Windows Fax and Scan selected from features list. The Add button is also marked.
Select Windows Fax and Scan and then click the Add button.

Step 3: Find It in the Start Menu

After installation (and restarting if prompted), you’ll find Windows Fax and Scan inside the Windows Accessories folder in your Start menu.

You can also search for it by name.

If you plan to use it regularly, it’s worth right-clicking the icon and pinning it to your Start menu or taskbar so it’s easy to find.

Windows Fax and Scan indicated on Windows 10 Start menu.
Pin it to Start to make it easily accessible.

How to Install Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 11

In Windows 11, Windows Fax and Scan is an optional feature, just like in Windows 10. The steps to add it are slightly different depending on your version of Windows 11.

Method 1: Through Settings (Most Windows 11 PCs)

Click the Start button and type optional features. Click the System Component Settings result (or Optional Features, depending on your version).

On the Optional Features page, click View Features (or Add an optional feature depending on your Windows 11 version).

Searching for Optional Features in Windows 11 to install Fax and Scan.
Click on Optional Features (or System Component Settings).
View Features button indicated.
View Features button.

A search box and a list of available features will appear.

Either scroll down to find Windows Fax and Scan, or type “fax” in the search box to find it quickly.

Select it, click Next, and then click Add on the confirmation screen.

Windows Fax and Scan selected and Next button indicated.
Select Fax and Scan and click Next.

A progress bar will show the download and installation. It can take a few minutes. You may need to restart your PC before the app shows up.
Once installed, find it by searching for “Fax and Scan” in the Start menu.

Method 2: Using PowerShell (If It Doesn’t Appear in Optional Features)

Some Windows 11 configurations — particularly on newer builds or certain editions — don’t show Windows Fax and Scan in the Optional Features list. If that’s the case, you can install it using PowerShell:

  1. Click the Start button and search for PowerShell
  2. Right-click PowerShell and select Run as administrator
  3. Type (or copy and paste) the following command and press Enter:

Dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0

Windows will download and install the feature. It can take some time to complete, you’ll see see a percentage progress bar. It may stall, mine stopped at 37% for quite a while. Just leave it running and it’ll get going again.

Restart your PC when it finishes.

Powershell command entered and download progress bar.
Progress may be slow but it’ll get there.

How to Use Windows Fax and Scan to Scan a Document

Once Windows Fax and Scan is installed and your scanner is plugged in and switched on, here’s how to scan a document:

  1. Open Windows Fax and Scan from the Start menu
  2. Click New Scan in the toolbar at the top left. Be careful because New Scan is right next to New Fax. Make sure that you click on New Scan.
  3. A New Scan window will open. If you have more than one scanner connected, click Change to select the right one
  4. Choose a Profile — either Documents for text-heavy pages or Photo for images
  5. Set your colour format (Colour, Greyscale, or Black and white) and file type (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or BMP)
  6. For the resolution, 300 DPI is a good setting for most documents. Use 600 DPI for small text or images you might want to zoom in on
  7. Click Preview to check how the scan will look
  8. Click Scan when you’re ready

Your scan will appear in the main Windows Fax and Scan window and will automatically be saved to your Scanned Documents folder, which you can find in your Documents library.

new Scan button indicated in Windows Fax and Scan.
Click the New Scan button.
Scan options window showing Change scanner, Profile for Documents or Photos, Colour format, Resolution, Preview and Scan
Select your options depending on the type of scan you’re making.

How to Email a Scan Directly From the App

One handy feature that the newer Windows Scan app doesn’t have is the ability to email a scanned file from directly within the app. In order to make use of this feature you’ll need to be using an email client app (such as Outlook, Thunderbird or eM Client), rather than webmail.

  1. After scanning, select the scan in the main list
  2. Click the Forward as E-mail button in the toolbar
  3. Your default email app will open with the scan already attached

How to Save a Scan as PDF Using Windows Fax and Scan

One limitation of Windows Fax and Scan is that it doesn’t have a built-in option to save scans as PDF files — it can only save as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or BMP. However, there is a simple workaround using a free tool that’s already built into Windows called Microsoft Print to PDF.

Although it sounds like you’re going to print the file, it actually saves it. Here’s how to scan to PDF:

  1. Scan your document as normal using Windows Fax and Scan
  2. Once the scan appears in the main list, select it
  3. Click File in the top menu, then click Print (or press Ctrl + P)
  4. In the printer list, select Microsoft Print to PDF
  5. Click Print
  6. Choose where to save the file, give it a name, and click Save

Your scanned document is now saved as a PDF file. If you scan a lot of documents to PDF, the newer Windows Scan app (free from the Microsoft Store) saves scans directly as PDFs without the extra steps.

File and Print option indicated.
Click File and then Print.
Microsoft Print to PDF option in Fax and Scan.
Under Printer, select Microsoft Print to PDF.

Windows Fax and Scan Troubleshooting

Although Fax and Scan is fairly robust and generally just works there are a few issues that you might run into.

Windows Fax and Scan Not Showing in Optional Features on Windows 11

This is one of the most common questions about this app. On some Windows 11 builds — especially after the 24H2 update — the feature may not appear in the standard Optional Features list. Try the PowerShell method described in the installation section above, which works even when the Settings route doesn’t.

Scanner Not Being Detected

If Windows Fax and Scan opens but doesn’t find your scanner:

  • Make sure the scanner is switched on and properly connected (by USB cable or over your Wi-Fi network)
  • Check that your scanner’s drivers are installed. Visit the manufacturer’s website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.) and download the latest drivers for your model. Windows often installs just the printer drivers for multi function devices, so double check that you’ve got the full manufacturers drivers.
  • Try clicking Change in the New Scan window to manually select your scanner from the list

“Couldn’t Add” Error When Installing

If you see a “couldn’t add” error when trying to install Windows Fax and Scan through Optional Features, try the PowerShell method in Method 2 above. Make sure you run PowerShell as an administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Windows Fax and Scan is a built-in application in Windows that offers a free and straightforward way to handle faxing and scanning tasks directly from your computer.

In my humble opinion, it’s better than many of the bundled software that generally comes with a new printer/scanner. It doesn’t require setting up of online accounts just to get it working. Once the printer/scanner drivers are installed, it’ll just work fine.

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Install Windows 11 On Unsupported Hardware

As Windows 10 comes to the end of its life Microsoft is obviously pushing you to upgrade to Windows 11. All well and good but what happens when your computer is unsupported by Windows 11? Buy a new one? Not everyone wants to do that.

In this step by step guide I’ll show you how you can easily install Windows 11 on to a Windows 10 PC that’s currently “unsupported”.

Click Here
How To Upgrade To Windows 11 On Unsupported Hardware.

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