How to Send a Fax Without a Fax Machine in Windows XP

Replace your old fax machine with the fax services built into Windows XP.

Windows XP includes a program called “Windows Fax Services” that you can use to send faxes without having a physical fax machine. This utility uses your computer’s modem to send faxes. You will need a scanner to digitize the documents that you want to fax, but no other hardware or software is required. Since you can also receive faxes through the Windows Fax Services application, you can toss your old fax machine entirely or donate it to your favorite charity.

Things You'll Need

• Scanner

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button in the lower left corner of your desktop. Click "Control Panel" and select "Add or Remove Programs." Click "Add/Remove Windows Components." Select "Fax Services" and click "Next." The Windows Component Wizard will set up fax services on your computer.

2. Open the “Start” menu and click "All Programs," "Accessories" and then "Communications." Select "Fax" and click "Fax Console." Select "Tools" and "Configure Fax." Click "Next."

3. Enter your name or business name and fax number in the fields provided on the “Sender Information” screen. In the "Select Device for Sending or Receiving Faxes" screen, select the modem that you want to use to send your faxes from the drop-down menu. Check "Enable Send." Also, check "Enable Receive" if you would like to receive faxes in Windows. Check "Manual answer" or "Automatically Answer After" and set the number of rings. Click "Next."

4. Enter your name and fax number in the "Transmitting Subscriber Identification" screen. If your name and number won't fit in these fields, you can choose to enter your name or fax number manually. Click "Next" to exit the Fax Configuration Wizard.

5. Select "Fax Printer Configuration" from the Tools menu. Give your fax printer a simple name such as "Fax." Click on the "Devices" tab and ensure that your modem is listed under the "Device Name" heading. Click "OK."

6. Scan the document that you want to fax. Open the image in any program capable of printing images. Click "Print" and then select the Printer options. Select "Fax" from the list of printers. Click "Print." This will automatically open the Send Fax Wizard. Click "Next."

7. Input the name of the recipient and the recipient's fax number in the next screen. Click "Next." Set up a cover page if you wish. Click "Next." Specify when you want to send the fax and select the fax priority. Click "Next" and then click "Finish."

References

• Microsoft: Set Up Your Computer to Send and Receive Faxes
• Andy Rathbone: Using Windows XP’s Hidden Fax Program
• Microsoft: How to Enable and Configure the Fax Service in Windows XP