How to Fax From a Computer

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and some versions of Windows Vista include an application called Windows Fax and Scan. This program allows users to send and receive faxes right from their computers.

What you’ll need:

• A computer that operates Windows Fax and Scan
• A landline
• A fax modem (some computers include an internal fax modem, or you can purchase an external modem instead)
• A physical phone cord

As you can see, computers that use Windows Fax and Scan must be connected to an external phone line — just like a traditional fax machine.

You could connect your office phone to your computer to send faxes. The downside is that you’ll tie up your phone line when sending faxes, and you won’t receive faxes when the phone line isn’t plugged in. You could also buy a dedicated phone line for faxing, adding a monthly expense.

Once the fax modem is installed based on the manufacturer’s instructions, connect the fax modem to the landline with the phone cord.

Then, you can begin the setup process.

1. Open the Windows Fax and Scan application.

2. Click Tools and select Fax Accounts.

3. Click Add to install the fax modem.

4. Choose Automatic answering to receive faxes anytime.

While Windows Fax and Scan comes included with many versions of Windows, it still requires external hardware, like a modem and a phone line.rnrnWith an online fax service like eFax, you can start faxing from your Windows computer right now, with no extra hardware and no dedicated phone line.rnrnHere are the three primary options for how to fax from a Windows computer with eFax.

1. Open the Windows Fax and Scan application.

2. Click New Fax at the top of the window.

3. Add the recipient’s fax number in the To field.

4. Add the cover page you’d like to include. Windows Fax and Scan includes four templates, or you can create your own cover page.

5. Attach the documents you’d like to fax.

6. Click Send.

eFax Messenger is a desktop fax application for Windows 10. It lets you send faxes, sign documents, view received faxes, and add notes to your faxes in one simple app.

To get started,  download eFax Messenger to your computer that operates Windows 10.

1. Open eFax Messenger.

2. Select New Fax. This will open the Create window.

3. Fill in recipient’s information in the To field, or choose a contact from your Address Book.

4. Check Send Copy to Me if you want to receive a copy of the transmission.

5. Enter the Subject of the fax and the Attention name.

6. Click the Add New Page (+) button in the sidebar to add pages and documents to your fax. You can add a blank page, cover page, or import a file from your computer.

7. Click Attach file and select the file to upload.

8. Once you’re finished, click Send Fax.

Print to Fax is another simple way to send faxes with Windows. This software works with eFax Messenger to make faxing from a computer even easier.

With this tool, you can fax from within Google Drive, Microsoft Word, or a PDF viewer, without manually opening a second application. Start your fax as soon as you finish writing it!

1. Open the document you want to fax. You can use Print to Fax in most programs that have a “Print” button, like Microsoft Word, a PDF viewer, Google Docs, or Google Drive.

2. Click “Print.”

3. Instead of selecting a printer, select “eFax Messenger,” and click “Print.”

4. The eFax Messenger application will open automatically and ask you to sign into your eFax account if it’s your first time opening it. But after that, you’ll remain logged in.

5. Your document will be attached to the new fax.

6. Fill out the cover sheet.

7. Choose a recipient from your address book or type in their fax number.

8. Hit Send!