Windows 8 Bible

What You Need for Fax

To use Fax, your computer must have either a fax modem card that’s connected to an analog phone line or access to a fax server on the same local network. A fax server is a program on a computer that has a fax modem installed and allows other computers in the network to send and receive faxes through that device. To use a fax server, you need to know the name of that server. If you didn’t set up the fax server, ask the person who did for that name.

Note

If you have a multi-function printer that includes fax capabilities, you’ll likely use the printer, not Windows or your computer, to send and receive faxes. See the manual that came with your printer for instructions. The information presented in this chapter may not apply.

Opening Windows Fax and Scan

Windows Fax and Scan is the program that comes with Windows 8 for faxing and scanning. To open that program, display the Charms bar, click Search, and type fax. Or, if you are at the Start screen, type fax. Click Windows Fax and Scan.

Figure 35.1 shows how the program looks when you first open it.

FIGURE 35.1 Windows Fax and Scan

Creating a fax account

To send and receive faxes from your computer, you need a fax account. You need to set up the account only once, not each time you want to send and receive faxes. To create a fax account, open Windows Fax and Scan as described in the previous section. Make ...