Sending Faxes Without a Fax Machine in Windows XP

Windows XP has a feature called Windows Fax Services that will allow you to send faxes without a fax machine. All you need to utilize the Fax Services is a scanner to digitize the fax and a modem to send it over your telephone line. Using Windows Fax Services has many benefits, including reducing your use of paper and saving space on your desk. You can even set up Windows Fax Services to receive faxes on your computer. Although Windows Fax Services comes with Windows XP, you have to go through a few extra steps to install and configure the program.

To get started installing Windows Fax Services in Windows XP, click "Start" and then "Control Panel." Select "Add or Remove Programs." Select "Add/Remove Windows Components." Select "Fax Services" and then "Next." After Windows XP sets up the fax software, you'll need to configure it for your use. Click "Start," then select "All Programs." Click "Accessories," then "Communications," then "Fax." Select "Fax Console" from the list. Click "Tools," then "Configure Fax." Enter your name and fax number in the screen marked "Sender Information." Then select your modem in the screen marked "Select Device for Sending or Receiving Faxes." If you plan to send faxes with this modem, select "Enable Send." If you'd like to receive faxes with this modem as well, select "Enable Receive." Select "Manual answer" if you plan to answer each fax individually, or "Automatically answer after" and then choose the number of rings you would like Windows to wait before it answers the fax for you. Click "Next," then enter your fax information in the screen marked "Transmitting Subscriber." After you finish the Fax Configuration Wizard, select "Tools" from the menu. Give your virtual fax machine a simple name such as "Windows Fax."

Scan the document you'd like to send as a fax using Windows Fax Services in Windows XP. Save the fax as a file, then open the image in any image viewer or image processing program that can print a file. With the scan selected, open the program's print function. Go to the printer selection menu and select "Windows Fax" as your printer. Click "Print." The Send Fax Wizard will open automatically. Enter the name and fax number of the intended recipient of the fax. Click "Next." If you like, create a cover page in the next screen. Choose whether you'd like to send the fax now or schedule it to be sent later. Also, select the priority of the fax you're sending.Using these tips, you can scrap your old fax machine and save space on your desk, save paper and save time and energy on faxing all at the same time.

For more information about Windows XP, read Top Freeware for Windows XP and Top Windows XP Registry Cleaners.

Sources:

"Faxing in Windows XP," http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/crawford_02october21.mspx