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Windows Fax and Scan is still available in Windows 11, but it is no longer installed by default on newer installations, including Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Microsoft delivers it as a Feature on Demand called Print Fax Scan.
You can add it from Settings or install it with DISM if it does not appear in the Optional features list. The feature adds the WFS.exe application; it does not automatically install a scanner driver or provide an internet-based fax service.
Install Windows Fax and Scan from Settings
This is the simplest method on most current Windows 11 PCs. Windows needs an internet connection because Optional features are normally downloaded through Windows Update.
- Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Optional features.
- Beside Add an optional feature, select View features.
- Search for
fax. - Select the checkbox beside Windows Fax and Scan.
- Select Next, then select Add.
The button may say Install instead of Add on some Windows 11 builds. That is only a difference in the Settings interface.
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After the installation finishes, restart Windows if prompted. On some older Windows 11 builds, the page is located at Settings > Apps > Optional features rather than under System.
Open Optional features directly
Press Windows key + R, enter the following command, and select OK:
ms-settings:optionalfeaturesThis opens the Optional features page without navigating through Settings.
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If Windows Fax and Scan does not appear in the feature catalog, install its Feature on Demand using an elevated Command Prompt.
- Open Start and type Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes if User Account Control asks for permission.
- Run this command:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0/Online tells DISM to modify the currently running Windows installation. Because the command does not specify a /Source, Windows uses its configured servicing sources and may obtain the package from Windows Update.
Wait for the operation to reach 100 percent. A restart may be required before the application becomes available.
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Check the feature status
To list installed and available capabilities containing “Fax” or “Scan,” run:
DISM /Online /Get-Capabilities | findstr /i "Fax Scan"To query this particular capability, run:
DISM /Online /Get-CapabilityInfo /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0The capability name must be entered exactly as shown. Commonly copied names such as FaxScanClient~~~~0.0.1.0 and Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0 are not the current catalog name for this feature.
Open Windows Fax and Scan
Once installed, open Start, search for Windows Fax and Scan, and select the result.
You can also launch it from the Run dialog:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
wfs. - Press Enter.
The executable is normally located here:
C:WindowsSystem32WFS.exeIf that file is missing, Windows Fax and Scan was not installed successfully or Windows could not obtain its Feature on Demand payload.
Set up a scanner for Windows Fax and Scan
Installing the application does not install the hardware driver for your scanner. Connect and power on the scanner first, then check whether Windows detects it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device if the scanner is not listed.
- Follow the prompts supplied by Windows or the scanner manufacturer.
For some USB scanners, Windows installs a compatible driver automatically. Network scanners may require the manufacturer’s scanning software or driver, and the PC must be able to reach the scanner on the local network.
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After setup, open Windows Fax and Scan, select New Scan, choose the detected scanner, adjust the paper source and scan settings, and select Scan.
Why faxing may not work after installation
Scanning and faxing are separate functions. A scanner can work correctly while the fax features remain unavailable.
Traditional Windows Fax and Scan faxing requires supported fax hardware or a configured fax service. A Wi-Fi router, broadband connection, or ordinary internet connection does not provide the analog fax modem required by the traditional workflow. Depending on the setup, you may need a physical fax modem and suitable telephone connection, or a separate online fax provider.
Windows Scan is also a different application. It is a Microsoft Store scanning app and does not replace the fax functionality of Windows Fax and Scan.
Fix problems installing Windows Fax and Scan
The feature is not listed in Settings
Try these checks in order:
- Open
ms-settings:optionalfeaturesto test the direct Settings page. - Check both Settings > System > Optional features and Settings > Apps > Optional features.
- Install pending Windows updates and restart the PC.
- Run the DISM installation command using the exact capability name.
On a work or school computer, an administrator may have hidden Optional features or restricted the sources Windows can use. The relevant Group Policy setting is User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Programs > Hide “Windows Features”. Mobile-device-management policies can also restrict or hide Settings pages.
DISM returns error 0x800F081F
This error means that Windows could not find the required source files. First repair the component store from an elevated Command Prompt:
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DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthWhen that command completes, run System File Checker:
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Sfc.exe /ScannowRestart Windows and retry the capability installation.
If the computer uses WSUS, a corporate proxy, or another managed update service, the servicing server may not provide Features on Demand content. An administrator may need to permit Windows Update access or configure an alternate Features on Demand source.
DISM says the capability is unknown
Check the spelling and punctuation of the capability name:
Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0Do not remove the periods or tildes, and do not substitute older names found in forum posts. If the name is correct but still unavailable, the installed Windows edition, build, servicing configuration, or update source may not expose the feature.
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The Optional features page is missing
The page may be under Settings > Apps on an older build. You can also test it with:
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ms-settings:optionalfeaturesIf the URI fails, check whether the PC is managed by an organization or whether a Settings page-visibility policy is hiding the page. Damaged Windows servicing components can also cause Optional features to disappear or fail to load.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Windows Fax and Scan installation facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature type | Windows Feature on Demand |
| Capability name | Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0 |
| Application executable | C:WindowsSystem32WFS.exe |
| Run command | wfs |
| Download source | Usually Windows Update or an organization-approved servicing source |
| Scanner driver included? | No. Scanner hardware may need its own Windows or manufacturer driver. |
| Internet fax included? | No. Faxing needs supported hardware, a fax service, or an online fax provider. |
FAQ
Was Windows Fax and Scan removed from Windows 11?
No. It remains available as a Feature on Demand, although it is not installed by default on newer Windows 11 installations. Add it through Optional features or install it with the DISM capability command.
What is the DISM command for Windows Fax and Scan?
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0.
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Where is Windows Fax and Scan installed?
The main executable is normally C:WindowsSystem32WFS.exe. You can launch it by searching Start for Windows Fax and Scan or by entering wfs in the Run dialog.
Why can I scan but not send a fax?
Scanning only requires a compatible scanner and driver. Traditional faxing requires supported fax hardware or a configured fax service; an ordinary internet or Wi-Fi connection does not provide a fax modem.
Is Windows Scan the same as Windows Fax and Scan?
No. Windows Scan is a separate scanning application. It does not provide the fax functionality included in Windows Fax and Scan.
The Bottom Line
Install the feature from Settings > System > Optional features > View features and search for Windows Fax and Scan. If it is missing, use an elevated Command Prompt with DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0. Remember that the app, scanner driver, and fax service are separate parts of the setup.
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