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Windows Fax and Scan is not a separate, general-purpose download for Windows 11. First search Start for “Windows Fax and Scan.” If it is missing, you can check Settings > System > Optional features, but Microsoft does not guarantee that the app is available there on every Windows 11 PC. Microsoft says the app is unavailable on Windows 11 Arm-based PCs. If you need to scan documents, Microsoft’s documented alternative is the Windows Scan app from Microsoft Store.
Can you download Windows Fax and Scan for Windows 11?
Microsoft’s scanner support instructions do not offer a standalone installer for Windows Fax and Scan. Avoid third-party sites that claim to provide a downloadable copy of the app; use Windows’ built-in availability check instead. Microsoft’s support page documents Windows Scan as the app to use for scanning: Install and use a scanner in Windows.
Check whether Windows Fax and Scan is already available
- Open Start and search for Windows Fax and Scan. If it appears, select it to open the app.
- If it does not appear, open Settings > System > Optional features and search the available feature list for a relevant entry.
- If you do not find it, do not assume it can be installed on your PC. Microsoft Q&A community guidance suggests checking Optional features, but this is not a guarantee across Windows 11 editions, builds, or device types: Microsoft Q&A.
What to use if you only need to scan
Windows Scan is a separate app from Windows Fax and Scan. Microsoft recommends installing Windows Scan from Microsoft Store if it is not already on your PC. Its scanning instructions are for Windows Scan; they do not establish that it provides a fax workflow.
- Connect the scanner and turn it on. For a USB scanner, connect its cable to the PC.
- Search Start for Windows Scan. If it is not listed, install Windows Scan from Microsoft Store using Microsoft’s scanner setup instructions.
- Place the page on the flatbed or load it into the document feeder according to the scanner manufacturer’s instructions. In Windows Scan, select the scanner and source, choose an available file type, then scan. Microsoft lists JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and Bitmap as available file types.
- If you have not selected a different save location, look for the scan in your user account’s Pictures/Scans folder.
Add a scanner Windows does not detect
Installing a scanning app and getting Windows to recognize the scanner are separate steps. If Windows Scan cannot find the device, use the setup path for your connection type.
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USB scanner
Connect the scanner by USB and turn it on. If Windows does not add it automatically, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device.
Network scanner
Connect the scanner to your network, then open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device if Windows has not discovered it. If Windows still does not detect the hardware, check the scanner manufacturer’s official support and driver page.
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A multifunction printer may appear in Windows as a printer even when it has a scanner. Check its device or scanner settings to see whether Windows detects its scanning function before troubleshooting the app.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Windows 11 Arm: Windows Fax and Scan is unavailable
Microsoft states that “Windows Fax and Scan isn’t available” on Windows 11 Arm-based PCs. You can check your device under Settings > System > About. A standalone executable from a download site will not remove this compatibility limitation. For scanning, follow the Windows Scan and device setup steps above; scanner compatibility can also depend on the hardware and its manufacturer’s support.
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