Solved No Windows Fax and Scan

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

Recently upgraded Win 10x64 to Win11x64 on 9yr old PC. Working well except it doesn't appear to have the Windows Fax and Scan feature. Error message is 'Cannot find \System32.wfs.exe'. I have tried copying the missing file from a Win 10 system but that hasn't helped as it's the entire feature that is absent.

System is fully updated and Dism Restore Health has completed without issues. If I can't fix this I think I shall have to revert to Win 10.

RD Mercer · Mar 7, 2024

From your search bar, type in "Windows Tools" it will be in there.

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

It's not there. Does show on my win 11 laptop but not on the upgraded PC. Otherwise the win 11 upgrade seems fine

wiganken · Mar 7, 2024

Just to be clear - Did you type in the correct path and filename?

This should be C:\WINDOWS\system32\wfs.exe

You showed a 'dot' instead of a '\' before 'wfs'.

Fabler2 · Mar 7, 2024

It's in optional features. Just search optional features in Start.

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

wiganken said:
Just to be clear - Did you type in the correct path and filename?

This should be C:\WINDOWS\system32\wfs.exe

You showed a 'dot' instead of a '\' before 'wfs'.

Yes

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

Fabler2 said:
It's in optional features. Just search optional features in Start.

Not there

wiganken said:
Just to be clear - Did you type in the correct path and filename?

This should be C:\WINDOWS\system32\wfs.exe

You showed a 'dot' instead of a '\' before 'wfs'.

Just a typo on my part. It's simply not there, though it is now after copying it from another system. As I said, it's not just the file that's missing, it's the entire feature.

wiganken · Mar 7, 2024

Look in Settings>System>Optional Features and see if you can find 'Windows Fax and Scan' as an 'Installed' app.

If it is not installed then maybe you can find it in the 'Add an Optional Feature' area?

OAT · Mar 7, 2024

Windows Fax and Scan - Official app in the Microsoft Store

To send a fax using your computer, you can use Windows Fax and Scan. Windows Fax and Scan can also scan documents or photos. All you need to do is attach a scanner to your computer.

apps.microsoft.com

RD Mercer · Mar 7, 2024

Here's where mine is.

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

Looks like I need to download it, as OAT has suggested. Mystery why it wasn't in the upgrade.

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

Looks like I'm out of luck - the MS Store download isn't working either. Wonder if they have suspended this app fo some reason.

OAT · Mar 7, 2024

fixer said:
Looks like I'm out of luck - the MS Store download isn't working either. Wonder if they have suspended this app fo some reason.

Yes, you are correct I can download it either.
I must add that on Canary/Dev it isn't an optional installation either.
I am sure the store has other alternatives.

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

Got it! It's now called Windows Scan and it has installed ok. Thanks for all the efforts to help

OAT · Mar 7, 2024

fixer said:
Got it! It's now called Windows Scan and it has installed ok. Thanks for all the efforts to help

Windows Scan - Official app in the Microsoft Store

If you have a scanner, this app makes it easy to scan documents and pictures and save them where you'd like. Whether you're scanning a photo from the flatbed or scanning multiple pages by using a document feeder, the Scan app is the perfect assistant.

apps.microsoft.com

wiganken · Mar 7, 2024

fixer said:
It's now called Windows Scan

That's weird. If I type 'Windows scan' on my PC I get offered "Windows Fax and Scan'. Ah well, as long as you are sorted that's what matters but it doesn't seem to offer the Fax option that Fax and Scan did?

fixer · Mar 7, 2024

wiganken said:
That's weird. If I type 'Windows scan' on my PC I get offered "Windows Fax and Scan'. Ah well, as long as you are sorted that's what matters but it doesn't seem to offer the Fax option that Fax and Scan did?

That will be because that's what you currently have installed. My upgrade to 11 didn't have either. Would have been nice if MS had advised users of this.

Steve C · Mar 8, 2024

fixer said:
Recently upgraded Win 10x64 to Win11x64 on 9yr old PC. Working well except it doesn't appear to have the Windows Fax and Scan feature. Error message is 'Cannot find \System32.wfs.exe'. I have tried copying the missing file from a Win 10 system but that hasn't helped as it's the entire feature that is absent.

System is fully updated and Dism Restore Health has completed without issues. If I can't fix this I think I shall have to revert to Win 10.

You have to install Windows Fax & Scan as an optional feature in Settings. You need to be logged in as an admin user to do this.

Steve C · Mar 8, 2024

fixer said:
Got it! It's now called Windows Scan and it has installed ok. Thanks for all the efforts to help

No, that's a different app which has no fax functionality.

fixer · Mar 8, 2024

Steve C said:
You have to install Windows Fax & Scan as an optional feature in Settings. You need to be logged in as an admin user to do this.

I challenge you to do it. The download no longer works. Anyway, who needs fax these days? Windows Scan is what is currently available, Fax and Scan is not.