I'm looking for a reliable free fax utility.

It's been years since I used one and always had lots of problems getting them working - usually had to send faxes to another PC and see what came out of it's printer and then make adjustments until it worked. That was in the days of dial-ups, modems, answering fax calls, etc. Hopefully it's easier now.

Anyone have good experiences?

Windows comes with a fax service built in. If it's not on your system go to CP-Add/Remove programs-Windows components-and tick fax services, works great for me.

I'm looking for a reliable free fax utility.

It's been years since I used one and always had lots of problems getting them working - usually had to send faxes to another PC and see what came out of it's printer and then make adjustments until it worked. That was in the days of dial-ups, modems, answering fax calls, etc. Hopefully it's easier now.

Anyone have good experiences?

I know you are looking for some free stuff, but I never came along some freeware that did the job.

I used to work with Winfax and even today I use it. In Bangkok you might know the place where you can still find it.

Windows comes with a fax service built in. If it's not on your system go to CP-Add/Remove programs-Windows components-and tick fax services, works great for me.

Thanks for that I never new it existed. I did what you said and and the wizard installed it but where is it ? I have a scanner so how do I make it work?

There is a piece of software called "faxtastic" which enables you to both send and receive faxes over the internet, no need to leave computer on.

Just google to find it.

we have a program called "ventafax" running on an office pc

the commercial version is able to save faxes in pdf and email them to an email address or put directly in outlook inbox

used a crcked version first, then after two years had to reinstall it and decided to go for a legal one which we used for another couple of years until now, no problems

Windows comes with a fax service built in. If it's not on your system go to CP-Add/Remove programs-Windows components-and tick fax services, works great for me.

Thanks for that I never new it existed. I did what you said and and the wizard installed it but where is it ? I have a scanner so how do I make it work?

I think you're using XP?! You need to finalize the Fax setup via the Control Panel. And don't forget to install the Twain-Driver for your Scanner if you haven't done that yet!

Cheers.

I use Net2Phone as a service to send faxes from my PC over the internet.

It is not free, but the rates are good and I find it very reliable.

Another option is Faxaway.

The advantage here is that it gives me a US fax number for people to send faxes to me.

Incoming faxes are free and there is a small charge for outgoing.

I do find I get SPAM faxes through this service.

Windows comes with a fax service built in. If it's not on your system go to CP-Add/Remove programs-Windows components-and tick fax services, works great for me.

Good idea - just installed it using Add/Remove, Windows Components. I used to get a shutdown problem when this service was installed a few years ago - a pop-up window "Ending program HiddenFaxWindow" used to appear that stopped the shutdown. Have to wait and see if that re-appears.

Regarding all the other options, thanks - I'll be investigating them all.

I like the idea of not having to use the phone line to send faxes - but as these services aren't free, maybe I'll have to finally get a PayPal account.

The original (and free) Delrina Winfax Lite is still available:

http://www.aplusfreeware.com/categories/business/appl.html

It came free with my modem years ago and I used it very happily for a long time. Then Symantec had their way with it and turned it into mega-bloatware (sound familiar?). The built-in Windows fax function works well enough (had to use it from a laptop myself a couple of weeks back) - but you might like the fax management functions built into Winfax Lite. Take a look - if only to smile at how things looked in the '90's.

One cautionary note - I see mention of some people having compatibility issues with later versions of Windows.

The original (and free) Delrina Winfax Lite is still available: ...

Delrina!! That's a 'blast from the past' - haven't thought of them in years! Thanks for the link.

The original (and free) Delrina Winfax Lite is still available: ...

Delrina!! That's a 'blast from the past' - haven't thought of them in years! Thanks for the link.

1996-98 ? I touched my first keyboard..... I've not progressed much since then.

The original (and free) Delrina Winfax Lite is still available: ...

Delrina!! That's a 'blast from the past' - haven't thought of them in years! Thanks for the link.

1996-98 ? I touched my first keyboard..... I've not progressed much since then.

I think I beat that by about 25 years

My 'progression' stopped about 6 years ago and is now going steadily backwards.