Tip 755: Outlook and Windows 64-bit “Fax and Scan”

I've had a couple of queries recently relating to the Fax and Scan program in Windows. Users with 64-bit Windows are unable to select a fax recipient from the Outlook or BCM address book.

Fax and Scan can't use the Outlook address book because Outlook is a 32bit application and runs on a WOW layer on 64-bit operating system so when Contacts is opened by Windows Fax and Scan on 64-bit Windows, the Outlook contact list is not visible.

There are two workarounds: export the contact list from Outlook and import it to Windows Address Book or install the Fax transport in Outlook. Once you do install the Fax transport, you can select the "Fax" account as the email protocol and then send. This will invoke the 64 bit fax and scan program and prompt you for a cover page before sending the fax.

So… does Fax and Scan work with 64bit Outlook? No. You need to use one of the workarounds with Outlook 2010 64-bit too.

Published June 29, 2010. Last updated on June 17, 2011.