WinFax and Vista/Windows 7 compatibility

[Moderator]

All Microsoft VISTA editions and Microsoft WINDOWS 7 are not compatible with Symantec WinFax PRO (all versions).

There is no update available for WinFax PRO for use with Windows VISTA or Windows 7.

WinFax PRO was designed and is for use with Windows XP/2003/2000/NT/9x/Me only)
Also x64 (64 bit) versions of operating systems are also incompatible.

Please do not contact us regarding when an update for WinFax will be available for Vista or Windows 7. We are not the developers of WinFax. WinFax was developed by Symantec and has been discontinued by them. Symantec owns the rights & source code to this software, so it would be impossible for any third-party to update/disassemble/release updates for this software.

Want a powerful desktop software, similar to WinFax PRO, that is fully compatible with your existing fax modem, Windows 7 or Vista?
You can upgrade your WinFax PRO to FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro
FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro is available now available directly from us, and it supports Windows 7 and Vista. For More details see http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

Why doesn't WinFax PRO work with Vista or Windows 7?

The main (and one of the most important) components of WinFax (the WinFax fax printer driver) does not install in VISTA, Windows 7 or any x64 operating systems. The reason for this is because Microsoft discontinued allowing older type of printer driver (called Type 2, or Kernel mode printer drivers) from being used in the newer operating systems (beginning with the introduction of Microsoft Vista.) If you attempt to install an older Type 2/Kernel mode driver in these newer Microsoft operating systems, it will be ignored.

Microsoft gave developers ample time and warning to convert older Type 2/Kernel mode printer drivers to the newer style Type 3 type drivers. However, Symantec never bothered to update the WinFax PRO printer drivers to the newer Type 3. The reason for this may be because there was never any intention by Symantec of supporting or selling WinFax PRO beyond the XP operating system lifespan. This is one of the main reasons why WinFax will not function properly in Microsoft Vista and Windows 7.

Yes, you can install WinFax under Windows 7 or Vista but you will have problems using the software. The WinFax printer component will NOT be installed. Without the WinFax fax printer driver, you will not be able to attach or print documents from any applications (such as Adobe, Word, etc.)

What options do you have?

You can continue using WinFax PRO with your Windows XP operating system (or older operating system if you still use Windows 2000, 9x, NT) and with the support of WinFax Tools, the WinFax forums and GetFaxing.com you can continue using this software for many more years.

Windows 7 XP Mode. Yes, you can use WinFax PRO in Windows 7 XP Mode, but the Type 2/Kernel mode WinFax PRO fax printer driver is only available within the XP virtual machine, so you can't fax from Windows 7 applications.

If you need to upgrade your operating system to Windows 7, then you might be interested in upgrading your WinFax PRO to FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro. This fax software can import your existing phonebooks and fax pages (logs) directly. The only catch here is you need WinFax PRO to be installed in conjunction with FaxTalk FaxCenter to be able to perform this import directly. More details on FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro is available at http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

GetFaxing continues to provide professional third-party support for WinFax PRO software. For more details, see http://www.getfaxing.com/services.htm