Microsoft developed the XPS file format so that it could print content to a file that looked like a PDF.
One type of program that can open .xps files, store documents in the XPS format, and print XPS files is called XPS Viewer.
Microsoft eventually stopped supporting the file format with the April 2018 Update and eliminated the Windows XPS Viewer application from all subsequent iterations.
You can reinstall XPS Viewer through Windows Settings if you need to use XPS files but don’t currently have it on your computer. Simply click on XPS Viewer from the OPTIONAL FEATURES page and choose the unfolded UNINSTALL button to remove it from your computer.
It is advised that you convert your XPS files to other file formats, such as PDF, as Microsoft no longer supports the XPS file format. To convert your other XPS files to PDF, follow the same procedures as above.
Microsoft introduced the XPS format as an alternative to PDF with the release of Windows Vista. Therefore, Microsoft’s XPS (XML Paper Specification) files compete with Adobe’s PDF files.
Microsoft decided to give up on XPS because it was never a successful file format, and in the April 2018 update, they removed the built-in XPS viewer from Windows 10. But, you can use Windows 10’s built-in XPS file viewer if you still work with or have files saved in XPS format. Using this method, we will bring back Windows 10’s outdated XPS file viewer.
If you are unable to access the settings page in Windows 10, you must use this method. Making the file in PDF format is another excellent way to open an XPS file on an unsupported operating system. You can convert XPS files to PDF format so that Adobe Reader can open them on your computer if you have Adobe Reader installed.
The XPS Viewer Online can be used to open XPS files if you have internet access.
Do I Need XPS Viewer?
Most processors have less compatibility with XPS files. An XPS viewer is required in order to open an XPS file. Digital document creation, saving, sharing, and printing are made simple with XPS files. XPS files are made to print with the best possible quality. If you wish to share the document with someone who does not have access to a printer or if you need to print a hard copy, this can be helpful. Since XPS files are meant to protect the integrity of your document, you are unable to edit an XPS file once you have saved it.
If you’re using the Windows Office Suite, open the XPS Viewer application, click File, and then choose Print. To save your PDF file, select the "Microsoft Print to PDF" option and press "Print." An XPS file can be converted to a PDF.
There are some significant distinctions between PDF and XPS files, despite the fact that both are print and share-ready document formats. While XPS files require an XPS Viewer or compatible browser to open, PDF files can be viewed on most devices and opened with a variety of programs.
Uninstalling XPS Viewer
You can view and edit XPS documents with Windows 10’s XPS Viewer. You can even remove and add the XPS viewer back later if you decide not to use it. To uninstall XPS Viewer, select it by scrolling down and clicking on it, then select Uninstall. XPS Viewer can be installed by scrolling down, checking the box next to it, and then clicking Install. Enter DISM /ONLINE /REMOVE-CAPABILITY /CAPABILITYNAME:XPS.VIEWER~~~~0.0.1.0 to remove the XPS Viewer, then hit Enter. Enter DISM /ONLINE /ADD-CAPABILITY /CAPABILITYNAME:XPS.VIEWER~~~~0.0.1.0 and hit Enter to install XPS Viewer.
The Purpose of XPS Files
Microsoft created the XPS (XML Paper Specification) format, which is used as a spool file format, a fixed-page document format, and a page description language (PDL) for printers. In addition to being a crucial part of Windows Vista’s printer support, the XPS format was intended to be a platform-neutral format that could be viewed and printed without the program that created it. A collection of linked pages with a predetermined layout that are arranged as one or more documents to be printed together are represented by the XPS document format. For a file in this format to be completely rendered on a physical medium or display device, it must contain all necessary information. Every visual element on a page has exact sizes and placements in order to implement the fixed layout of the page. The XPS format merely finds the beginning point and relative position of each character/glyph in a run, as well as runs of characters in the same font, size, and weight. A FixedDocumentSequence part at the base of an XPS file allows one or more documents to be stored in an XPS package, each in its own FixedDocument part. The parts of an XPS file represent a fixed payload.
Applications that Can Open XPS Files
Use NiXPS View or the built-in Windows XPS Viewer to open one. Microsoft Reader can be used to open XPS files on Windows 10 and 11. On a Mac, XPS files can be opened with Pagemark, and the Pagemark XPS Viewer plug-in is available for Firefox and Safari web browsers. Linux users can open XPS files with Pagemark’s programs as well. Uploading an XPS file to Zamzar is one of the quickest ways to convert it to PDF, JPG, PNG, or other image-based formats. You can create an Excel document from an XPS file by using the Able2Extract program. XpsConverter from Microsoft converts XPS files to OXPS.