How to Open OXPS File in Windows 11

So, you just received an .oxps file and double-clicked it, only to find that Windows 11 doesn’t know what to do with it. Frustrating, right? Don’t worry — you’re not alone!

OXPS files can seem confusing, but they’re just Microsoft’s updated version of XPS files — kind of like PDF but with a different format. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll explain exactly what OXPS files are, why you might have one, and most importantly, how to open them in Windows 11 quickly and easily.

What Is an OXPS File?

Before we jump into the solutions, let’s clarify what we’re dealing with.

An OXPS file stands for Open XML Paper Specification file. It’s basically the newer version of the older XPS format and works like a digital printout. It preserves your document’s layout, fonts, and graphics exactly as they were created — so what you see on screen is exactly what will be printed.

You’ll often encounter OXPS files if someone prints a document using the Microsoft XPS Document Writer printer.

Why Windows 11 Doesn’t Always Open OXPS Files by Default

Microsoft used to include XPS Viewer in older versions of Windows. But starting with Windows 10 (and continuing in Windows 11), they removed it by default to reduce bloat.

That means if you try opening an OXPS file without installing XPS Viewer first, Windows won’t recognize it.

Luckily, it’s very easy to get the feature back.

How to Open OXPS Files in Windows 11

Here are the best ways to open OXPS files — from Microsoft’s official viewer to free conversion tools and third-party apps.

Method 1: Install Microsoft XPS Viewer

This is the most straightforward way to open OXPS files natively on Windows 11.

Step 1: Open Optional Features

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps > Optional Features.

Step 2: Add XPS Viewer

Scroll down and click View features under “Add an optional feature.”
Search for XPS Viewer.
Check the box, click Next, then Install.

Step 3: Open Your OXPS File

Once installed, just double-click your OXPS file, and it should open instantly in XPS Viewer.

Method 2: Convert OXPS to PDF

If you don’t want to install extra features, convert the OXPS file into a PDF — which is supported everywhere.

Option 1: Convert Online

Go to a trusted online converter such as oxps2pdf.com or cloudconvert.com.
Upload your OXPS file.
Download the converted PDF and open it in your favorite PDF reader.

Option 2: Convert with XPS Viewer

If you installed XPS Viewer, you can “print” the OXPS file to PDF:

Open the file in XPS Viewer.
Go to File > Print.
Select Microsoft Print to PDF.
Save the output as a PDF file.

Method 3: Use Third-Party OXPS Readers

If you frequently work with OXPS files, you might prefer a dedicated reader with more features.

Popular options include:

SumatraPDF – Free, lightweight, and supports OXPS files.
Pagemark XpsViewer – Simple reader just for XPS/OXPS files.
STDU Viewer – Multi-format document reader.

Just download one of these, install it, and set it as your default app for OXPS files.

Method 4: Open OXPS Files on the Web

If you don’t want to install anything, you can preview OXPS files online.

Open Google Drive.
Upload the OXPS file.
Open it in Google Drive’s document viewer.

This works well if you just need to view the file quickly without downloading software.

Method 5: Convert OXPS to XPS

Sometimes, older software only supports XPS files. Microsoft provides a free OXPS to XPS Converter tool.

Download the tool from Microsoft’s official site.
Open Command Prompt and run the converter with your file path.
The tool will generate an XPS file you can open with XPS Viewer.

This is a bit more technical but handy for compatibility purposes.

How to Make XPS Viewer the Default App

If you plan to open OXPS files regularly, make XPS Viewer your default:

Right-click any OXPS file.
Select Open with > Choose another app.
Select XPS Viewer and check Always use this app to open .oxps files.

Done — now all OXPS files will open with one double-click.

Troubleshooting Tips

XPS Viewer Won’t Install

Make sure Windows is up to date.
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in Command Prompt if installation fails.

File Still Won’t Open

The OXPS file might be corrupt. Try converting it online or asking the sender to resend.

Slow Loading

Large OXPS files can be slow in XPS Viewer. Consider converting to PDF for better performance.

Advantages of OXPS Files

Keeps document formatting consistent
Works natively with Microsoft print drivers
Great for archiving forms or digital receipts

Disadvantages of OXPS Files

Limited support outside Windows
Requires installing XPS Viewer manually
Not as widely used as PDF

When to Convert OXPS to PDF Instead

PDF is usually the better choice if:

You need to share the file with Mac or Linux users
You want to annotate, sign, or edit the document
You want compatibility with mobile devices

Conclusion

Opening an OXPS file in Windows 11 might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually pretty easy once you know how. The simplest solution is to install XPS Viewer from Optional Features — after that, you can open any OXPS file with a double-click.

If you prefer not to install anything, you can convert OXPS files to PDF or use an online viewer. Either way, you’ll never be stuck wondering what to do with an OXPS file again.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between XPS and OXPS?
OXPS is just the newer, standardized version of XPS. Functionally, they’re almost the same.

2. Why can’t Windows 11 open OXPS files by default?
Microsoft removed XPS Viewer from the default installation to save space, but you can reinstall it anytime.

3. Can I edit OXPS files?
Not directly. You’ll need to convert them to Word or PDF to make changes.

4. Are OXPS files secure?
They’re read-only by default, so they preserve data integrity, but they don’t have built-in password protection like PDFs.

5. Can I open OXPS files on my phone?
Yes — either with a third-party reader app or by converting them to PDF first.

How to Open OXPS File in Windows 11 – A Step-by-Step Guide