How to Open XPS File in Windows 11:A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever stumbled upon a file with a .xps extension and wondered what on earth to do with it? If you’re running Windows 11, you might have noticed that double-clicking an XPS file doesn’t always work — that’s because Microsoft no longer enables XPS support by default.

But don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about XPS files — what they are, why they exist, and, most importantly, how to open them in Windows 11 easily.

What is an XPS File?

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s quickly explain the “what.”

An XPS file (XML Paper Specification) is basically Microsoft’s answer to the PDF. It’s a fixed-layout document format that preserves the look and feel of a page — fonts, images, and layout stay the same no matter where you open it.

Think of it like a digital printout — what you see is exactly what you get.

Why Microsoft Moved Away from XPS

XPS was meant to compete with PDF, but… it never really took off.

PDF Won the Race: Most users preferred PDFs, and software support for PDF exploded.
XPS Viewer Was Removed: Starting with Windows 10 version 1803, Microsoft no longer includes XPS Viewer by default.
Security Concerns: XPS had some vulnerabilities, making Microsoft phase it out slowly.

Still, many businesses and government offices keep using XPS — so you might still receive these files occasionally.

Different Ways to Open XPS Files in Windows 11

Even though Microsoft hides XPS Viewer by default, you still have multiple ways to open XPS files in Windows 11:

Install Microsoft’s XPS Viewer feature
Use third-party XPS reader software
Convert the file to PDF
Open it in a browser or with online tools

Let’s go step by step.

Method 1: Install XPS Viewer in Windows 11

This is the simplest way if you just want to open and read an XPS file natively.

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 and click Next > Install.

Step 3: Open Your XPS File

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

Method 2: Use Microsoft Edge (Limited Support)

Some versions of Microsoft Edge allow viewing XPS files by dragging them into the browser.

Open Microsoft Edge.
Drag and drop the .xps file into the browser window.
If supported, it will display the document like a PDF.

⚠️ Note: This doesn’t work on all builds of Edge, so your mileage may vary.

Method 3: Convert XPS to PDF

If you don’t want to install anything, just convert the file to PDF.

Option 1: Online Conversion

Visit a site like xps2pdf.com or cloudconvert.com.
Upload your XPS file.
Download the converted PDF and open it in any PDF reader.

Option 2: Microsoft Print to PDF

You can also do this without an internet connection:

Install XPS Viewer first (see Method 1).
Open the file and go to File > Print.
Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
Save the file as a PDF.

Boom — you now have a PDF you can open anywhere.

Method 4: Use Third-Party XPS Reader Software

There are several free and paid XPS readers for Windows 11. Some popular options include:

STDU Viewer – Lightweight and supports many document types.
Pagemark XpsViewer – Simple and fast viewer.
SumatraPDF – Yes, it can open XPS files too!

Download one of these, install it, and set it as your default XPS opener.

Method 5: Use Microsoft Office (Indirect Way)

While Word doesn’t directly open XPS files, you can convert them to PDF and then open them in Word if you need to edit the content.

Convert XPS to PDF using Method 3.
Open Word and use File > Open to open the PDF.
Word will convert it into an editable document.

Method 6: Open XPS Files on the Web

If you don’t want to install anything on your PC, you can use web-based viewers:

Google Drive – Upload the XPS file and open it as a preview.
Online Document Viewer sites – Many let you drag and drop files for instant viewing.

This is perfect if you just need a quick look at the file.

How to Make XPS Viewer the Default App

If you open XPS files frequently, set XPS Viewer as the default:

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

Now all XPS files will open automatically with one double-click.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

XPS Viewer Not Showing in Features

Ensure you have the latest Windows 11 updates installed.
Try running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in Command Prompt to repair Windows components.

XPS File Won’t Open

The file might be corrupt. Try opening it on another PC or converting it online.

Performance Issues

XPS Viewer can be slow with large files — consider converting to PDF for smoother performance.

Pros and Cons of Using XPS Files

Pros

Maintains formatting perfectly
Good for archiving documents
Native support in Windows (after enabling)

Cons

Less compatible than PDF
Limited editing tools
Microsoft is phasing it out

When to Convert XPS to PDF Instead

You should consider converting to PDF if:

You need to share the file with others
You need better cross-platform support (macOS, Android, etc.)
You want to use annotation tools or e-signatures

Conclusion

Opening an XPS file in Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as it used to be — but it’s still possible. The easiest way is to reinstall XPS Viewer through Optional Features, but you can also use third-party readers, convert to PDF, or view the file online.

The bottom line? Whether you just want to read an XPS document or convert it into a more universal format, you have plenty of options — and none of them require being a tech genius.

FAQs

1. Why can’t I open an XPS file by double-clicking?
Windows 11 doesn’t install XPS Viewer by default. You need to add it via Optional Features.

2. Is XPS Viewer free?
Yes, it’s a free feature you can install anytime from Windows Settings.

3. Can I edit XPS files in Windows 11?
Not easily — XPS is meant to be read-only. Convert to PDF or Word if you need editing.

4. Is XPS better than PDF?
PDF is more widely supported and more secure. XPS is mostly legacy now.

5. Can I open XPS files on my phone?
Yes — with third-party XPS reader apps or by converting the file to PDF first.