What is the .xps file extension?
.xps files are basically Zipped XML files and are commonly referred to as XML Paper Specification files. The XML Paper Specification was developed by Microsoft to integrate document creation and viewing into its line of operating systems.
.xps files come under the category of Page Layout files.
Difference between a PDF file and an XPS file
The difference between PDF and XPS files is that while the latter is based on the Extensive Markup Language (XML), PDF files are based on the PostScript Language.
How to create XPS files
To create XPS files, you should select the ?Microsoft XPS Document Writer? as the printer when printing a document.
Names of the programs that can open .xps files
If you use Windows, you may open an .xps file using any of the following programs:
- Microsoft XpsViewer
- Microsoft Word 2007
- NiXPS View
- NiXPS Edit
- Pagemark XpsViewer
- Pagemark XpsConvert
- XPS Annotator
- Firefox using Pagemark XpsPlugin
- Nuance PDF Converter Professional 6
If you use a Mac OS, you may open an .xps file using any of the following programs:
- Pagemark XpsViewer
- Microsoft Word 2008
- NiXPS View
- NiXPS Edit
- Firefox using Pagemark XpsPlugin
- Safari using Pagemark XpsPlugin
If you use Linux, you may open an .xps file using any of the following programs:
- Pagemark XpsViewer
- KDE Okular
- Firefox using Pagemark XpsPlugin
How to open an .xps file in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Both the Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems include Microsoft?s XPS Viewer, which is used for opening .xps files. So, a Windows Vista and Windows 7 user just needs to double-click the .xps file to open it.
How to open an .xps file in Internet Explorer 6 or 7
Microsoft?s XPS Viewer is also included with IE7 and IE6, making it possible for users to open an .xps file in the Internet Explorer window. To open an .xps file in IE7 or IE6, perform the following steps:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click the File menu and select Open.
- Browse to the .xps file.
- Click the OK button.
How to open an .xps file in Windows XP
By default, Windows XP is not equipped to handle .xps files, as it does not include Microsoft?s XPS Viewer. If you use Windows XP and need to open an .xps file, download the XPS viewer for free from the Microsoft website. Before you download the XPS viewer, ensure that you have .NET Framework installed, otherwise you will be prompted to download .NET Framework.
In case the .xps file you are trying to open is corrupt, then to fix the issue use a file extension repair program that can easily diagnose and fix corrupt files with different file extensions, including .xps.