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XPS

xps icon

Microsoft XPS document

File type: Document file

Files with xps extension are almost always documents that were exported or printed in Microsoft Windows with the default Microsoft XPS Document Writer virtual printer, for example in MS Office applications. XPS format is Microsoft's much less popular alternative to PDF for fixed layout exchange documents.

Found 3 different file type records with the same xps filename suffix.

What is xps file?

File type category:
Document file

Date updated: July 19, 2025

File extension xps is since the times of Windows XP known for its use for a special fixed layout document type printed (exported) in Windows and Windows apps by default as an alternative to the much more popular PDF format through the integrated XPS Document Writer virtual printer driver.

The XPS (XML Paper Specification) format was developed by Microsoft and Ecma International for an electronic representation of digital documents that can be can easily created, shared, printed.

It is a essentially a ZIP archive that contains document data, including the following:

  • document page files (.fpage)
  • document settings files (.fdoc)
  • document fragment files (.frag).

Main program that generates .xps files is the Microsoft Document Writer, which is integral part of Windows since Windows 7. Previously it was available as separate download from Microsoft's website and now is available as part of Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack for Windows XP/Vista.

Windows 8 introduced a modernized version of XPS format, called the Open XML Paper Specification, which uses .oxps instead the original xps suffix.

NOTE: XPS is also known as abbreviation for Xtreme Performance System which is used by Dell for its gaming and performance computers and is not related in any way to XML Paper Specification.

How to open xps file?

You can easily view .xps files in Windows since Windows 7 with the Windows XPS Viewer which is installed by default. For older versions of Windows, you will have to install the Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack.

Other than that, you can find several 3rd party apps designed for opening and even some further editting of .xps files, but this is usually restricted to annoation and meta data changes.

How to convert xps file?

XPS to PDF is one of the most common conversions, and can be simply achieved by using the Print (and virtual PDF printer) in the default XPS Viewer.

Suggested software to open xps file:

Microsoft XPS Viewer icon
Microsoft XPS Viewer
The default XPS viewer in Windows
Microsoft XPS Document Writer icon
Microsoft XPS Document Writer
The default print to file driver for XPS documents

Associated software actions with the xps file

Software applications that can open xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft XPS Viewer icon Microsoft XPS Viewer

Programs for viewing xps files:

Apple macOS / Mac OS X

Linux/Unix

Multiplatform

Software apps that create xps files:

Software apps that convert xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Software apps that print xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Articles about xps files

March 21, 2017

Windows 10 and OXPS documents

OXPS documents are nothing new for Windows 8 users, but may surprise users that upgraded their Windo...

Read more 2,658 views
July 9, 2014

Open XPS and OXPS documents on Mac

Apple Mac OS X doesn't have support for viewing of both XPS and OXPS documents in its defaul Preview...

Read more 1,652 views

MonkeyJam exposure sheet

File type category:
Graphics file

Date updated: December 7, 2018

The xls file extension is also used for exposure sheets created in MonkeyJam program. MonkeyJam is a digital penciltest and stopmotion animation program.

Not to be confused with standard xps from Windows.

How to open xps file?

You can open these XPS files in MonkeyJam.

How to convert xps file?

Videos made using MonkeyJam can be exported as AVI files.

Suggested software to open xps file:

Associated software actions with the xps file

Software applications that can open xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Software applications that can edit xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Software capable of saving xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Software apps that create xps files:

Microsoft Windows

WindowBlinds temporary data

File type category:
Temporary file

Date updated: July 7, 2019

The xps file extension is associated with the WindowBlinds, a software for Microsoft Windows operating system, which enables users to customize Windows GUI.

The xps file contains temporary data from WindowBlinds.

How to open xps file?

Probably not meant to be accessed by the user.

How to convert xps file?

Probably cannot be converted to anything else.

Suggested software to open xps file:

Associated software actions with the xps file

Software applications that handle other tasks involving xps files:

Microsoft Windows

Convert .xps files

Convert to .xps from other formats

Related file extensions