Files with xap file extension are mainly related to Windows Phone apps and Microsoft Silverlight installation resource files. Used for Silverlight apps.

There are 2 other file types using
the XAP file extension!

empty icon.xap - Xbox dashboard script

empty icon.xap - XACT project file

Detailed description

Software that open xap file

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XAP file extension - Microsoft Windows Phone and Microsoft Silverlight application package

What is xap file? How to open xap files?

The xap file extension is mainly related to app packages used to deploy apps on Windows Phone 7/8 devices. It is also the default file format for Silverlight apps.

The xap file stores Windows Phone application package in ZIP compression file format.

Content of the xap file:

  • AppManifest.xaml file
  • DLLs required

Default development environment for Windows Phone apps is Microsoft Visual Studio.

The xap file can be simply installed to phone via Market app. Copy *.xap file to SD card (Windows Phone 8 and higher) open Market and use SD card option.

XAP format was replaced by APPX format in Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, however older XAP apps can still be installed to 8.1 and 10 too.

Updated: December 1, 2023

The default software associated to open xap file:

Microsoft Silverlight icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Silverlight  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Silverlight is an application framework for writing and running rich Internet applications, with features and purposes similar to those of Adobe Flash. 

Silverlight was a powerful development tool for creating engaging, interactive user experiences for Web and mobile applications. 

Microsoft Silverlight support ended on October 12, 2021.

Microsoft Visual Studio icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Visual Studio  Multiplatform software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) used to create applications for Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, .NET Framework, Silverlight as well as dynamic websites and web applications. Visual Studio is available for Windows and Mac.

Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows 10 Mobile  Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile is mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. It is an iteration of the Windows Phone product line and a successor to Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft Windows Phone 8 icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows Phone 8  Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Windows Phone 8 is a second generation of mobile operating system and successor of Windows Phone 7 based on Windows NT kernel. Windows Phone offers a new user interface with its design language, Metro, integrates the operating system with third party and other Microsoft services, and sets minimum requirements to the hardware on which it can run.

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows Phone 7  Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Phone 7 is a mobile operating system and successor of Windows Mobile platform. It was first launched in late 2010. Windows Phone offers a new user interface with its design language, Metro, integrates the operating system with third party and other Microsoft services, and sets minimum requirements to the hardware on which it can run. The latest revision 7.5 is called Mango, with more coming in the future.

Microsoft Phone 7 operating system can be found in devices manufactured by Nokia, HTC, Dell, Samsung, and LG.

Help how to open:

As *.xap files are ZIP archives you can simply decompress them should you need it. Otherwise you can install the app from the package via Market app.

How to convert:

There probably is no way how XAP files could be converted to anything else.

List of software applications associated to the .xap file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open xap file, edit xap file, convert xap file, view xap file, play xap file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting xap files.

Software that open xap file - Microsoft Windows Phone and Microsoft Silverlight application package

Programs supporting the exension xap on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open xap file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with xap file by default:
Microsoft Silverlight small icon Microsoft Silverlight
Other suggested software:
Microsoft Windows 10 small icon Microsoft Windows 10

Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile:

Main software associated with xap file by default:
Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile small icon Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile
Microsoft Windows Phone 8 small icon Microsoft Windows Phone 8
Microsoft Windows Phone 7 small icon Microsoft Windows Phone 7

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