Microsoft are known not only for Windows operating system but also for development of extensions which not many of the people have tried or heard about it. Microsoft never tends to stop developing, releasing programs and extensions like docx file format forcing people to download Microsoft 2007 or find a alternative way to open those files Another Microsoft extension is XPS which is an PDF format alternative.

What is XPS File Extension

XPS is XML Paper Specification which is used in Windows Printing machine and doesn’t support non Microsotf platforms (Only Windows, before printing you can save the file in “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” and Print it in a Paper format). Now the problem is “How to open XPS files on your computer ?” If you are on the Windows Vista platform then there is no need to download any plugin or software to open XPS files, double click on the saved XPS file to view the content! This is because both the .NET framework and XPS file viewer is previously installed on Windows Vista.

If you are downloading any Windows  user Manual or Ebook guide then you will find files in XPS and PDF format. Though you can convert xps to pdf files and open them in your PDF viewer but another alternative to open & view XPS files are suggested here (For other platform such as Windows XP or Windows server 2003)

Open XPS files

Open XPS File in Firefox browser

If you are not using Internet explorer for some reason and want to open .XPS on Firefox then download this IE tab extension. Restart firefox, configure the settings and you are ready to open, read XPS format file on Firefox!

Viewing XPS Files on Windows XP

Microsoft provides free XPS reader which is 2.8mb and can be downloaded from here but make sure you have .NET framework installed on your PC! If not you will be asked to download the missing .Net framework.

Open XPS File in Internet Explorer

After opening Internet explorer,click on File –> Open and then Choose your .XPS file, you will be asked to open in new tab to view the file. You can also set Internet Explorer as the default program to read xps file!