How to Install XPS Viewer in Windows 11

If you’ve double-clicked an .xps or .oxps file on Windows 11 and nothing opens it, it’s because XPS Viewer is no longer installed by default. Microsoft stopped including it starting with Windows 10 version 1803, but you can still add it back for free in a couple of minutes.

This guide shows the current way to install XPS Viewer on Windows 11 (including versions 24H2 and 25H2), what to do if it’s missing from Settings, how to convert XPS files to PDF, and which free apps can open them if you’d rather not install it.

What Is an XPS File?

XPS (XML Paper Specification) is Microsoft’s fixed-layout document format, similar to PDF. It keeps a document’s text, fonts, and layout exactly as they were when it was created. Microsoft later standardized it as OpenXPS, which uses the .oxps extension.

Most people run into XPS files when they (or someone else) accidentally print to the Microsoft XPS Document Writer instead of a real printer or PDF. XPS Viewer lets you open, search, print, and digitally sign these files. It can’t edit their contents.

How to Install & Use XPS Viewer in Windows 11

Here’s how to install & use XPS Viewer on your Windows 11 PC:

1. Click on the Search icon and type Settings.

2. Then, click on Open.

3. Click on Apps in the left pane.

4. Now, select Optional features, as depicted below.

5. Click on View features, shown highlighted.

6. Type XPS viewer in the search bar provided in the Add an optional feature window.

7. Check the box marked XPS Viewer and click on Next, as depicted below.

8. Finally, click on Install.

Allow the XPS viewer to be installed. You can see the progress under Recent actions, as shown.

Windows downloads the feature in the background, and you can watch its progress under Recent actions. It can take several minutes. A restart usually isn’t required, but restart if XPS files still don’t open afterward.

Tip: Before installing, scroll through the Added features list on the Optional features page. XPS Viewer may already be installed, especially on PCs upgraded from Windows 10.

How to Install XPS Viewer with a Command Prompt

If the Settings method doesn’t show XPS Viewer or gets stuck, one command usually does the job.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin). Click Yes when asked for permission.
2. Paste the following command and press Enter:

   DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0

3. Wait until you see The operation completed successfully.

If you prefer PowerShell syntax, this command does the same thing:

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0"

To check whether XPS Viewer is installed, run:

DISM /Online /Get-CapabilityInfo /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0

The State line will say Installed or Not Present.

How to View XPS Files in Windows 11

Follow the given steps to use XPS viewer to open and view XPS files in Windows 11:

1. Click on the Search icon and type XPS Viewer.

2. Then, click on Open to launch it.

3. In the XPS Viewer window, click on File > Open… from the Menu bar at the top of the screen.

4. Locate and select your .xps file in the File Explorer and click on Open.

Also Read: How to Stop Microsoft Teams from Opening Automatically on Windows 11

How to Convert XPS File to PDF File

Follow the given instructions to convert the XPS file to PDF:

1. Launch XPS Viewer from the search bar, as earlier.

2. Click on File > Open.. as shown. Browse your PC and select the file to be opened & converted.

3. Click on the Print icon from the top of the screen

4. In the Print window, choose Microsoft Print to PDF in the Select Printer section.

5. Then, click on Print.

6. File Explorer window will appear. Rename & Save the file in the desired directory.

Also Read: How to Disable Microsoft Edge in Windows 11

How to Uninstall XPS Viewer

Now that you know how to install & use XPS viewer on Windows 11, you should also know how to uninstall XPS viewer, if & when need be.

1. Click on Start and type Settings. Then, click on Open.

2. Click on Apps in the left pane and Optional features in the right.

3. Scroll down or search for XPS Viewer. Click on it.

4. Under XPS Viewer tile, click on Uninstall, as depicted below.

Note: You can view the progress of the uninstallation process under Recent actions section shown below.

Alternatives to XPS Viewer

If you only open an XPS file occasionally, or the optional feature won’t install, then you can use SumatraPDF, a free, lightweight reader that opens XPS, OXPS, PDF, EPUB, and more. Download it only from the official site. A portable version is available if you can’t install software.

FAQs

Does Windows 11 come with XPS Viewer?

No. It’s an optional feature you have to add yourself, either from Settings or with the DISM command above.

What’s the difference between .xps and .oxps?

Both are XPS documents. The .oxps format is the standardized OpenXPS version that Windows 8 and later create by default. XPS Viewer and SumatraPDF open both.

Can Microsoft Edge open XPS files?

No. Edge opens PDFs but not XPS files. Use XPS Viewer, SumatraPDF, or convert the file to PDF first.

Recommended: How to Update Microsoft PowerToys App on Windows 11

We hope you found this article interesting and helpful. If you follow the above steps, you will be able to install XPS viewer in Windows 11.