File extension XPS
| File type | XML Paper Specification Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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What is a XPS file?
The .XPS extension belongs to files of the type, XML paper specification files. These are fixed layout format files used to protect the integrity of the data stored in these files. These are similar to the popular PDF file format, the only difference being their file structure, wherein the .XPS format uses XML specifications.
The XPS files can be used to read,share and modify the data in your file and is easy to share over the internet. This has made it a popular alternative to the PDF file format.The XPS files can be created from any of the Windows based software that has printing functionality.
Program(s) that can open the .XPS file
Windows
Microsoft XPS Viewer 
PDF Converter Professional 
XpsViewer 
XpsConvert 
Mozilla Firefox 
Danet Studio 
XPS Viewer 
Microsoft Windows 8 XPS Reader - Pagemark XPS Viewer
XpsConverter - Pagemark XPS Converter
Microsoft XPS Document Writer - Total PDF Converter
- XPS To PDF Converter
Microsoft Word 
Microsoft Excel 
Microsoft PowerPoint 
Microsoft Windows
More information about XPS file
XPS is a document file conforming to XML Paper Specification standard. XPS file can contain information describing text and graphics content for single- or multi-page documents. XPS file holds information about the page layout, appearance, and printing details.
Similarities and differences with PDF format
XPS format was developed by Microsoft as the successor to EMF (Enhanced Metafile) format. XPS page description language shares many similarites with PDF format, but is based on XML architecture, not on PostScript language. Just as PDF, XPS defines page elements independently of operating system, printer, or web browser, and therefore the layout is always the same.
XPS as a subset of XAML
Platform-independent document consistency is guaranteed by XAML, as XPS is a subset of this language, fitted for defined page layout to eliminate the so-called ‘floating text’ effect when document is viewed on various devices and platforms. XAML supports vector graphics.
Improved quality compared with older technologies
Older Windows systems used GDI technology, which when compared to XPS offered worse image quality and slower complex object rendering. XPS supports Windows Color System, a color management technology that facilitates color conversion between devices and raster image processor (RIP) components.
How to open XPS files
If you cannot open the XPS file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports XPS among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the XPS file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the XPS format files
The inability to open and operate the XPS file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the XML Paper Specification Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a XPS file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the XPS file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the XPS from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the XPS format
- The XPS file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the XPS file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a XPS file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the XPS file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the XPS file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the XPS file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
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This extension
can be converted to:
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.XPS) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected XPS file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the XPS file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. XPS) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.