How to Convert XPS to PDF on Windows 11

Windows 11 ships without the XPS Viewer. Microsoft removed it from the default install, so double-clicking an .xps or .oxps file gives you nothing — Windows asks which app to use and no good option appears in the list.

There are two ways to convert XPS to PDF on Windows 11: install the optional XPS Viewer and use the built-in Microsoft Print to PDF printer, or skip the install entirely and use the online converter below.

The no-install route: convert online

If you just need the PDF and do not want to touch Windows features, the online converter is the quickest path. Upload your file, choose PDF, download the result. No software is added to your machine, and the file is deleted from the server within 60 minutes.

This also works if your organisation's IT policy restricts installing optional Windows features — a common situation on managed corporate laptops.

The native route: XPS Viewer + Microsoft Print to PDF

Windows 11 still includes Microsoft Print to PDF as a built-in virtual printer. To use it you first need XPS Viewer installed, because it is the application that sends the document to that printer:

Open Settings → System → Optional features.
Click Add a feature and search for XPS Viewer.
Select it and click Install. Wait for the install to finish.
Open your .xps file in XPS Viewer.
Choose File → Print, select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer, and click Print.
Choose where to save the PDF and click Save.

The resulting PDF is created entirely on your machine — nothing goes online. Note that XPS Viewer itself has not been updated in years and lacks modern features like annotation or reflow, but it is adequate for viewing and printing.

Convert XPS to PDF on Windows 11 Now

Up to 20 files at once · 25 MB per file · no watermark · files deleted within 60 minutes.

Why Windows 11 dropped XPS Viewer by default

XPS was Microsoft's answer to PDF, introduced with Windows Vista in 2006. It never achieved broad adoption outside the Windows print pipeline, so Microsoft stopped bundling the viewer by default. The format is still supported — Windows reads and writes it — but Microsoft's current recommendation for document exchange is PDF.

For more background on the two formats, see XPS vs PDF: what's the difference?

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 11 include an XPS viewer by default?

No. XPS Viewer is an optional feature in Windows 11 that must be installed manually via Settings → System → Optional features.

Can I convert XPS to PDF on Windows 11 without installing anything?

Yes. Use the online converter on this page — upload the file, choose PDF, and download the result. No software is installed on your machine.

What is Microsoft Print to PDF and how does it relate to XPS conversion?

Microsoft Print to PDF is a virtual printer built into Windows 10 and 11. Once you have XPS Viewer installed, you can open the XPS file and print it to that virtual printer to produce a PDF.

Does Windows 11 support OXPS files as well?

Yes. Windows 11 reads both .xps and .oxps formats. The optional XPS Viewer and the online converter both handle OXPS.

Will the converted PDF open in Microsoft Edge?

Yes. Microsoft Edge has a built-in PDF reader, so any PDF you produce — whether via the online converter or Microsoft Print to PDF — opens directly in Edge.

Last updated: June 2026