How to Open XPS Files on Windows 10

Windows 10 can open XPS files, but not always out of the box. Microsoft used to bundle the XPS Viewer with every copy of Windows; since the October 2017 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) it has been an optional feature you may need to switch on yourself. This guide covers both situations — turning the viewer on, and the faster route of converting the file to PDF — and works the same for .xps and .oxps documents.

First, check whether XPS Viewer is already installed

Many Windows 10 machines that were upgraded from earlier builds still have the viewer. Press the Windows key, type XPS Viewer, and look in the results. If it appears, open it and use File → Open to load your document. If nothing shows up, the feature isn't installed and you have two choices: add it, or convert the file.

Option 1: convert the XPS to PDF (fastest)

If you only need to read, print or share the document, converting it to PDF is quicker than installing a Windows feature — and the resulting PDF opens in Edge, Chrome, Adobe Acrobat Reader and every other device you might send it to. Use the converter below: drop the .xps file in, choose PDF, and download the result. Nothing is installed and the file is deleted from our servers within 60 minutes.

Option 2: enable the built-in XPS Viewer

To read XPS files natively without converting, add the optional feature:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
2. Click Optional features, then Add a feature.
3. Type XPS Viewer in the search box, tick it, and click Install.
4. Once it finishes, double-click any .xps or .oxps file to open it.

On managed work machines this list is sometimes locked by IT policy. If Add a feature is greyed out or the install fails, conversion is your fallback.

Why the viewer was removed

XPS never gained traction outside the Windows print pipeline, so Microsoft stopped shipping the viewer by default and has not given it a feature update in years. It still works, but it lacks the annotation, search and accessibility tools you would expect from a modern document reader. That, plus the fact that XPS files are awkward to share with anyone on a Mac or phone, is why most people convert to PDF and move on. See our XPS vs PDF comparison for the full picture.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 10 open XPS files by default?

Through version 1703 it did. From version 1709 (the October 2017 Fall Creators Update) onward, the XPS Viewer is an optional feature you may have to enable under Settings → Apps → Optional features.

Can Microsoft Edge open an XPS file?

No. Edge opens PDFs but not XPS. Convert the XPS to PDF first and Edge will display it natively.

Will the XPS Viewer open .oxps files too?

Yes. The Windows XPS Viewer reads both the original .xps format and the newer OpenXPS (.oxps) format introduced with Windows 8.

Is it safe to convert a confidential XPS online?

Files are uploaded over HTTPS, never reviewed by a person, and deleted automatically within 60 minutes. For documents that must never leave your machine, use the offline XPS Viewer route instead.

Last updated: June 2026