How to Open XPS Files Without Installing the XPS Viewer

Since the October 2017 Fall Creators Update, the XPS Viewer is not installed by default on Windows 10. On Windows 11, it is absent entirely. You can add it as an optional feature through Settings — but you may not want to. The viewer is old, has had no meaningful updates in years, and is unnecessary if you are willing to open the document as a PDF instead.

Three methods let you read, share or print an XPS file on Windows without ever touching the optional feature settings.

Why you might skip the XPS Viewer

Installing it takes a few minutes, requires admin rights or an IT policy that allows optional features, and adds a legacy application that cannot search text, has no annotation tools, and opens only XPS — nothing else. On a work machine, Optional features may be locked down entirely by Group Policy.

Converting the document to PDF sidesteps all of that. The resulting file opens in Edge, Chrome, Adobe Reader or any other PDF viewer already on the machine, and it works on every other device the document is ever shared with. The XPS-to-PDF conversion is lossless in terms of layout: both formats are fixed-layout, so the page looks identical.

Method 1: convert online (no software, any Windows version)

Open this page in Edge or Chrome and use the converter below. Upload the .xps or .oxps file, select PDF, and download the result. It opens straight in Edge's built-in PDF viewer.

This is the fastest route: no admin rights, no installs, no policy concerns. Files are encrypted in transit, deleted within 60 minutes, and never reviewed manually. The limit is 25 MB per file and 20 files per batch.

Method 2: LibreOffice (offline, free)

LibreOffice 4.4 and later opens XPS files in read-only mode. If it is already installed on your machine, drag the .xps file onto the LibreOffice Writer or Draw icon and it will render the document. From there, use File → Export As PDF to save a PDF copy.

LibreOffice is free and open source. This route is fully offline, useful for documents that must not leave the machine, and works on Windows 7 through Windows 11.

Note: LibreOffice opens XPS read-only — you cannot edit the content within LibreOffice, only view and export it.

Method 3: if you must go offline on a machine without LibreOffice

On Windows 10 or 11, there is one more built-in route that does not require the XPS Viewer but does require a printer driver: Microsoft Print to PDF. This works only if you can already open the XPS file in some application. If you cannot open it at all, this method does not apply — use Method 1 or 2 first.

However, if you receive an XPS file from someone and can open it (for example, in a browser that renders it, or on a machine where the viewer is present), you can print it to the Microsoft Print to PDF virtual printer to produce a PDF without any third-party software. It is a niche scenario but worth knowing about.

Comparing the three approaches

• Online converter — fastest, zero setup, works on locked-down machines, requires internet, 25 MB file limit.
• LibreOffice — fully offline, no file size limit, requires a 300 MB+ download if not already installed, read-only view.
• Microsoft Print to PDF — no install needed on Windows 10/11, but requires you to be able to open the file first — not a standalone solution.

For most people, the online converter is the practical answer. LibreOffice is the right choice if internet access is restricted or the file is confidential.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open an XPS file on Windows 11 without installing anything?

Yes. Windows 11 ships without the XPS Viewer. Convert the file online using XPS2PDF.co.uk — open it in Edge, upload the .xps, download the PDF, and open it in Edge's built-in viewer. No installation required.

Does Microsoft Edge or Chrome open XPS files directly?

No. Edge and Chrome both open PDF natively but neither reads XPS. Convert the file to PDF first, then open the PDF in the browser.

Can LibreOffice open XPS files on Windows?

Yes. LibreOffice 4.4 and later opens XPS files read-only. You can view and export to PDF via File > Export As PDF. It is a free, offline alternative to the XPS Viewer.

Is there any risk to converting a work document online?

Files are uploaded over HTTPS, deleted within 60 minutes, and never reviewed manually. For documents classified as confidential or covered by a data agreement, use the LibreOffice offline route instead.

What is the difference between the XPS Viewer and XPS Document Writer?

The XPS Viewer is for reading .xps files. The XPS Document Writer is a virtual printer for creating .xps files — it does not open or read them. They are separate features and are often confused.

Will the converted PDF look exactly like the original XPS?

Yes. XPS and PDF are both fixed-layout document formats. The conversion preserves the page geometry, fonts, images and — importantly — the selectable text, so the PDF is searchable.

Last updated: June 2026