How to Install XPS Viewer on Windows 11

Windows 11 ships without the XPS Viewer — it was made an optional feature in Windows 10 version 1709 (October 2017) and is absent from fresh Windows 11 installs. Installing it takes about two minutes. This page covers both the Settings route and the command-line method for IT administrators or users on managed devices.

Method 1: Settings → Optional features

This is the standard route for personal and work machines where you have local administrator access:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Optional features.
3. Click Add a feature (labelled View features in some Windows 11 builds).
4. In the search box, type XPS. XPS Viewer appears in the list.
5. Tick the checkbox next to XPS Viewer and click Next, then Install.
6. Wait for the Installed status to appear under Recent actions. No restart is normally needed.

Once installed, double-clicking a .xps or .oxps file will open it in the XPS Viewer. The Viewer handles both extensions without any additional configuration.

Method 2: DISM / Add-WindowsCapability (command line)

IT administrators managing Windows 11 machines via PowerShell or the command line can install the XPS Viewer with:

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

Run this in an elevated PowerShell window (right-click PowerShell → Run as administrator). Alternatively, with DISM:

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

Both commands install the same optional feature as the Settings route. A system restart is generally not required.

Troubleshooting: XPS Viewer greyed out or missing

If the XPS Viewer does not appear in the optional features list, or the Install button is greyed out, the most common cause is a managed device policy. On machines enrolled in a corporate MDM solution (such as Microsoft Intune) or joined to an Active Directory domain, Group Policy may restrict which optional features can be installed. Contact your IT department to request the feature be enabled.

A secondary cause is a Windows Update backlog. Optional feature installs use the Windows Update infrastructure; if updates are paused or the machine cannot reach Windows Update, the install may fail silently. Ensure Windows Update is running and try again.

No-install alternative

If you cannot install the XPS Viewer — managed device, restricted policy, or you simply prefer not to — converting to PDF is the fastest workaround. XPS2PDF.co.uk accepts .xps and .oxps files up to 25 MB and returns a PDF you can open in any browser or PDF reader on Windows 11 without additional software. The resulting PDF also opens on any other device.

For a full comparison of viewing options across platforms, see how to view an XPS file.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 11 come with XPS Viewer?

No. Windows 11 does not include the XPS Viewer by default. It must be added as an optional feature via Settings → Apps → Optional features → Add a feature → XPS Viewer.

Do I need to restart after installing XPS Viewer on Windows 11?

Not normally. The installation completes without a restart in most cases. If double-clicking an XPS file still does not open the Viewer after the install shows as complete, a restart will resolve any lingering file association issue.

Can I install XPS Viewer without internet access?

Optional features on Windows 11 normally download from Windows Update, so internet access is required for the Settings method. On an offline or air-gapped machine, an administrator can use DISM with a local Windows image source by adding the /Source parameter.

Why is the XPS Viewer option greyed out in Settings?

The most common reason on a work machine is a Group Policy or MDM restriction that limits which optional features users can install. You will need to ask your IT department to add the XPS Viewer or relax the restriction.

What if I just want to view the file once without installing anything?

Convert it to PDF at XPS2PDF.co.uk — free, no account, runs in the browser. The PDF opens in Edge, Chrome, or any other browser on Windows 11 without any additional software.

Last updated: June 2026