With the arrival of Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced a new file extension named XPS (XML Paper Specification) which is an alternative to PDF file format. XPS file has a fixed layout and used to open, view, share and print digital documents. It can be opened in Windows Vista/7/8/10 with Microsoft’s XPS Viewer.

• The XPS file format has a fixed layout.
• The XPS document, like PDF, has digital signatures and DRM.
• Microsoft Office 2007/2010 users can view XPS file without any additional software to be installed.
• Windows Vista/7/8/10 and IE6 or higher has an inbuilt XPS Viewer to open XPS document.
• Downloading XPS Essentials Pack in Windows XP/Server 2003, installs XPS Viewer automatically.
• In order to open XPS file extension, Internet Explorer must be set as a default browser.
• Once considered as ‘PDF killer’ but XPS file turned out to be an unpopular file format.
• Windows 8 uses OXPS (Open XPS) file extension by default.

The XPS file belongs to the category of document Files.

XPS file extension can be opened and viewed by Microsoft XPS Viewer

Microsoft introduced XPS file with Windows Vista.

• application/vnd.ms-xpsdocument
• application/oxps

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