Wondering how to enable XPS Viewer on Windows 10?
XPS is a file format similar to PDF that Microsoft released with the Windows Vista update in 2007. There wasn’t a big difference between the two in terms of features and interface, except that PDF offers enhanced portability.
Unfortunately, not many people were fans of XPS, and the company eventually abandoned the format. With the Windows 10 version 1803 update, users could no longer view XPS files unless the computer was upgraded from version 1709.
So, if you’ve set up a new device or performed a clean installation, XPS Viewer would not be available on your computer anymore. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of methods to reinstall or enable the app even if Windows no longer supports it.
So, let’s get to it right away!
1. Enable XPS Viewer on Windows 10 via Settings.
You need dedicated viewing software to read, print, or change the permissions of any file format. Since the latest system update has disabled the XPS Viewer, you’d have to reinstall it to view such files on your computer again.
Here’s how you can do that using Windows Settings:
- First, press Windows+i on your keyboard or type ’settings’ on the search bar to enter Settings.
- Now, from the multiple options appearing on your screen, select Apps.
- From the panel on the left side, click on Apps & features tab.
- From there, go to Optional Features under Apps & features on the right panel.
- Then, you’ll come across a list of features already enabled on your computer with an Add a feature option at the top-left corner of the window. Click on it.
- Use the search bar or scroll down to find XPS Viewer, then select it.
- Finally, click the Install button, and your computer will start downloading the feature.
Once downloaded, you should be able to open an XPS or OXPS file easily.
2. Use Command Prompt To Enable XPS Viewer.
Sometimes, users are unable to find the XPS Viewer listed when scrolling through the list of features in the Settings. Other times, the feature fails to install on your computer.
Whatever the reason, you don’t have to worry. Another method to enable XPS Viewer on Windows 10 is done through the Command Prompt. To do so, you’ll need to run the software as an administrator.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- To begin, open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon located at the bottom-left of the screen or by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Now, type cmd in the search bar.
- Then, click on the Run as administrator option to run the app under full rights.
- When the Command Prompt window opens, type the following command and press Enter.
Dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
After that, XPS Viewer should get installed on your computer.
3. Use Windows Powershell To Enable XPS Viewer.
If you’re an old Windows user, you must be familiar with Windows PowerShell. It was first released in 2006 and is quite similar to Command Prompt. You can use this automation software to enable XPS Viewer.
Simply input the required command in the associated scripting language to perform the task.
These are the steps you should follow:
- Start by pressing Windows key+i or directly click on the Search Bar at the bottom left of the screen.
- Then, type Microsoft Powershell so that a list of options appears on the right panel.
- From there, click on Run as administrator since you need special permissions to perform tasks.
- When the app opens and you come across the PowerShell console, type the following command:
dism / Online / Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
- Finally, press Enter to begin the installation.
XPS Viewer will then be downloaded on your computer and can easily be accessed on the Desktop.
4. Enable XPS Viewer From Windows Update.
If your computer has Windows 10 Pro or Windows Enterprise, the method to install XPS Viewer can be pretty different. Moreover, you’ll need to alter a few more settings in the Group Policy Editor if the computer you’re using belongs to a domain.
This is what you need to do:
- To start, type ’Run’ in the search box and click Open. You can also press the Windows key and R simultaneously as a shortcut.
- When the Run command box opens, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
- Scroll down the left pane and click on the drop-down arrow of Computer Configuration.
- Now, click on Administrative Templates and then on System.
- Then, select Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair on the right pane.
- In the next window, select Enabled and check the box that says Download repair content and optional features directly from Windows Update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
- Finally, click on Apply, then OK, and restart your computer.
You can then install the XPS Viewer like you would on any other computer with Windows 10.
5. Use Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW).
Microsoft XPS Document Writer is a driver installed in Windows OS. You can use this to protect the XPS files’ content and print the documents even when Microsoft doesn’t support the format.
You need to enable the driver manually by following the steps below:
- First, type ’Control Panel’ in the search bar and click Open.
- Then, select Programs at the bottom-left of the window.
- From there, go to Programs and Features.
- Now, from the left pane, select Turn Windows Features on or off.
- Finally, a pop-up window will open. Scroll down and check the box next to Microsoft XPS Document Writer and click OK.
It will take only a couple of seconds for the MXDW to get installed. After that, a Print to XPS option will appear in print pages, and you can select it to save files in XPS format.
6. Use PDF Converter.
Although Microsoft no longer supports the XPS Viewer, you can still easily install it using one of the above methods. However, since there will be no more maintenance or updates on the program, it’s better to convert your XPS files to PDF format, so they remain readable even if the XPS Viewer crashes.
Here’s how to do it:
- First, right-click on the file you wish to convert and select Open with XPS Viewer.
- Then, click on the Printer icon at the top panel or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
- A selection box will then appear on your screen. From there, in the General tab, go to Microsoft Print to PDF under Select Printer.
- Lastly, click the Print button.
This will convert the format of your XPS file to PDF. Repeat the steps to convert the remaining files on your computer.
There you have it! A complete guide on how to enable XPS Viewer on Windows 10. Hopefully, at least one of the methods has proven to be successful. If you still have any confusion, leave a comment down below, and we’ll do our best to help you through it.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
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Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.
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Microsoft no longer includes XPS Viewer by default since the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803). If you performed a clean installation of version 1803 or set up a new device with this version, you may need to manually install XPS Viewer. On the other hand, removing it can help free up system resources if it’s not needed.
But what is Windows XPS Viewer? It’s a built-in Windows tool for viewing and managing XPS files, similar to a PDF reader. Below, you can learn the step-by-step process of managing XPS Viewer in Windows 10.
How to add XPS Viewer in Windows 10 (a step-by-step guide)
NOTE: You must be signed as an Administrator to add XPS Viewer in Windows 10.
Method 1: Using Settings to add XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Open Settings using the Windows search bar, then click Apps on the left pane.
- On the right pane, click Optional features > Add a feature.
- Scroll down and search for XPS Viewer.
- Tick the XPS Viewer checkbox, then click Install.
- After completing the process, restart your computer if necessary
Method 2: Using PowerShell to add XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Right-click on the Windows icon or the Start menu.
- Click Windows Powershell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
Now, PowerShell will require a command. What is the command for XPS Viewer?
- In the Powershell console, copy and paste or type in the following command: DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
- Hit Enter, then wait for the process to be completed.
- Restart your computer if prompted.
- Open XPS Viewer by clicking the Windows icon or Start menu.
- Type XPS Viewer in the search bar, then hit Enter once found.
Method 3: Using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to add XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Right-click on the Windows icon or Start menu.
- Click Command Prompt (Admin)
- Copy and paste or type in the following command: DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
- Hit Enter, then wait for the process to be completed.
- Restart your computer if prompted.
- Access XPS Viewer by clicking the Windows icon or Start menu.
- Type XPS Viewer in the search bar, then hit Enter once found.
How to remove XPS Viewer in Windows 10 (a step-by-step guide)
NOTE: You must be signed as an Administrator to remove XPS Viewer in Windows 10.
Method 1: Using Settings to remove XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Open Settings using Windows search bar, then click Apps on the left pane.
- On the right pane, select Optional features.
- Scroll down and search for XPS Viewer.
- Select XPS Viewer, then hit the Uninstall button.
Method 2: Using PowerShell to remove XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Right-click on the Windows icon or Start menu.
- Open Powershell as administrators. Click Windows Powershell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Copy and paste or type the following command: DISM /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
- Hit Enter, then wait for the process to be completed.
Method 3: Using DISM to remove XPS Viewer in Windows 10
- Right-click on the Windows icon or Start menu.
- Click Command Prompt (Admin).
- Copy and paste or type in the following command: DISM /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
- Hit Enter, then wait for the process to be completed.
Checking if XPS Viewer is installed
- Option 1: Open XPS Viewer using Windows search bar.
- Option 2: Using PowerShell or Command Prompt:
- Right-click the Windows Start menu. Select PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type in the following command: DISM /Online /Get-Capabilities /Format:Table
- This will display a list of optional features and their status.
- Find XPS Viewer in the list and check their status:
- Installed → XPS Viewer is available.
- Not Present → XPS Viewer is not installed.
Troubleshooting XPS Viewer installation/removal issues
XPS Viewer missing from Optional Features
If XPS Viewer isn’t available as an optional feature, you can install it manually using PowerShell or DISM.
- Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run the following command:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
XPS Viewer installation fails with error messages
Since XPS Viewer isn’t included by default in newer Windows 10 versions, checking for updates under Windows Update settings will ensure that your system supports XPS Viewer and can install it. You may also confirm if XPS Viewer is installable on your Windows by checking its availability under Optional Features.
XPS files not opening after installation
If XPS files aren’t opening after installing XPS Viewer, you can confirm if it’s installed correctly under Optional Features in settings.
Another solution on how to view XPS documents is by setting XPS Viewer as the default by right-clicking any XPS file, then clicking Open with > Choose another app > XPS Viewer and checking the Always use this app to open .xps files button.
XPS Viewer Uninstall option greyed out
If the XPS Viewer Uninstall option is greyed out in Settings, Windows could be blocking the action. You may take ownership of that uninstaller file by opening Command Prompt as an Administrator and assign permissions using the command line:
- takeown /f C:\Windows\System32\XPSViewer.exe
This will give file ownership to the current user. To grant full permissions to Administrators, run the following command:
- icacls C:\Windows\System32\XPSViewer.exe /grant administrators:F
After taking full ownership and setting permissions, you may uninstall XPS Viewer via PowerShell or DISM as instructed above.
Best practices for managing Windows Optional Features
Only install XPS Viewer when required to avoid unnecessary bloat
Since XPS Viewer is no longer pre-installed in newer Windows 10 versions, you may not install it if you don’t need it. Avoiding unnecessary installation can keep your Windows system lightweight.
Use Powershell/DISM for quicker XPS Viewer management
For faster management of Windows Optional Features like XPS Viewer, maximize PowerShell or DISM. These commands will ensure a more efficient installation and removal of XPS Viewer.
Consider using third-party PDF viewers
There are many modern third-party PDF viewers that you can use to view and manage XPS files. Exploring these options will remove the need to manually install Windows XPS Viewer, which can result in reduced system load.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is an XPS file and why is it used?
XPS (XML Paper Specification) file is a digital document format created by Microsoft. It’s similar to a PDF file and preserves a document’s layout, fonts, and style, ensuring consistency regardless of the device, operating system, or printer used to access it.
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Can I still print XPS files without XPS Viewer?
Yes, there are several ways to print XPS files without XPS Viewer. First, you can use Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW) to convert the XPS file to PDF. Second, you can use third-party software to convert the file to PDF. Third, use third-party XPS Viewers to print XPS files.
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Is there an alternative to XPS Viewer?
Yes, there are alternatives that can manage and read XPS files in Windows 10, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, MuPDF, etc.
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Why did Microsoft remove XPS Viewer from default Windows installations?
XPS Viewer is Microsoft’s version of a PDF reader. However, by the time XPS was introduced, PDFs were already widely used. While XPS Viewer has useful features, it lacks the flexibility of other PDF viewers. Plus, to keep Windows lighter and more efficient, Microsoft made XPS Viewer optional.
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Does installing XPS Viewer impact system performance?
Yes, installing XPS Viewer may have a minimal impact on system performance. Accessing large or complex files through XPS Viewer may require more memory that can cause your Windows to slow down. Moreover, loaded corrupt XPS files can result in high CPU usage that causes hangs or crashes.
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How to open a .xps file in Windows?
To view a .xps file in Windows, enable XPS Viewer through Settings > Apps > Optional Features. You can also use third-party software that supports XPS files or upload the file to Google Drive for online viewing.
Managing Microsoft XPS Viewer in Windows 10
Easily manage XPS Viewer through Settings via Optional Features. If that doesn’t work, PowerShell or DISM offer efficient alternatives by running commands. While XPS Viewer is now optional in newer Windows 10 versions, some users may still prefer it for XPS-specific features. Before installing, consider whether XPS Viewer is essential for your workflow or if a more versatile solution would better suit your needs.
The XPS file format was developed by Microsoft as opposed to the PDF file format. It is quite possible that many of you have encountered an XPS file that cannot be used, or even opened. For those who wish to create or use XPS documents, this post may prove useful for understanding what XPS is, what XPS Viewer is, and how to use it.
Table of Contents
You may have tried using an XML file, but are unable to open it since your operating system does not find a supporting application, and may see something like this:
Allow us to shed some light on what XPS is all about.
What is XPS file
XPS stands for XML Paper Specification. Microsoft developed this format in order to compete with Portable Document Format (PDF). However, it was not as popular as expected. The XML documents can contain regular text as well as additional information about the content, such as its layout and appearance.
The purpose behind the creation of XPS was to eliminate the use of paper in an attempt by Microsoft to go green.
An XPS file may have an extension .xps or .oxps (OpenXPS).
What is XPS Viewer
XPS Viewer is a free-to-use application by Microsoft for using and viewing XPS files and documents. It used to come preinstalled with Windows 10 up until version 1803 was released. Since it was not in demand, it was given as an optional application that users can install manually when and if required.
With XPS Viewer, you can save copies of a file, digitally sign them, manage permissions, and search through them. The application supports a number of file formats:
- .XPS
- .OXPS
Download and Install XPS Viewer on Windows 11/10
Installing the XPS Viewer on Windows 11 and 10 is pretty much the same; some layouts may be a bit different.
Here is how you can install XPS Viewer on Windows 11:
You have now successfully installed XPS Viewer.
How to use XPS Viewer
You can launch the application by searching for it in Windows Search, or the Start menu.
Alternatively, you can also type in xpsrchvw in Run or Command Prompt to launch XPS Viewer.
To open an XPS document, click on File from the top menu in the XPS Viewer, and click Open. You can then browse the saved XPS file and select it to open it in XPS Viewer.
Once a document is open, you can then save its copies, or change its permissions by clicking on the Permissions menu from the top, and then clicking Set permissions.
You can also convert an XPS file to PDF format. To do so, simply click on the Print button at the top of the app, and then select Print to PDF. Click OK to save the document as a PDF file.
Since XPS Viewer is a tiny application, it cannot do much of anything else, except for what we have already discussed.
How to remove XPS Viewer
If you are no longer in need of the XPS Viewer, you can just as easily remove it from your computer. Here is how:
- Open the Settings app, click App on the left, and then click Optional features on the right side of the window. Here, scroll down and click on XPS Viewer in the right-side pane. Once expanded, click Uninstall.
- The XPS Viewer app will then be immediately uninstalled. You can confirm this by running through the installed applications list on the Optional features page.
Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW)
Microsoft XPS Document Writer is another hidden gem in both Windows 11 and 10. Similar to the method of creating a PDF document while printing and selecting the option Print to PDF, MXDW provides the same option, but for XPS.
This feature has to be enabled manually through Optional Features. To do so, type in appwiz.cpl in Run, and then click Turn Windows features on or off on the left.
In the pop-up window, scroll down and check the box next to “Microsoft XPS Document Writer,” then click Ok.
MXDW will now be installed in a few seconds. You should now be able to see the option to Print to XPS on the print pages, which you can select to save files in .xps format.
In case you8 ever feel like turning off the feature, simply uncheck the box next to “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” on the Windows Features page.
XPS Viewer alternatives
There are other methods available on the internet that can be used instead of XPS Viewer. Some are applications that can be installed, whilst others provide an online web view.
GroupDocs
GroupDocs is a quick and free online tool to help you view your XPS and OXPS files. All that is required is for you to drag and drop your file, and it will convert and display it for you.
To use GroupDocs, open their webpage in any browser and simply drop your file over the given area.
SumatraPDF
SumatraPDF is a downloadable application that can be used to view almost any document. This includes .xps, .oxps, and .pdf.
Google Drive
Google Drive is an excellent tool as it also supports XPS formatting. All you need to do is upload the file to Google Drive and you can then view it easily.
Open Google Drive, click New, and then click File Upload from the drop-down menu.
Now browse to upload the XPS file. Once uploaded, click on it to view it within the browser directly from Google Drive.
Verdict
Not many people use the XPS format anymore. However, there can be certain scenarios where you already have an XPS document but have no idea how to access its content.
We hope that this blog post helps you understand everything there is to know about XPS and its associated applications.
XPS Viewer is an application that lets you view XPS and OXPS documents. However, it has a problem with Windows 10. If you want to install this application on your PC, you have to follow the steps below. First, you need to open the settings in Windows 10. Next, you need to click on the Apps tab and then choose Optional Features. Finally, you need to go to the Add a feature section. Search for XPS Viewer in the search bar. When you find it, click the install button. Once the installation process is complete, you should be able to open any XPS or OXPS file.
To install XPS Viewer on Windows 10 using Powershell, open the Power User menu. Select the option PowerShell (Admin). Now, select Windows Accessories and then select the XPS Viewer from there. If you cannot find the XPS Viewer in the list of Windows Accessories, go to Start >Windows Accessories and select Install Software. Once the installation is complete, launch XPS Viewer to see if it can open the OXPS file.
If you’d like to install XPS Viewer on Windows 10, you’ve come to the right place. If you’ve tried installing it through the Windows Update process or CMD, but have run into an error message, you need to know how to install it using Powershell. Luckily, you can do this with just a few mouse clicks and a few minutes.
First, you must first open PowerShell (Admin) by right-clicking on the Windows button and selecting “run as administrator”. Then, you can add or remove the XPS Viewer by running the corresponding commands in the elevated command prompt. Once you have installed it, you can also test it by launching it and opening an OXPS file to see if it works.
Once you have successfully installed the XPS Viewer, you can open XPS files with Windows’ PDF reader. In order to install XPS Viewer, you must enable it through the Settings app. Then, you must go to the “Apps & Features” tab. Next, select “Optional features” and “XPS Viewer.” Once this is done, you will have the program available for viewing.
How Do I Enable XPS Viewer in Windows 10 20H2?
If you’re using Windows 10, you may be wondering how to enable the XPS viewer. Microsoft has been working on a document format called XPS to replace the popular PDF file format. This format uses various extensions and can be edited in many different ways. If you’re using Windows 10, you can easily enable the XPS viewer by installing it through PowerShell or CMD.
Getting started with the command line is simple and can be done by following the instructions below. After you’ve successfully downloaded the XPS viewer, run the program to enable it. You must be an administrator to run this command. Alternatively, you can use a text editor to view the file. If you prefer a different program to the XPS viewer, you can try installing it from the Command Prompt.
To enable XPS viewer in Windows 10, you can go to Settings. Click on the Settings app and click on the Features tab. From here, you can choose to enable or disable optional features. You can also disable Windows features using the command line. Be sure to restart the computer after you’ve done so. You can also view details about the features by typing the command below.
How Do I Install an XPS File?
The XPS file extension is used to save and file documents. This format was introduced with Windows Vista and has been a popular choice for printing and storing documents for the past few years. However, there are some disadvantages associated with the format. You may be wondering whether it is worth downloading. Here are some things to consider before you download it. You will need to install a program that can read the format before you can open it.
XPS is a file format that was introduced with Windows Vista in 2007. The advantage of XPS over PDF is enhanced portability. Nonetheless, XPS was never particularly popular. That’s why Microsoft abandoned it with Windows 10’s version 1803 update. So, how can you install an XPS file on Windows 10? Luckily, Powershell can help. In this article, we’ll explore a few ways you can do so.
How Do I Download Microsoft XPS Viewer?
Adding XPS Viewer is easy in Windows 10. Click on the Start button, type “xpps” in the search tool text box, and check the checkbox next to it. Select the Add a feature option on the right, and then select XPS Viewer. After the installation completes, you can open the XPS or OXPS file.
XPS is an XML Paper Specification file format. It was released with the Windows Vista update in 2007. Unlike PDF, XPS did not have many users. As a result, Microsoft canceled the XPS format with the Windows 10 version 1803 update. You can now open XPS documents with Microsoft Word or other word processing programs. You can also open XPS documents in Windows File Explorer.
To install the XPS Viewer, first make sure that you have a working Internet connection. If your device is not connected to the Internet, you will need to restart it. If you’ve downloaded the app and installed it, you can name the file and save it as a PDF. The file will be ready to use as soon as you reboot. And, if you have problems using the program, you can always convert it to PDF.
Is XPS Viewer Available in Windows 10?
To open XPS files on Windows 10, you need an XPS viewer. This software used to be installed as part of Windows 10, but you can manually install it if you don’t see it listed. If you use Adobe Photoshop to create your XPS files, you can then use the viewer to open them and rename them. It is essential to have the correct XPS viewer installed in order to use Photoshop to open XPS files.
If you want to use XPS viewer on your PC, you must enable certification before installing the software. To do this, visit the Start Menu and type “xpps viewer.” Then, click on the icon and open an XPS file. If you do not see an XPS viewer icon on your desktop, you can go to the Settings app and search for it. If it doesn’t appear, you can manually add it by clicking on the Add feature button.
Where is XPS Viewer EXE?
The XPS viewer is an application that allows you to view and print XPS documents. The XPS file format was first introduced with Windows Vista and shares many technologies with the PDF format. The XPS file format is similar to the PDF file format and can be opened with the XPS viewer in Windows 10. To download the newest version of XPS viewer for Windows, visit Microsoft’s website.
To install the newest version of XPS viewer for Windows 10, you must first enable it. This should take some time, but the program will then be installed. You can also install the software manually if you’ve installed Windows 10 from the Update Center or from disc. This article will walk you through the process step-by-step. Once you’ve installed the XPS viewer, you can open and edit XPS files.
If you can’t find the XPS viewer on your computer, try using a command line. You can find the PowerShell command in Start menu > Administrative Tools. Type xpsviewer.exe in the command window and hit Enter. Once the program is installed, run the application to see if it can open OXPS files. After you’ve installed the program, be sure to activate the Internet.
What Program Opens XPS?
If you’ve been wondering what program opens XPS on Windows 10, you’ve come to the right place. There are three main ways to open XPS files on Windows 10: XPS Viewer, Adobe Reader, and the built-in XPS Viewer. All three will open the XPS document in a similar way. The File, Permissions, and Outline Pane tools are all on the toolbar. There are also several ways to View the document.
The XPS file format is similar to PDF in its page layout information and is designed to look the same on all devices. However, finding an XPS viewer can be a challenge. Microsoft includes a built-in XPS viewer, but you may also need a free program from the internet. Google Drive, for example, has support for XPS conversion, as do many XPS to PDF conversion websites.
Another option is to open the XPS viewer using the Command Prompt, a Windows app. This app is similar to Run, but it contains a plethora of command line tools. You can open XPS Viewer by typing the xpsrchvw command in the Command Prompt. After typing the command, the program will open. Alternatively, you can right-click the XPS file and choose a different application for the conversion.
Learn More Here:
1.) Windows Help Center
2.) Windows – Wikipedia
3.) Windows Blog
4.) Windows Central
The possibility and ease that computers offer write, correct, sort and share written documents it is simply amazing and convenient, managing to generate a clean and error-free structure that can be handled by anyone in a format that can be modified to one’s liking.
However, there are many ways to view the different types of documents, but a new creation that emerged based on Microsoft in 2008 was the XPS format, which aims to be a competition to the famous PDF format and tries to be a universal viewer of any type of document, which allows you to transform your documents into a printed format that cannot be edited
How to install XPS Viewer using DISM command?
If you are one of those who like to try new software or like to catch up with the new trends, you can try the XPS viewer that Microsoft offers and that we can easily install on our Windows system, for this we will only have to follow the following steps:
- We will go to the taskbar of our desktop and we will write in the search bar CMD, then we will enter the command window that opens.
- In this window we insert the following code: dism / online / Add-Capablity / CapablityName: XPS.Viewer ~~~~ 0.0.1.0
- Then, we will press Enter.
Once this is done, the XPS viewer will be automatically installed in our operating system and we will be able to view, convert, edit or create any XPS document without the need for Microsoft Office.
What is the way to download XPS Viewer from Windows Update instead of WSUS?
In case we cannot install XPS from the Windows CMD, we also have the option to use the Windows Update service, which offers us another alternative that will allow us to install the XPS viewer on our computer, for which we will just have to follow the steps below:
- We will press the button Windows together with R and we will enter the command gpedit.msc in the window that opens.
- Then, we will proceed to go to Computer Configuration, log in to Administrative models and finally System.
- In the panel that appears on the right, we will click on Specify the settings for installation and repair of optional components.
- We will change the status to enabled and check the box named Download repair content and optional features directly from Windows Update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
How can I troubleshoot the installation of the XPS Viewer?
It may happen that, at the time of installation, various problems arise that make the installation of the XPS viewer impossible. While it is not common for these to manifest, here are some solutions you can try for ensure the installation of the XPS viewer on your computer:
Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft XPS Document Writer
If an installation error occurs, it is likely associated with a download error or a bug generated during installation, so you will need to uninstall the application and reapply some of the installation processes.
How to configure the XPS file once installed?
Once our XPS viewer is installed, we believe it would be necessary to make changes so that it suits our tastes, but being a viewer doesn’t have great options to edit.
The main options that will allow us to access the program window will be to open an XPS file, create an XPS file, print an XPS file and index an XPS file and other features such as converting XPS files to Word that we can find better explained in Microsoft support.