FormatPeek

How to open an XPS file

Open an XPS document in your browser or enable Microsoft’s optional XPS Viewer on Windows.

Claire Bennett, FormatPeek editorial persona
FormatPeek Editorial TeamPresented by Claire Bennett, editorial personaPublished September 10, 2026 · Updated September 10, 2026
Private by designYour XPS file is opened locally in this browser and is never uploaded to our server.
example.xps1 page
1 / 1
Northstar Labs — Project BriefQ4 Product Launch · September 2026Launch overviewThe team is preparing the updated customer portal for an October 14 launch.Current statusTimeline approved · Security review complete · Launch readiness 82%Next steps1. Confirm customer support owners2. Complete final copy review3. Schedule executive launch update

Open XPS online

  1. Drop the XPS or OXPS file into the viewer above.
  2. Move between pages with the arrow controls.
  3. Zoom in to inspect small text and graphics.

The file stays on your device during this process.

Enable XPS Viewer in Windows

Open Windows Settings, search for Optional features, choose to add a feature, then search for and install XPS Viewer. The exact labels can vary between Windows versions and managed company devices.

What is an XPS file?

XPS is Microsoft’s fixed-layout document format. Like PDF, it preserves page size and placement for viewing and printing. OXPS is the newer OpenXPS variation.

Why might a page look different?

XPS can include embedded fonts, complex vector brushes and print-specific features. A lightweight browser viewer may substitute fonts or omit unsupported effects; use Microsoft XPS Viewer when exact print fidelity is required.