The XPS format is Microsoft's alternative to PDF. Information technology was introduced in Windows Vista, but never gained much traction. Even so, modern versions of Windows go along to include better support for XPS files than PDF files.

Once regarded as a possible "PDF killer," the XPS file format now lives on in Windows seemingly out of sheer inertia. The average person should stay away from XPS files and use PDF files instead.

Notation:If yous're using Windows 10, they've finally added congenital-in support for printing to PDF files, then you volition hopefully never demand to deal with an XPS format file once more. Continue reading the following for posterity and use PDF instead of XPS.

What's an XPS File?

Retrieve of an XPS file like a PDF (or PostScript) file. An XPS file represents a certificate with a fixed layout, just as a PDF file does. XPS also includes support for other features that you'd detect in PDF, like digital signatures and DRM.

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XPS is now technically a standardized, open format – information technology stands for Open XML Paper Specification. XPS is an open format in the same way "Office Open XML" is an open, standardized format for Microsoft Office documents. Other software companies haven't jumped to include XPS support.

Past default, Windows eight uses the OXPS file extension for XPS files it generates. OXPS stands for OpenXPS – it'south the standardized version of the original XPS format. It's actually not compatible with the XPS Viewer included with Windows vii, and so you have to catechumen OXPS files to XPS if you want to view them on Windows 7.

In short, an XPS file is Microsoft'south less-uniform version of a PDF file.

XPS Functionality Included With Windows

Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 all include built-in XPS tools. Even Windows viii has better back up for XPS files than information technology does for PDFs.

  • Microsoft XPS Document Writer: Microsoft installs a virtual printer named "Microsoft XPS Certificate Writer." This printer creates XPS files from documents you print to it. It'south like a "print to PDF" feature, but less useful because it's non as compatible with other software.
  • XPS Viewer: The included XPS Viewer application allows yous to view XPS documents on your desktop.

While Windows eight touts ameliorate back up for PDFs because of its Modern "Reader" app, you volition need a 3rd-political party app if yous want to view PDF files on the desktop or print to PDF files.

When Should You Employ XPS Files?

While XPS was regarded as a possible "PDF killer" when information technology was included with Windows Vista six years ago, it never became very pop. Even though Windows prods its users into printing to XPS files rather than PDF files by including the XPS Document Author printer, few users seem to create XPS files.

Information technology's unclear why yous'd actually desire to create an XPS file instead of a PDF file, unless y'all need to print a document to a file and can't install a PDF printer. Microsoft has certainly not been making a case for XPS files being better than PDF files and has been silent on whatsoever reason to use them in contempo years. In fact, Windows 8's inclusion of a PDF viewer can exist seen as Microsoft taking a step back, introducing support for a competing document format.

While the advantages of printing to XPS files are unclear, the disadvantages are fairly clear. The world has largely standardized on PDF files, while XPS files remain little-used. If you're trying to send someone a document, you lot can bet they'll be familiar with PDF files and volition exist able to open up it. An XPS file may wait unfamiliar and the recipient may not be able to open the file. For example, Macs don't include built-in XPS file support, but they do include built-in PDF support. Many other programs may support PDF files, but won't back up XPS files. There are third-party viewer applications that tin read XPS files, but support is nowhere near equally common.

In summary, you probably don't want to use XPS files for your personal documents. XPS seems neglected, like another Microsoft engineering introduced around the aforementioned time: Silverlight. Silverlight was supposed to be Microsoft's "Wink killer," only it'due south now being set aside. Just every bit Silverlight failed to replace Flash, XPS tin't seem to supervene upon PDF.

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