Several free desktop applications can open XPS files without needing the XPS Viewer.
If a user frequently works with XPS files and wishes for a more dedicated experience, they can enable the XPS Viewer application through the Windows Features menu. Unlike in older versions of Windows where this app was pre-installed, Windows 11 treats it as an optional feature. To activate it, the user must open the Settings app, navigate to System, and then select Optional Features. From there, they can click "View features" next to "Add an optional feature" and search for "XPS Viewer." Once the installation is complete, the XPS Viewer app will be available as a standalone program, offering a more traditional interface similar to a dedicated PDF reader, complete with navigation panes and print options. how to open xps files in windows 11
For users who have no desire to view XPS files and simply need the content in a more accessible format, conversion is the most practical long-term solution. Since XPS is a deprecated format, converting the file to PDF ensures compatibility with virtually any modern device. This can be achieved using online conversion tools such as CloudConvert or Zamzar, where the user uploads the XPS file and downloads a PDF version. For those concerned with privacy who prefer offline solutions, specialized software like GD Software’s XPS-to-PDF converters can handle the task locally. Several free desktop applications can open XPS files