XPS files are Microsoft's alternative to PDF files, and by default they can only be viewed using the XPS Viewer, which is part of the Microsoft. NET system on Windows computers. The XPS Viewer is only installed on computers with Windows Vista and later, which means that you will need to install the Microsoft. NET Framework on systems with earlier versions of Windows. If you are using Mac OS X, you can use the online XPS-PDF converter or install third-party software.
Necessary
XPS-to-PDF converter
Instructions
Step 1
Windows Vista and later
Double click the XPS file you want to open. The file will automatically open and appear in a new window of your internet browser. If the file does not open, the XPS Viewer may be disabled. Follow the steps below to enable XPS Viewer.
Click "Start" and select "Control Panel". This will open a control panel window.
Click Programs and select Turn Windows Features On or Off. This will open the Windows Properties dialog box.
Click on the plus sign to the left of Microsoft. NET Framework. This will display additional options. If Microsoft. NET Framework is not listed, follow the steps in Method Two to install the program on your computer.
Place a check mark next to XPS Viewer, then click OK. You should now be able to open XPS files with the XPS Viewer.
Step 2
Previous versions of Windows
Go to the Microsoft Download Center at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=22. This page provides software for Microsoft. NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
Click the Download button, then select Run
Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program. When finished, the XPS Viewer will turn on
Double click the XPS file you want to open. The file will automatically open and appear in a new window of your internet browser.
Step 3
Using the online XPS-to-PDF converter
Open your internet browser and search for an online XPS-PDF converter.
Follow the onscreen instructions to convert your XPS document to PDF. The selected XPS document will now be converted to PDF and saved on your computer.
Step 4
Installing Third-Party XPS-to-PDF Software (Mac OS X)
Open the Applications folder and launch the App Store on your Mac.
Enter “xps to pdf” in the search box at the top right corner of the App Store. The list of XPS-PDF converter applications appears on the screen.
Select the option to purchase or install the program of your choice. Examples of free converter programs are XPS-to-PDF Lite and XPSView Lite.
Follow the instructions on the screen to install the converter software on your computer.
Launch the converter software when the installation is complete, then follow the onscreen instructions to convert your XPS document to PDF. You will now be able to view XPS documents on your Mac.
