How to Convert XPS to PDF: Every Method Explained
XPS (XML Paper Specification) is Microsoft's alternative to PDF, introduced with Windows Vista. While XPS files can be opened using Windows' built-in XPS Viewer, most people prefer PDF for sharing documents because it's universally supported across all operating systems, devices, and applications. If you've received an XPS file and need to share it as a PDF, or if you're dealing with legacy XPS documents generated by older Windows applications, converting to PDF is straightforward. Windows itself offers built-in tools to do this, and free software and online converters are available for Mac users or anyone who needs more options. This guide covers every method for converting XPS to PDF: using the built-in Windows print-to-PDF feature, Microsoft XPS Viewer, online conversion tools, and desktop software. By the end, you'll be able to convert any XPS file to PDF quickly, regardless of what operating system you're using.
Method 1: Convert XPS to PDF on Windows 10/11
Windows has native tools to open and print XPS files, making conversion straightforward without installing any additional software. Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in 'Microsoft Print to PDF' printer driver. When you open an XPS file and print to this virtual printer, it generates a PDF. This method is completely free, requires no installation, and preserves the visual layout of the document. The XPS Viewer is included in Windows but may need to be enabled. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features and check if 'XPS Viewer' is listed. If not, click 'Add a feature' and install it. In Windows 11, the XPS Viewer is available through Optional Features the same way. Another Windows-native approach is to open the XPS file in Microsoft Edge, which has built-in XPS rendering support. From Edge, you can print directly to Microsoft Print to PDF. This approach works well for simple documents and doesn't require enabling any additional Windows features.
- 1Right-click the XPS file and choose 'Open with > XPS Viewer' (or open Microsoft Edge and drag the XPS file into it).
- 2Once the file opens, press Ctrl+P to open the Print dialog.
- 3In the Printer dropdown, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF'.
- 4Click Print — a Save As dialog will appear asking where to save the PDF.
- 5Choose your destination folder, enter a filename, and click Save.
- 6The PDF file will be created at your chosen location — open it in any PDF reader to verify.
Method 2: Convert XPS to PDF on Mac
Macs don't have native XPS support, so you need a third-party tool or online converter to handle the conversion. **NiXPS** is a dedicated Mac application for working with XPS files. It can open, view, and export XPS files to PDF. The free version has some limitations but handles basic conversions well. The paid version ($99) includes batch conversion and advanced features. **LibreOffice** (free, open-source) can open XPS files on Mac. After installing LibreOffice, open the XPS file with LibreOffice Draw, then export it as PDF via File > Export as PDF. Quality may vary depending on the complexity of the XPS document. **Online converters** are the simplest option for Mac users who need occasional conversions. Upload the XPS file, receive a PDF. Many free online converters support XPS input, though you should be cautious about uploading sensitive documents to third-party servers. For users who regularly deal with XPS files on Mac, NiXPS or a similar dedicated tool provides the most reliable results, especially for complex documents with multiple pages and embedded resources.
Method 3: Batch Convert Multiple XPS Files
If you have many XPS files to convert, doing them one by one is time-consuming. Several tools support batch XPS-to-PDF conversion. **On Windows**, you can use PowerShell to automate batch printing to Microsoft Print to PDF. This requires some scripting knowledge but works for large volumes. **XPS2PDF desktop software**: Several dedicated conversion programs support batch XPS processing. Look for tools like 'XPS to PDF Converter' on Windows that accept folder input and convert all XPS files at once. **LibreOffice command line**: LibreOffice supports headless (no GUI) operation from the command line, allowing batch conversion. The command is: `soffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.xps` — this converts all XPS files in the current directory to PDF. **Online batch converters**: Some online tools accept multiple files. Results quality varies between services, and most free tiers limit file size or number of files per batch. For IT departments managing legacy document archives that contain XPS files, a scripted approach using LibreOffice or PowerShell on a Windows server is the most scalable solution.
- 1Install LibreOffice on your Windows or Mac machine.
- 2Open a Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt/PowerShell (Windows).
- 3Navigate to the folder containing your XPS files using 'cd /path/to/folder'.
- 4Run: soffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.xps (Linux/Mac) or 'C:\Program Files\LibreOffice\program\soffice.exe' --headless --convert-to pdf *.xps (Windows).
- 5Wait for conversion to complete — PDF files will be created in the same folder.
- 6Review the output PDFs to verify quality, especially for complex multi-page documents.
Why XPS Files Are Rare Today
XPS was Microsoft's attempt to create a cross-platform document format to compete with PDF. Introduced in 2006 with Windows Vista, it was built into Windows printing infrastructure. Documents printed to the XPS printer driver created .xps files, and the XPS Viewer was included with Windows. However, XPS never gained widespread adoption outside of Windows. Adobe's PDF format had a decade-long head start and universal support. Software vendors, printers, and web browsers all built PDF support rather than XPS. XPS remained a Windows-only curiosity. Microsoft quietly deprecated XPS in Windows 10, removing the XPS printer driver as a default option and replacing it with 'Microsoft Print to PDF' — which produces PDF files. Windows 11 continues this trend, with XPS support available only as an optional feature. Today, XPS files are mostly encountered in legacy document archives, files generated by old Windows systems, or documents from specific Windows software that used XPS as its native format. Converting these archives to PDF is a sensible long-term preservation strategy, since PDF support will remain universal while XPS support is gradually disappearing from modern operating systems. If you're archiving old XPS documents, use the highest-quality conversion method available (XPS Viewer print-to-PDF on Windows) to ensure faithful reproduction of the original layout and content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is XPS and PDF the same thing?
No. Both are page description formats designed to preserve document layout across different systems, but they are distinct formats with different internal structures. XPS uses XML and ZIP packaging, while PDF uses Adobe's proprietary format. XPS is primarily a Windows format with limited cross-platform support, while PDF is universally supported on all operating systems, browsers, and devices. For sharing documents, PDF is the better choice.
Does converting XPS to PDF lose any quality?
Using Windows' built-in XPS Viewer with Microsoft Print to PDF preserves the original document quality closely. The conversion is essentially a reprint of the document at its original resolution. However, some complex formatting elements, color profiles, or embedded fonts might render slightly differently. For critical documents, always open the output PDF and compare it visually with the original XPS to check for any discrepancies.
Can I open an XPS file on a phone or tablet?
There is very limited native support for XPS on mobile devices. iOS and Android don't include XPS viewers. Some third-party apps can open XPS files, but coverage is spotty. For reliable mobile access, convert the XPS file to PDF first — every mobile operating system includes a PDF viewer or can open PDFs in a browser.
What if my XPS file won't open even on Windows?
If XPS Viewer isn't installed, Windows can't open XPS files directly. Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features and add 'XPS Viewer'. If the file is corrupt, an online XPS recovery or conversion tool may help. Some older XPS files may have compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows. In that case, try opening the XPS file in an older Windows VM or use a third-party tool like NiXPS.