XPS files are formatted documents like PDF files, except open source. Windows Vista includes an XPS reader, so you should be able to view it just by double-clicking the file in Explorer.
Unless you have Firefox installed. Then, Windows Vista will try and open it in Firefox, which will prompt you repeatedly asking how to deal with the file.
To view the XPS file, follow these steps:
- Save the XPS file to your computer.
- Start Internet Explorer.
- Then, press the Alt key on your keyboard, click File, and then click Open.
- Click the Browse button, select your file, and then click OK.
- Click Open.
Internet Explorer will prompt you to open a new window. Open it up, and you can view the file.
For earlier versions of the Windows operating system, download the Microsoft XPS Document Writer to generate XPS files from any Windows application and an XPS viewer to see the results. You’ll probably need some other components, too, like the .NET Framework 3.0 (who’s using that? :) )
Tou can set IE/ as default program for .xps file, instead of Xps viewer. It works for me
thanks alot….
Thanks a lot …. for this post of opening an .xps extension file in vista
The best way to open xps files with firefox is to use the IETab extension for firefox. Install this then configure it to open xps files from tools->ietab options. They then open in an IE tab within firefox without having to switch browser!!
Sluggy’s suggestion works like a charm. Just add “file://*.xps” to the ietab configuration and you’re done. Thanks sluggy.
Thanku for that extra information,(file://*.xps) to make xps work in IE tabs+ for firefox, or else I’d of had no idea how to complete the task.
Awesomely easy! Have a great day! Rich
My good man, Thank you so much for this important, and easy, solution to the Vista operating with Firefox browser conflict when attempting to open an XPS file. Solution, simply switch browser to IE to open file – awesome! This aided me in a big way for an important work deadline – my great thanks to you!
awesome, helped me a lot to opening a XPS file! That firefox was a confusing pattern but now I got it! You help me look at my modeling pictures.
For XPS Viewer, i use XPS Annotator, this tool is awesome because can annotate, convert, sign and adding document properties to my XPS documents.
Didn’t work. I still get a message that asks me what program to use to open the file. Sorry, bad advice.
Thanks! That was extremely handy. :) I appreciate it.
Very helpful, thank you.
This worked perfectly. Thanks so much for posting!
Thanks I a appreciate your suggestion for .XPS document..
If some one have problem I really recommended you.. Thanks lot..
Many thanks – saved a lot of what I thought was wasted work.
Cool. IE can something what mozila or Chrome can’t do it.
No good. I still get a message saying that my “current security settinge will not allow this file to be downloaded”, even though the file is on my C: drive, and XPS documents IS enabled in the security tab, and my security settings are on the LOWEST setting!
Thanks a lot! You solved my problem ;)
Thank you you saved my time and solved my all xps doc problems
Thanks a lot.. Its Wworking
worked.. great… thanks a lot