Need to print a document in Windows without sending it directly to a physical printer? The Microsoft XPS Document Writer can help. It lets you create an XPS (XML Paper Specification) file from an application’s Print menu, preserving the document’s page layout, fonts, and formatting for viewing or sharing.
Windows has offered XPS printing support for years, but its availability can vary by Windows version and installed features. If you cannot find Microsoft XPS Document Writer in your printer list, you may need to enable the relevant Windows feature or add the printer manually.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to install the XPS printer in Windows 10 or Windows 11, enable the required feature, print a document to an XPS file, and troubleshoot common problems.
Note: One important distinction: printing to an XPS file is not the same as printing on paper. The XPS printer creates a digital document. You can then open that file in a compatible viewer or share it with someone else.
Install XPS Printer in Windows and Print XPS Document
Follow these Quick Steps:
- Open Settings in Windows and navigate to Optional features or Windows Features, depending on your Windows version.
- Check whether Microsoft XPS Document Writer or the relevant XPS feature is available. Enable it if necessary.
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers and check whether Microsoft XPS Document Writer appears.
- If it is missing, use the available Windows printer or feature installation options to restore it.
- Open the document you want to print, press Ctrl + P, select Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and click Print.
- Choose a folder, enter a filename, and save the document as an .oxps or .xps file, depending on the installed version and configuration.
Note: Windows versions and configurations differ, so you might not see every XPS-related option listed below. If a feature is unavailable, use the troubleshooting steps rather than downloading a printer driver from an unfamiliar website.
Step 1: Check Whether Microsoft XPS Document Writer Is Already Installed
Before installing anything, check whether Windows already has the XPS printer. You may not need to make any system changes if the printer is already available.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type the following command and press Enter:
control printers
This opens the Devices and Printers window in Control Panel on Windows versions that support this view. Look through the list of available printers for Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
If you find it, the printer is already installed, and you can skip to the printing steps. If it is missing, continue to the next step to check Windows features.
You can also open Settings from the Start menu and navigate to the printer settings to review your installed devices.
Step 2: Check Windows Features for XPS Support
The next step is to check whether the XPS-related Windows feature is available on your computer. The exact feature name and availability can differ between Windows editions and releases.
Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures.exe, and press Enter. Windows opens the Turn Windows features on or off dialog.
Look for an entry related to Microsoft XPS Document Writer or XPS Services, if available. Do not assume these names refer to exactly the same component: XPS Services supports XPS-related functionality, while Microsoft XPS Document Writer is the virtual printer used to create files.
If the relevant printer feature is listed and unchecked, select it and click OK. Allow Windows to apply the change. If Windows asks you to restart, save your work and restart the computer.
If you cannot find the printer feature, do not worry. Some Windows installations manage optional features differently, and the printer may need to be added through another supported method.
Step 3: Check Optional Features in Windows Settings
On some Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations, optional components can be managed through Settings rather than the classic Windows Features dialog.
Open Settings from the Start menu. In Windows 11, navigate to System > Optional features. In Windows 10, look under Apps > Apps & features > Optional features, although the exact layout may differ depending on your version.
Review the installed optional features and look for an XPS-related component. If Windows offers a relevant component that is missing, select the option to add or install it and follow the on-screen instructions.
Keep in mind that installing XPS Services does not necessarily install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer printer queue. If the printer is still missing after enabling an available feature, continue by checking the printer management options.
Step 4: Add the XPS Printer Through Printer Settings
If Microsoft XPS Document Writer is not listed, check whether Windows can add it through the printer setup interface.
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 11. In Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Select Add device or Add a printer or scanner, depending on the version. Wait for Windows to search for available printers. If the XPS printer appears, select it and follow the prompts to install it.
If it does not appear, look for an option such as Add manually or The printer that I want isn’t listed. The wording varies by Windows version.
Do not select an unrelated physical printer or download a random driver simply to make the installation proceed. If Microsoft XPS Document Writer is unavailable, first confirm whether the required Windows component is supported on your installation. A manually added printer may require an appropriate driver that is already available in Windows.
Step 5: Confirm That the XPS Printer Is Available
After enabling the feature or completing the installation process, verify that the printer appears in Windows.
Open the printer list again by pressing Windows + R, entering control printers, and pressing Enter. Look for Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
If it appears, select it to view its available options. Depending on your Windows configuration, you may be able to open its printer properties or printing preferences.
You do not need to make the XPS printer your default printer. You can select it only when you want to create an XPS document. Keeping your regular physical printer as the default helps prevent ordinary print jobs from being sent to the wrong destination.
If the XPS printer remains missing, continue to the troubleshooting section below instead of repeatedly installing the same feature.
Step 6: Print a Document Using Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Now that the XPS printer is available, you can use it to create an XPS document from a supported Windows application. You can print a Word document, a webpage, a spreadsheet, or another file that provides a Print command.
Open the document you want to save as an XPS file. Press Ctrl + P to open the Print window. Depending on the application, you may see a dedicated Print dialog or a page with printing options.
Under the printer selection menu, choose Microsoft XPS Document Writer. Review the page range, paper size, orientation, and other settings before proceeding. When everything looks right, click Print.
Instead of sending the document to a physical printer, Windows should prompt you to save the output file. Choose a convenient folder, such as Documents, enter a descriptive filename, and save the file. The extension may be .oxps or .xps, depending on your Windows version and printing configuration.
Step 7: Open and View the Saved XPS Document
Once the file has been saved, navigate to the folder where you stored it. Find the file and check its extension to confirm whether it is an .xps or .oxps document.
Double-click the file to see whether Windows has an application associated with that format. Depending on your Windows installation, you may need a compatible XPS viewer to open it.
If Windows cannot open the file, check whether an appropriate viewer is installed and supports the extension you created. You can also use an organization’s approved document viewer if one is available.
Remember that an XPS file is not a PDF file. Both formats can preserve page layout, but they use different document formats and may require different viewing applications. If you need to share a document with someone who expects a PDF, consider using a PDF printer instead.
Troubleshoot a Missing or Nonworking XPS Printer
If the XPS printer does not appear or fails to create a file, start by confirming that your Windows installation supports the relevant XPS components. Some features may be unavailable or managed differently across Windows editions.
Open Settings > Printers & scanners and check the printer list. Then revisit the Windows Features dialog using optionalfeatures.exe to see whether a relevant XPS component is available. If you have enabled a feature recently, restart Windows if prompted.
If the printer is listed but does not work, try printing a simple test document from another application. This helps you determine whether the issue is specific to one application or affects the XPS printer generally.
You can also run the Windows printer troubleshooter if it is available in your version of Windows. Check Windows Update for relevant system updates, especially if optional features are failing to install.
Avoid deleting printer drivers or modifying the Windows registry as an initial troubleshooting step. Those changes can create additional printing problems. If your computer is managed by your employer or school, contact the administrator before changing optional Windows components.
Navigation path: Settings > Printers & scanners > Check the printer > Windows Features > Check XPS support > Test printing
FAQs
1. Is Microsoft XPS Document Writer available in Windows 11?
Availability depends on your Windows 11 version and configuration. Check your installed printers and available Windows features. If the printer is missing, review the supported installation options for your system.
2. What is the difference between XPS and PDF?
XPS and PDF are different document formats that can preserve page layout and formatting. PDF generally offers broader compatibility across devices and applications, while XPS is associated with Microsoft’s document and printing technology.
3. Can I print an XPS document on a regular printer?
Yes, provided you have a compatible application that can open the XPS file and send it to your physical printer. Open the document, select Print, and choose your regular printer.
4. Why can’t I find Microsoft XPS Document Writer?
The printer may not be installed, or its supporting feature may be unavailable on your Windows version. Check the printer list, inspect the available Windows features, and use the supported printer installation options.
5. Does printing to XPS use paper or ink?
No. Printing to Microsoft XPS Document Writer creates a digital file instead of sending the job to a physical printer. Paper and ink are not used unless you later print the saved document on a physical device.
6. Can I convert an XPS document to PDF?
Yes, if you have a compatible viewer or conversion application that supports XPS input. Open the document, select the Print option, choose an available PDF printer, and save the resulting PDF file. Review the output to make sure the formatting has been preserved.
Final Words
Installing and using Microsoft XPS Document Writer can be helpful when you need to save a document in XPS format rather than print it on paper. Start by checking whether the printer is already available, then review your Windows features and printer settings if it is missing.
Once the printer is installed, the process is simple: open your document, press Ctrl + P, select Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and save the resulting file.
If the printer is unavailable on your Windows installation, check the supported features for your version before attempting manual installation.
And if your main goal is to share documents with people using different devices, PDF may be the more practical choice because it is widely supported across operating systems and applications.