Document that contains fixed page layout information written in the XPS page description language; similar to a .PDF file, but saved in Microsoft’s proprietary XPS format; defines the layout, appearance, and printing information for a document.
The XPS file can be used to view, share, save, and protect the content of your document. You can create an XPS file using any Windows program that you can print from. However, you can only view, sign, and specify permissions of an XPS file through XPS Viewer. Also, once you save the XPS contents in the XPS format, you can no longer edit the XPS file.
XPS was designed as a replacement for the Enhanced Metafile (.EMF) format. It is similar to a .PDF file, but is based on XML instead of the PostScript language. XPS files can be created in Windows by selecting the "Microsoft XPS Document Writer" as the printer when printing a document.
NOTE: XPS files can be opened with Microsoft's XPS Viewer, which is included with Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Internet Explorer 6 or later. It is also part of the XPS Essentials Pack, which can be downloaded from Microsoft and used with Windows XP.