XPS is an XML-based file format designed to print onscreen content while preserving fidelity. It is also the Windows print spooler format and can also be used to share and exchange electronic fixed layout documents like PDF. Windows 10 ships with XPS Document Writer which is the virtual printer installed out-of-the-box so you can create XPS documents. If you find no use for this XPS printer and are not going to use it to create XPS files, here is how to to remove it quickly.
- Add Microsoft Xps Document Writer Windo…
- Xps Document Writer Windows 10
- Windows 10 Xps Document Writer Missing Windows 10
- Reinstall Xps Document Writer Windows 10
May 09, 2018 Windows 10 version 1803 'April 2018 Update' is available for stable branch users. The XPS Viewer is no longer installed by default if you install Windows 10 1803 from scratch (clean install). Here is how to install it manually. May 22, 2018 In this guide, we'll show you the steps to bring back the XPS Viewer app after setting up a new device, or after doing a clean installation of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance
Microsoft ships Windows 10 with the XPS Document Writer printer installed by default. It can be useful when you need to print from some app on a PC where a printer is not physically connected. You can print to this virtual printer to create an XPS file. But for many users, the XPS Writer feature is not required. Some of you would like to get rid of it. This can be done in any of the following ways.
Probably the fastest way to remove the XPS Document Writer printer is to use the command line. Once you execute a command, it will remove the printer without additional prompts, dialogs and confirmations.
Remove the XPS Document Writer printer from Windows 10 using the command line
To remove this printer, open a new command prompt instance, then type or paste the following command:
The same can be done using PowerShell. Open a new instance of PowerShell and use the following command:
Both commands above do not produce any output and remove the XPS Document Writer printer silently and quickly.
If you prefer the GUI way to remove this printer, you can do the following.
Remove the XPS Document Writer printer from Windows 10 using GUI
- Open Settings.
- Go to Devices - Printers & Scanners.
- On the right, select the item named Microsoft XPS Document Writer:
Once you have it selected, the option Remove device will appear under the printer's name. Use it to remove the XPS Document writer.
You are done.
Some day, you might change your mind and decide to add back the XPS Document Writer feature to Windows 10. This can be done as follows.
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Control PanelHardware and SoundDevices and Printers:
- Click the 'Add a printer' button on the toolbar:
- In the dialog that appears, click the link 'The printer that I want isn't listed':
- In 'Find a printer by other options', select 'Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings':
- On the next page under the option 'Use an existing port' you need to select 'PORTPROMPT: (Local Port)' from the drop down list.
- Select Microsoft in the Manufacturer list on the left and pick the item 'Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4' in the right.
- On the next page, tick the option 'Use the driver that is currently installed' and click the Next button.
- On the next page, you can customize the printer's name, e.g. remove the 'v4' portion to make it use the default name 'Microsoft XPS Document Writer'.
- The last step allows you to set the printer as default. If you are going to set it as your default printer, then tick the option and you are done.
That's it.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance
Windows 10 version 1803 'April 2018 Update' is available for stable branch users. The XPS Viewer is no longer installed by default if you install Windows 10 1803 from scratch (clean install). Here is how to install it manually.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance
The XPS viewer is an application designed to view XPS documents. It was bundled with Windows starting with Vista. XPS documents are files saved to the XML Paper Specification (.xps file format). In Windows 10 version 1709 'Fall Creators Update' and earlier versions, XPS Viewer is installed by default. After updating to Windows 10 version 1803 via Windows Update, the app remains available. You will still have XPS Viewer, so no action is required.
Microsoft has changed the way you get XPS Viewer in case of a clean install. On a device with Windows 10 version 1803 pre-installed, and after installing Windows 10 1803 from scratch (clean install), XPS Viewer won't be available. To use it, you need to install it manually.
To install XPS Viewer in Windows 10 version 1803, do the following.
Add Microsoft Xps Document Writer Windo…
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Apps > Apps & features.
- On the right, click on the link Manage optional features.
- Click on the button Add a feature at the top of the next page.
- Find the optional feature named XPS Viewer in the list under Add a feature.
- Select it and click on the Install button.
You are done. You now have XPS Viewer installed. You can open any xps document stored on your PC or by entering xpsrchvw.exe in the Run dialog (Win + R).
Alternatively, you can get XPS Viewer installed with DISM
Install XPS Viewer in Windows 10 using DISM
- Open an elevated command prompt.
- Copy-paste or type the following command:
dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0 - After installing the feature, you can close the command prompt.
Xps Document Writer Windows 10
Uninstall XPS Viewer
Windows 10 Xps Document Writer Missing Windows 10
To uninstall XPS Viewer, you can use either Settings or the DISM app.
- Go to Settings - Apps & features - Manage optional features. Select XPS Viewer in the list of features and click on Uninstall.
- Alternatively, open the command prompt as Administrator and type
dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
Reinstall Xps Document Writer Windows 10
This will remove XPS Viewer from Windows 10.
That's it.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance