Windows will now download and install the necessary components from Microsoft's servers.
To install the XPS Printer Driver on Windows 11, a user must navigate to . In the resulting list, they should locate and check two specific items: “XPS Printer” (the driver itself) and “XPS Viewer” (the application to open and manage .xps files). After selecting these and clicking “Install,” Windows will retrieve the necessary components directly from Microsoft’s servers. The process requires an active internet connection and takes less than a minute. Once completed, the “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” will appear as a standard printer in the Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners section. xps printer driver download windows 11
In Windows 11, the XPS Viewer (the app used to view the files) and the XPS Printer Driver (used to create the files) are considered "Optional Features." They are not installed by default to save space, but they are free and built into Windows. Windows will now download and install the necessary
Under Manufacturer, select and choose Microsoft XPS Document Writer from the list. Troubleshooting Common Issues In Windows 11, the XPS Viewer (the app
If you installed the Optional Feature but the printer is missing from your list, you can install it manually using the built-in Windows driver store.
In the ecosystem of digital document management, the Portable Document Format (PDF) has long reigned as the default standard for sharing and printing files. However, Microsoft developed its own competing technology: the XML Paper Specification (XPS). While less ubiquitous, the XPS format offers distinct advantages in preserving document fidelity, especially in professional environments. For users of Windows 11, the path to leveraging this format is not always immediately obvious, as the XPS Printer Driver is no longer installed by default. Understanding how to download and enable this driver is a matter of navigating Windows 11’s optional features, not searching third-party websites—a critical distinction for security and system stability.
: In the "Turn Windows features on or off" window, scroll down to find Microsoft XPS Document Writer .