How to Install XPS Viewer in Windows 10 and 11

The XPS Viewer Feature on Demand (FOD) component allows you to read, copy, print, sign, and set permissions for XPS documents. This article explains installing the XPS Viewer in Windows 10 and 11.

Installing the “XPS Document Writer” via the classic Windows Features dialog (i.e., OptionalFeatures.exe) doesn’t install the XPS Viewer. They’re two different components.

How to Install the XPS Viewer

The XPS Viewer FOD component can be installed using different methods. Follow one of the options below.

Method 1: Using Settings

  1. Open Settings, and click Apps.
  2. Click “Optional features.”
    install xps viewer windows 10/11
  3. Click “View features.”
    install xps viewer windows 10/11
  4. In the “Add an optional feature” dialog, type xps.
    install xps viewer windows 10/11
  5. Select the “XPS Viewer” checkbox, and click Next.
  6. On the next screen, click Install.
    install xps viewer windows 10/11

The above steps and screenshots are from Windows 11.

On Windows 10, follow the steps below:

  1. Open Settings, Apps & Features.
  2. Click “Optional features”. If “XPS Viewer” is not already installed, it won’t appear in the “Installed Features” listing.
  3. Click “Add a feature.”
  4. Type xps
  5. Select the “XPS Viewer” checkbox.
  6. Click “Install.”

Method 2: Using DISM

To install the XPS Viewer using DISM, ensure the system is connected to the internet. And then, run the following commands from the admin Command Prompt:

dism /online /remove-capability /capabilityname:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /add-capability /capabilityname:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0

The above commands uninstall XPS Viewer and reinstall XPS Viewer by downloading the source files from Windows Update.


Method 3: Using DISM (using CAB file) offline

Methods 1 and 2 require internet access to download the FOD packages. To install the XPS Viewer or other FOD packages on a computer that’s offline (i.e., with no internet access), you must use the .cab file. The FOD .cab files will be available in the Windows FOD ISO.

The download links for the Language and Optional Features ISOs are below:



Windows 11, version 22H2 Language and Optional Features ISO (Link Source)
22621.1.220506-1250.ni_release_amd64fre_CLIENT_LOF_PACKAGES_OEM.iso

Windows 10, version 2004 (and later) Features on Demand #1 ISO (Link Source)
19041.1.191206-1406.vb_release_amd64fre_FOD-PACKAGES_OEM_PT1_amd64fre_MULTI.iso

Instructions

  1. Download the appropriate FOD ISO and mount the ISO. To mount the ISO, right-click on it and click “Mount”. The cab file name for the XPS Viewer is mentioned below:

    XPS Viewer – FOD Info

    Feature name: XPS Viewer
    Capability name: XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
    CAB file name: Microsoft-Windows-Xps-Xps-Viewer-Opt-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

    Note

    The above CAB file will be present in the root folder of the Windows 10 FOD ISO. Whereas in the Windows 11 FOD ISO, this file is located under the LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures folder.

  2. Suppose the FOD ISO’s mounted drive-letter is H:\. To install the XPS Viewer FOD component, run the following command:
    Windows 11
    dism /online /add-package /packagepath:"H:\LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures\Microsoft-Windows-Xps-Xps-Viewer-Opt-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab"
    Windows 10
    dism /online /add-package /packagepath:"H:\Microsoft-Windows-Xps-Xps-Viewer-Opt-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab"

You’ll see the following output:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.844

Image Version: 10.0.19045.3086

Processing 1 of 1 - Adding package Microsoft-Windows-Xps-Xps-Viewer-Opt-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.19041.1
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.

install xps viewer windows 10/11 using DISM CAB file

That’s it!


One small request: If you liked this post, please share this?

One "tiny" share from you would seriously help a lot with the growth of this blog. Some great suggestions:
  • Pin it!
  • Share it to your favorite blog + Facebook, Reddit
  • Tweet it!
So thank you so much for your support. It won't take more than 10 seconds of your time. The share buttons are right below. :)

Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

Leave a Reply