Overview
What is Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack?
Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack : With the XPS Essentials Pack you can quickly begin reading and generating XPS documents, as well as to view file properties and generate thumbnails
In depth
A closer look at Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack
Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack consists of a collection of components that will facilitate a seamless exploration and management of XPS documents.The package has been on the market for longer than we can remember, but continues to be the choice of many users, simply because it is easy to use and deploy, offering a generous set of features.Its compatibility range is restricted to Windows XP, Vista and 2003 and provides separate packages for x86 and x64 architectures. The upper advantage of the suite is that it implements possibilities to handle XPS documents without the need to install .NET Framework 3.0.The only prerequisite is Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0, a package that installs equally fast and requires no efforts on the end-user part.The capabilities brought by XPS Essentials Pack include reading, writing and generating XPS documents, as well as viewing file properties or enabling thumbnail visualizations through the shell handlers comprised in the package.For instance, Vista users will benefit from a special feature called iPreview, through which documents can be previewed inside Windows Explorer without the need to open an application.On the other hand, it is not able to automatically associate itself with XPS documents, thus in order to make it your default viewer, you’ll need to manually make this change.On an ending note, Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack is a good asset, but rather old-fashioned. All of the features included in the package are available in other third-party software that surely sport extensive OS compatibility and a more user-oriented approach.
Requirements
System requirements
Windows 2003 / Windows Vista 64 bit / Windows Vista / Windows XP 64 bit / Windows XP
Verdict
Should you download Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack?
Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack runs on
Windows 2K/XP/2003/Windows 10/11
and is available under the
Freeware
license
— the installer is 1.9 MB.
We’ve catalogued it under
General.
✓
Verified clean. Every Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack build on SoftLookup is scanned for viruses, spyware, adware, trojans and backdoors. We re-test on every update.
Sponsored
At a glance
Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack specifications
- Last updated
- Nov 25, 2025
- Requirements
- Windows 2003 / Windows Vista 64 bit / Windows Vista / Windows XP 64 bit / Windows XP
- License
- Freeware
- Operating system
- Windows 2K/XP/2003/Windows 10/11
- File size
- 1.9 MB
- Price
- Free
- Page views
- 4900
Help fellow users decide. Share your experience with Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack.