[2] It is an XML-based (more precisely XAML-based) specification, based on a new print path (print processing data representation and data flow) and a color-managed vector document format that supports device independence and resolution independence.

However, PDF remained the standard choice, and support for and user familiarity with XPS files is limited.

Notably, the markup language for XPS is a subset of XAML, allowing it to incorporate vector elements in documents.

These include an XML markup file for each page, text, embedded fonts, raster images, 2D vector graphics, as well as the digital rights management information.

The filter pipeline architecture of XPS is also similar to the one used in printers supporting the PostScript page description language.

In Windows Vista, XPS is hosted within Internet Explorer, but in subsequent versions, it is a standalone app.

[55] Native XPS printers were introduced by Canon, Konica Minolta, Toshiba, and Xerox.

Microsoft also required that organizations "engaged in the business of developing (i) scanners that output XPS Documents; (ii) printers that consume XPS Documents to produce hard-copy output; or (iii) print driver or raster image software products or components thereof that convert XPS Documents for the purpose of producing hard-copy output, [...] will not sue Microsoft or any of its licensees under the XML Paper Specification or customers for infringement of any XML Paper Specification Derived Patents (as defined below) on account of any manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, importation or other disposition or promotion of any XML Paper Specification implementations."

The specification itself was released under a royalty-free copyright license, allowing its free distribution.

[60] On September 13, 2011, Monotype Imaging announced it had licensed its XPS-to-PCL 6 and XPS-to-PostScript vector conversion filters to Microsoft for use in the next version of Windows.

[64] In June 2007 Ecma International Technical Committee 46 (TC46) was set up to develop a standard based on the Open XML Paper Specification (OpenXPS).