xpsrchvw.exe - XPS Viewer Executable

Category: System-EXE-Files | Date: 2025-03-04

xpsrchvw.exe: XPS Viewer Executable

Overview

xpsrchvw.exe is the executable file for the XPS Viewer application in Microsoft Windows. XPS (XML Paper Specification) is a fixed-layout document format designed by Microsoft as an alternative to Adobe's PDF format. The XPS Viewer allows users to view, print, digitally sign, and set permissions for XPS documents. It was a built-in component of Windows starting with Windows Vista and extending through Windows 7. While still technically present in later versions of Windows, it's often not installed by default and must be enabled as an optional feature. Its prevalence has significantly diminished with the rise of PDF as the dominant format for electronic documents.

Origin and Purpose

  • Origin: Developed by Microsoft as part of the .NET Framework and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). It was introduced with Windows Vista.
  • Purpose: To provide a native application for viewing XPS documents. The viewer supports features like searching, zooming, digital signatures, and document permissions. It also allows users to print XPS documents to physical printers or to the Microsoft XPS Document Writer (to create new XPS files).

Is it a Virus?

No, xpsrchvw.exe is not inherently a virus. It is a legitimate executable file developed by Microsoft. However, like any executable file, it could theoretically be impersonated by malware.

Could it Be a Virus (Malware Impersonation)?

Yes, malware could potentially use the name xpsrchvw.exe to disguise itself. Here's how to identify a potential imposter:

  1. File Location: The legitimate xpsrchvw.exe is typically located in one of the following directories:

    • C:\Windows\System32\
    • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ (on 64-bit systems)
    • C:\Program Files\XPSViewer\ (less common, but possible)
    • Inside subfolders of C:\Windows\WinSxS\ (Windows Side-by-Side directory, used for managing different versions of system files). The specific subfolder will vary depending on the Windows version and updates installed. This is the most likely location for the legitimate, current version.

    If you find xpsrchvw.exe in any other location (e.g., Downloads, Desktop, temporary folders), it's highly suspicious.

  2. Digital Signature: The legitimate xpsrchvw.exe should be digitally signed by Microsoft. To check the digital signature:

    • Right-click on the xpsrchvw.exe file.
    • Select "Properties."
    • Go to the "Digital Signatures" tab.
    • You should see a signature from "Microsoft Windows" or "Microsoft Corporation." If there's no signature, or the signature is from an unknown or untrusted publisher, the file is likely malicious.
    • Click on the signature and then click "Details" to verify the certificate details.

  3. File Size and Hash: While not definitive, a significant deviation in file size from the expected size (which can vary slightly between versions) can be a warning sign. You can also calculate the file's hash (e.g., SHA-256) and compare it to known good hashes online (though reliable sources for official XPS Viewer hashes are becoming scarce). VirusTotal is a good resource for checking file hashes against multiple antivirus engines.

  4. System Performance: Unexplained high CPU or memory usage associated with xpsrchvw.exe (especially when you aren't actively using the XPS Viewer) could indicate malware activity. Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to monitor its resource consumption.

  5. Antivirus Scan: The most reliable way to determine if a file is malicious is to scan it with a reputable and up-to-date antivirus program.

How to Use the XPS Viewer (xpsrchvw.exe)

While less common now, if you have XPS documents, here's how to use the viewer:

  1. Installation/Enabling (if needed):

    • Windows 10/11:
      • Open "Settings" (Windows key + I).
      • Go to "Apps."
      • Click on "Optional features."
      • Click "Add a feature."
      • Search for "XPS Viewer" and install it.

  2. Opening XPS Files:

    • Double-click: If XPS Viewer is set as the default application for .xps files, you can simply double-click an XPS document to open it.
    • Right-click: Right-click on an XPS file, select "Open with," and choose "XPS Viewer" (or "Choose another app" if it's not listed).
    • From within the application: If XPS Viewer is already open, you can use "File" > "Open" to browse for and open an XPS file.

  3. Navigation and Features:

    • Toolbar: The toolbar provides options for:

      • Opening files: Open existing XPS documents.
      • Printing: Print the document to a physical printer or the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
      • Zooming: Zoom in and out of the document.
      • Page Navigation: Go to the next, previous, first, or last page.
      • Searching: Search for text within the document.
      • Permissions: View and manage document permissions (if set).
      • Digital Signatures: View and manage digital signatures.
      • Copy: Copy Text from Document.
      • Find: Find the specified text in the document.

    • Navigation Pane: The navigation pane (which can be toggled on or off) may display:

      • Thumbnails: Small previews of each page.
      • Document Outline: A hierarchical outline of the document's structure (if present).
      • Search Results: Search results are shown.

    • Keyboard Shortcuts: Many standard keyboard shortcuts are supported:

      • Ctrl+O: Open
      • Ctrl+P: Print
      • Ctrl+F: Find
      • Page Up/Page Down: Navigate pages
      • Home/End: Go to the first/last page
      • +/-: Zoom in/out

  4. Printing to XPS: The Microsoft XPS Document Writer is a virtual printer that allows you to create XPS files from any application that supports printing. Just select "Microsoft XPS Document Writer" as the printer, and instead of printing to paper, it will create an .xps file.

Troubleshooting

  • XPS Viewer not opening:

    • Ensure it's installed (see "Installation/Enabling" above).
    • Check file associations: Make sure .xps files are associated with xpsrchvw.exe. (Right-click an XPS file > "Open with" > "Choose another app" > select XPS Viewer and check "Always use this app").
    • Run System File Checker (SFC): Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to check for and repair corrupted system files.
    • DISM: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the Windows image.

  • XPS Viewer crashing:

    • Update Windows: Make sure your Windows installation is up-to-date.
    • Reinstall XPS Viewer: Uninstall and reinstall the XPS Viewer optional feature.
    • Check for conflicting software: Try closing other applications to see if they are causing a conflict.

Conclusion

xpsrchvw.exe is a legitimate Microsoft executable for the XPS Viewer. While the XPS format has declined in popularity, the viewer remains a part of Windows, often as an optional feature. Be cautious of files with the same name found in unusual locations, lacking a digital signature, or exhibiting unusual behavior, as these could be malware masquerading as the legitimate XPS Viewer. If you use XPS files, understanding how to use and troubleshoot the viewer is essential. If you don't, you likely don't need to worry about it.