XPS and Color Printing Enhancements in Windows Vista

XPS and Color Printing Enhancements in Windows Vista

File name: Vista_print.docx
97 KB
Updated: December 17, 2007
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XPS and Color Printing Enhancements in Windows Vista

File name: Vista_print.xps
319 KB
Updated: December 17, 2007

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About This Download

The print architecture for the next client version of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system takes advantage of the new open XML Paper Specification (XPS) and the new Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation. These technologies enable rich end-to-end color document and photo printing and address many limitations of the existing Microsoft Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI)-based print path in Windows Vista, with limited down-level support in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows XP.

This paper provides an overview of printing enhancements enabled by XPS. Application developers and hardware vendors can use this paper to prepare to support XPS in their product plans.

This information applies for the following operating systems:
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows XP

For up-to-date information, see "Color Management for Printers" in the Windows Driver Kit documentation at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff546064(VS.85).aspx.

Included in this white paper:

• XPS Document format and the XPS spool file

• The XPS print path

• How Windows Vista improves the Windows printing experience

• Support for XPS in earlier versions of Windows

• Resources and next steps

Windows XP users: Download the XPS Essentials Pack to create and view XPS files. XPS is a simple, secure e-paper format that ensures accurate document reproduction across a range of devices. Learn more about XPS here.