XAP File

What are XAP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an XAP file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your XAP files.

What is an XAP file?

XAP files have multiple uses, and Silverlight Application Package is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Silverlight Application Package

These XAP files are also known as Microsoft Silverlight installation resource files. Microsoft Silverlight is a free web-browser plug-in that enables interactive media experiences, rich business applications, and immersive mobile apps. Apps for this platform are distributed as .XAP files. These XAP files do not contain human-readable data.

How to open XAP files

Important: Different programs may use files with the XAP file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your XAP file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested five different XAP openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: July 31, 2023

All known file formats using extension .XAP

While Silverlight Application Package is a popular type of XAP-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .XAP file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Windows Phone encrypted Application

Microsoft developed the XAP file format for their Windows Phone OS (versions 7 and 8). This file format is used by Windows Phone as an executable program file for unpacking and installing third-party apps on the device. Also known as application package files, these XAP files contain installer code, libraries, modules, and resources used by the third-party app during the installation and setup process.

XACT Project

We know that one XAP format is XACT Project. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of XAP files. Remember, different programs may use XAP files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about XAP file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.