“Metro” was the codename for a file format called XPS (XML Paper Specification). XPS is the Microsoft version of the PDF file which is one of the most common document file types in the world. With PDF’s, they are light and portable but can contain rich images and text, but you need to download the Adobe Reader to view them. Most machines have them, but it’s still a pain having to download and install it.

XPS is very similar, except you don’t need (or appear) to have to download or install anything. All you really need is the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 and you’re sorted. It’s already been available through Automatic Updates so the chances are you already have it (test to see if you have it here). Windows Vista users will have it already. But the beauty of it, is that any XPS file will open in Internet Explorer 6.0 and above nicely!