XAP Data & Text — A .xap file is a XAP Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.
Quick facts
What is .xap
A .xap file is a XAP Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.
In the mime-db registry it maps to application/x-silverlight-app. When serving .xap over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to application/x-silverlight-app — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .xap files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: application/x-silverlight-app
Common software that reads/writes .xap:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .xap files
How to create .xap files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .xap extension.
application/x-silverlight-app is the media type identifier used for .xap files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-09-13
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