Print PDF to XPS using Powershell

Question

I would like to convert a folder containing PDF files into XPS files using Powershell. Due to system restrictions, I am unable to download any third party software like iTextSharp to make this work.

I have been able to get Powershell to open the document and open the print window for XPS, but the name is always blank. Is it possible to have the new file name match the original file name?

Also, how can the process be automated so user input is not required (ie entering the file name or pressing print)? Lastly, is it possible to change the directory that it prints to?

Get-ChildItem -path $pdf_filepath -recurse -include *.pdf | ForEach-Object {Start-Process -FilePath $_.fullname -Verb Print -PassThru | %{sleep 10;$_} } 

Answer 1

This is how I would do it:

#Define the directory containing your .pdf files
$mydir="$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\New folder"
function print_files($mydir){
    #The purpose of this counter is to number your .xps files
    Get-ChildItem $mydir -Filter *.pdf -Recurse | Foreach-Object {
        #For each .pdf file in that directory, continue
        same_time $_.FullName
    }
}
#The following function keeps checking for a new window called "Save Print Output As". When the window shows up, it enters the name of the file and press ENTER.
function enter_my_names($fullname){
    $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell;
    while($wshell.AppActivate('Save Print Output As') -ne $true){
        $wshell.AppActivate('Save Print Output As')
    }
    $basename = [io.path]::GetFileNameWithoutExtension($fullname)
    #This is where the name is actually entered
    $wshell.SendKeys("$basename")
    $wshell.SendKeys("{ENTER}")
}
#The following function launches simultaneously a print job on the input file and a function waiting for the print job to show up to name the file.
workflow same_time{
    Param(
        $fullname
    )
    parallel{
        Start-Process -FilePath $fullname –Verb Print -PassThru
        enter_my_names($fullname)
    }
}
#MAIN PROGRAM
#Here the script saves your current printer as default
$defprinter = Get-WmiObject -Query "Select * from Win32_Printer Where Default=$true"
#Queries for a XPS printer
$printer = Get-WmiObject -Query "Select * from Win32_Printer Where Name='Microsoft XPS Document Writer'"
#Sets the XPS printer as Default
$printer.SetDefaultPrinter()
#Starts the main job
print_files($mydir)
#Sets the old default printer back as default again
$defprinter.SetDefaultPrinter()
#This is a small delay to be sure everything is completed before closing Adobe Reader. You can probably shorten it a bit
sleep 5
#Finally, close Adobe Reader
Get-Process "acrord32" | Stop-Process

Cheers!