How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 and 11
Someone sent you an iPhone photo and Windows shows a blank icon with no preview. Or you plugged in your iPhone and tried to copy photos to your PC, only to find them in a format your computer does not understand. That format is HEIC, and Windows does not handle it out of the box.
There are three ways to solve this problem, ranging from a quick browser-based conversion to installing permanent HEIC support on your system.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Quick fix: Convert HEIC to JPG online
Go to imageconvert.co/heic-to-jpg, drop your HEIC files, and download JPGs that Windows opens natively. No installation needed. Files never leave your computer.
- Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store, search for 'HEIF Image Extensions' by Microsoft, and install it (free). This adds HEIC preview support to File Explorer, Photos, and Paint.
- Install HEVC Video Extensions for full support
For complete HEIC support including some editing capabilities, install 'HEVC Video Extensions' from the Microsoft Store. Note: this extension costs $0.99. Alternatively, search for 'HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer' which is free for some devices.
- Alternative: Use a third-party viewer
Apps like IrfanView, XnView, and CopyTrans HEIC for Windows can open HEIC files without the Microsoft Store extensions. CopyTrans also adds right-click conversion to JPG in File Explorer.
Why Windows Does Not Open HEIC by Default
HEIC files use HEVC (H.265) compression, which is covered by patents. Microsoft chose not to bundle the HEVC decoder with Windows to avoid licensing costs on every copy of the operating system. Instead, the decoder is offered as a separate download through the Microsoft Store.
This patent situation is the root cause of the HEIC compatibility problem on Windows. Apple pays the HEVC licensing fees as part of its hardware pricing, which is why iPhones and Macs handle HEIC natively. On Windows, the user has to either install the decoder or convert the files to a patent-free format like JPG.
Which Solution Is Right for You
If you rarely encounter HEIC files, the browser-based conversion approach is simplest. Visit imageconvert.co, convert the specific files you need, and move on. No system changes, no extensions to maintain.
If you regularly work with iPhone photos on a Windows PC, installing the HEIF Image Extensions is worth the one-time setup. It integrates HEIC support directly into Windows so that File Explorer shows thumbnails, the Photos app opens HEIC files, and other applications gain access to the decoder.
Transferring iPhone Photos to Windows as JPG
There is a way to avoid the HEIC problem entirely when transferring iPhone photos. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Photos and under the 'Transfer to Mac or PC' section, select 'Automatic'. This tells iOS to convert photos to JPG automatically when transferring to a non-Apple device via USB cable.
This setting only affects USB transfers. Photos shared via AirDrop, iCloud, or email may still arrive as HEIC depending on the recipient's device and the sharing method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft free?
Yes, the HEIF Image Extensions is free. However, the HEVC Video Extensions, which provides the decoder for full HEIC support, costs $0.99. Some device manufacturers bundle it for free.
Can I open HEIC files in Photoshop on Windows?
Photoshop can open HEIC files if the HEVC decoder is installed on your system. Install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store first, then Photoshop will recognize HEIC files.
Will converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
There is a minor quality reduction since both formats use lossy compression. At 85% JPG quality, the difference is invisible for photographs.
Can I batch convert all my HEIC files at once?
Yes. imageconvert.co supports batch conversion. Drop all your HEIC files onto the page and download the JPG results as a ZIP archive.