How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 & 11 — 4 Free Methods
You transferred photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC and now they won't open. Windows Photos shows an error. The files have a .heic extension instead of .jpg. This is one of the most common iPhone-to-Windows compatibility headaches, and it has several simple fixes.
Here are 4 ways to open HEIC files on Windows — all free, ordered from fastest to most permanent.
Why Windows Can't Open HEIC Files
HEIC uses HEVC (H.265) compression — a modern, highly efficient video codec. Microsoft did not include HEVC support in Windows by default due to patent licensing costs. Without the HEVC codec, Windows cannot decode HEIC image data, so Photos and other built-in viewers show an error instead of your photo.
Method 1 — Convert to JPG in Your Browser (Fastest, No Install)
- Open convertlo.pro/heic-to-jpg.html in Chrome or Edge.
- Drag and drop your HEIC files onto the page — you can convert multiple files at once.
- Conversion runs entirely in your browser. Your photos never leave your PC.
- Click Download to save the JPG files.
Best for: one-time conversions, confidential photos, or when you don't want to install anything. Converts to JPG, PNG, or WebP. Batch converts hundreds of photos at once.
Convert HEIC to JPG — Right Now, in Your Browser
No software install. Your photos never leave your PC.
Method 2 — Install HEVC Extensions (Opens HEIC Natively in Windows)
- Open the Microsoft Store (search in the Start menu).
- Search for "HEVC Video Extensions".
- Install HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer (free on some PCs) or HEVC Video Extensions (~$1).
- After installing, double-click any
.heicfile — it opens in Windows Photos normally.
Best for: if you regularly receive HEIC files and want them to open natively without conversion. The "from Device Manufacturer" version is sometimes available for free on OEM PCs — check for it first before buying.
Method 3 — Use IrfanView (Free, Opens HEIC Directly)
- Download IrfanView from irfanview.com (choose the 64-bit installer).
- Also download the All Plugins package from the same page.
- Install IrfanView, then install the plugins package.
- Right-click any HEIC file → Open with → IrfanView.
- To save as JPG: press S (Save As) and choose JPEG format.
Best for: viewing and individually converting HEIC files. IrfanView also supports batch conversion via File → Batch Conversion/Rename — useful for converting a folder of photos at once.
Method 4 — Change iPhone Settings (Prevents Future HEIC Files)
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Camera.
- Tap Formats.
- Select Most Compatible.
New photos will now save as JPEG instead of HEIC. Note: this does not convert existing HEIC photos on your phone. You'll also use slightly more storage, as JPEG files are larger than HEIC. For existing photos, use Method 1 or 3.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Situation | Best Method |
|---|---|
| Need to open a few photos right now | Method 1 — Convert in browser (fastest) |
| Regularly receive HEIC from iPhone users | Method 2 — HEVC Extensions ($1, then opens natively) |
| Want a free desktop viewer for HEIC | Method 3 — IrfanView |
| Want to stop receiving HEIC in future | Method 4 — Change iPhone settings |
| Need to convert 100+ photos at once | Method 1 — Convertlo batch conversion |
| Have confidential photos (privacy matters) | Method 1 or 3 — both process locally |
What the Microsoft Store Codec Actually Installs — and the Catch
When people say "install the HEVC codec," they're usually pointing at one specific item in the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions. But there are actually two separate extensions, and they do different things.
The HEIF Image Extensions is the free one. Install it and Windows gets basic support for HEIC still photos — thumbnails will start generating in File Explorer, and Windows Photos can open most HEIC files. The limitation is that it handles the container format (HEIF) but relies on the HEVC decoder being present for anything beyond baseline images.
The HEVC Video Extensions is the ~$0.99 paid add-on. This installs the actual HEVC (H.265) codec, which unlocks HEIC viewing in Windows Photos, thumbnail generation for HEIC files, and HEVC video playback system-wide. Together, these two extensions give you full native HEIC support — the thumbnails show up, Photos opens the files, and Windows can use HEIC as a source in other apps.
The catch most people hit: some PCs already have both installed for free via an OEM deal. If your PC shipped with Windows pre-installed (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), check the Microsoft Store for "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" before reaching for your wallet. It's listed separately and doesn't show up unless your hardware qualifies, but when it's there, it's free. The quickest way to check is to search the Store for "HEVC" — if you see both the $0.99 version and a free "from Device Manufacturer" version, grab the free one.
One more thing: the HEIF extension alone sometimes isn't enough. If thumbnails still don't appear after installing it, the HEVC codec is what's missing. The two extensions genuinely work together, and installing only one often leaves people frustrated thinking neither works.
HEIC in Windows Workflows Beyond Just Viewing
Once you can open HEIC files, the next question is usually whether you can actually do something with them — edit, batch process, drop into documents. The answer depends a lot on which app you're using.
Paint.NET doesn't support HEIC out of the box, but there's a free plugin called FileTypes Plus (or the dedicated HEIF plugin available from the Paint.NET forums) that adds HEIC read support. After installing it, you can open a HEIC file directly into Paint.NET, make edits, and save out to JPG or PNG. It's not as seamless as native support, but for people who already use Paint.NET as their go-to editor, it's a lot faster than converting first.
IrfanView does more than just view. Its batch conversion dialog (File → Batch Conversion/Rename) can take a folder of HEIC files and output them all as JPG with a few clicks. You can set a consistent quality level, resize during conversion, and rename files based on EXIF date — handy if you're importing a large iPhone photo dump and want everything normalized before sorting into folders.
Adobe Lightroom has handled HEIC natively since Lightroom CC in late 2018. If you're on a current subscription, HEIC files import and process like any other raw-ish format — star ratings, develop adjustments, export to JPG at whatever quality you want. Lightroom Classic handles them too. So if you're already a Lightroom user, there's no codec drama at all — just import the card and go.
Word and PowerPoint are a different story. You can insert a HEIC file via Insert → Pictures, and on a fully patched Windows 11 machine with the HEIC/HEVC extensions installed, it usually works. But "usually" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Older Office versions and Windows 10 machines frequently silently fail — the file appears to insert, but you see a broken image placeholder, or it looks fine on your screen but renders as a red X on someone else's PC when you share the document. The safe rule: if a HEIC is going into an Office document that's leaving your machine, convert it to JPG first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't HEIC files open on Windows?
How can I open HEIC files on Windows for free?
Do I need to pay to open HEIC on Windows?
How do I convert HEIC to JPG on Windows without software?
Why do HEIC thumbnails not show in File Explorer even after installing the codec?
ie4uinit.exe -show from the Run dialog (Win+R) to force a thumbnail cache rebuild, or simply restart Windows — that usually clears it. Also check that thumbnail generation isn't disabled: open Folder Options (View tab in File Explorer → Options), go to the View tab, and make sure "Always show icons, never thumbnails" is unchecked. If thumbnails still don't appear after all that, the HEVC Video Extensions are likely missing — the free HEIF extension alone isn't always enough.