How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 & 11

You copied some photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC, double-clicked one, and Windows shrugged. HEIC files don’t open on Windows out of the box — but fixing that takes only a minute.

This guide covers every reliable way to open HEIC files on Windows 10 and 11, from the official extension to free viewers and instant conversion. Pick the one that fits you.

Why won’t HEIC files open on Windows?

HEIC is Apple’s photo format, and the image inside it is compressed with HEVC (H.265) — the same codec used for 4K video.

Windows doesn’t ship with those codecs, so the Photos app has nothing to decode the file with. Install the missing pieces, or convert the file, and the problem disappears.

Method 1 — Install HEIF Image Extensions (free, official)

The official route is to add the codec Windows is missing. It’s free and takes about a minute.

Step by step

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for HEIF Image Extensions and click Get (it’s free).
3. Once installed, double-click any .heic file to open it in the Photos app. Paint can also open it and save it as JPG.

That’s usually enough to view HEIC photos.

Do you still need the paid $0.99 HEVC extension?

Here’s the part most guides get wrong. Because HEIC relies on HEVC, some images won’t fully decode with only the HEIF extension — they may look blurry or refuse to open.

The fix is an HEVC decoder. Microsoft sells HEVC Video Extensions for about $0.99.

Heads up: there used to be a free “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” listing, but Microsoft has largely removed it from the Store. As of 2026 it’s hard to find through official channels, and downloading it from random third-party sites is a security risk. If you’d rather not pay, skip to the free viewer or conversion methods below.

Method 2 — Free HEIC viewers (no Photos app needed)

If you’d rather not touch the paid extension, several free apps open HEIC directly.

CopyTrans HEIC

A free-for-personal-use tool that lets File Explorer show HEIC thumbnails and adds a right-click “Convert to JPEG” option. It also lets you insert HEIC into Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

IrfanView

A tiny, fast free image viewer. Install its plugin pack (which includes HEIC support) and you can view .heic files instantly.

XnView MP

Free and cross-platform, XnView MP is great when you need to open hundreds of HEIC files at once for browsing.

GIMP

The free, open-source editor opens HEIF/HEIC directly and can export to any format — handy if you also want to edit.

K-Lite Codec Pack

The free K-Lite Codec Pack installs HEVC/HEIF decoders system-wide, so the Photos app and other programs can open HEIC without the paid Store extension. Only download it from the official codecguide.com site.

How to see HEIC thumbnails in File Explorer

By default, File Explorer shows blank icons for HEIC files, which makes finding the right photo painful.

Installing HEIF Image Extensions restores thumbnail previews in most cases. If thumbnails still don’t appear, CopyTrans HEIC adds full thumbnail support to Explorer, so you can browse HEIC photos just like JPGs.

Can you open HEIC in Office or Photoshop?

Viewing is one thing; getting HEIC into the apps you actually work in is another.

Photoshop opens 8-bit HEIC files once the Windows extensions are installed. For 10-bit or 12-bit HEIC, support is patchy — convert those to a standard format first.

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) has no built-in HEIC support. A tool like CopyTrans HEIC adds it, or you can convert the image to JPG and insert that instead — the safest bet when you’re sharing the document with other people.

Paint handles HEIC once the extension is installed, and doubles as a quick offline converter via File › Save as › JPEG.

Method 3 — Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows

Sometimes you don’t want to view a HEIC file, you want a copy that works everywhere. Converting is the answer.

Convert online, free and private

The fastest option needs nothing installed. HEICHub’s HEIC to JPG converter runs entirely in your browser — your photos are never uploaded to a server.

Drop the files in, click convert, and download JPGs that open in any Windows app. Prefer lossless quality or transparency? Use HEIC to PNG instead.

Privacy tip: most online converters upload your photos to their servers. If your images are personal, choose a tool that converts locally — or one that clearly deletes files quickly.

Convert locally with Paint

Once HEIF Image Extensions is installed, open the HEIC in Paint, then choose File › Save as › JPEG. It’s fully offline.

Batch-convert many files at once

Got a folder full of HEIC photos? Add them all to HEICHub, convert in one go, and download everything as a single ZIP — no per-file clicking.

Windows 10 vs Windows 11: is it different?

The core process is the same on both: install HEIF Image Extensions, then open in Photos or convert.

The differences are small. Windows 11 ships a redesigned Photos app, and some users report the extensions behaving inconsistently after certain updates. If an extension seems installed but isn’t working, the troubleshooting steps below apply to both versions.

Troubleshooting: HEIC still won’t open

If you’ve installed the extension and it’s still not working, run through these.

The extension is installed but nothing shows

Restart the Photos app, or reboot the PC. Confirm that both HEIF Image Extensions and an HEVC decoder are present — HEIC needs both to fully decode.

The image opens but looks blurry

This is the classic sign of a missing HEVC decoder. Install a free viewer like CopyTrans HEIC or IrfanView, or simply convert the file to JPG.

The Windows 11 extension isn’t working

After some Windows 11 updates the extensions can misbehave. Reinstalling HEIF Image Extensions from the Store usually fixes it; if not, fall back to a converter.

“This app can’t open” errors

If Windows throws a generic “can’t open” error, the file association may be broken. Right-click the HEIC, choose Open with › Photos, and tick “Always use this app”. If Photos still fails, the codecs aren’t installed correctly — convert the file instead.

Stop HEIC at the source

If HEIC files keep landing on your PC, you can prevent it at the camera.

On the iPhone, open Settings › Camera › Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG, which Windows opens with no setup.

This only changes future photos, so you’ll still need to convert the HEIC files you already have.

Which method should you choose?

Each method fits a different situation. Here’s how they compare.

• Just want to view a few? Install the free HEIF Image Extensions.
• Don’t want to pay or install much? Use a free viewer like CopyTrans HEIC or IrfanView.
• Need files that work everywhere? Convert to JPG — free and private in your browser.
• Have a whole folder? Batch-convert and download a ZIP.
• Tired of the problem entirely? Switch your iPhone to Most Compatible.

The bottom line

Windows can’t open HEIC files by default, but the fix is quick. Install the free HEIF Image Extensions to view them, use a free viewer to skip the paid codec, or convert HEIC to JPG in your browser when you need photos that open anywhere. For a deeper look at the format itself, read what a HEIC file is.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't HEIC files open on Windows?+

Windows doesn't include the codecs for HEIC by default. HEIC images are compressed with HEVC (H.265), and Windows needs the HEIF (and often HEVC) extensions installed before the Photos app can display them.

Is the HEIF Image Extensions download free?+

Yes. HEIF Image Extensions is free in the Microsoft Store. The separate HEVC Video Extensions usually costs $0.99, though a free viewer or a converter can avoid that cost entirely.

Do I have to pay $0.99 for the HEVC extension?+

Not necessarily. A free 'HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer' listing used to exist, but Microsoft has largely removed it. If you can't find it, use a free HEIC viewer like CopyTrans HEIC or IrfanView, or just convert the file to JPG.

How do I convert a HEIC file to JPG on Windows?+

The quickest way is a free browser converter. HEICHub's HEIC to JPG tool converts files entirely on your device — nothing is uploaded — and supports batch conversion with a ZIP download.

Why are my HEIC photos blurry or low quality when opened in Photos?+

This usually means the HEVC decoder isn't fully installed. HEIC relies on HEVC, so if only the HEIF extension is present some images render poorly. Installing a free viewer or converting the file avoids the problem.

I installed the extension but still can't see HEIC files. How do I fix it?+

Restart the Photos app or your PC, make sure both HEIF Image Extensions and an HEVC decoder are present, and confirm the file really is a valid .heic. If it still fails, convert the file to JPG instead.

Can I open HEIC files in Photoshop or Office on Windows?+

Photoshop can open 8-bit HEIC once the system extensions are installed. To insert HEIC into Word, PowerPoint, or Outlook, a tool like CopyTrans HEIC adds that support, or you can convert to JPG first.

How do I batch-convert many HEIC files at once?+

Use a converter that supports multiple files. HEICHub lets you drop a whole folder of HEIC files, convert them together, and download everything as one ZIP — all in your browser.

Is it safe to convert HEIC online?+

It depends on the tool. Most online converters upload your photos to a server. HEICHub is different: conversion happens locally in your browser, so private photos never leave your device.

How do I stop my iPhone from saving photos as HEIC?+

On the iPhone, go to Settings › Camera › Formats and choose 'Most Compatible' to capture new photos as JPG. This prevents the problem at the source for future photos.