How to open HEIC photos on Windows (3 reliable methods)
Tomoda HinataTool author & maintainerPublished Apr 17, 2026Updated Apr 26, 20269 min read
HEIC has been Apple's default iPhone photo format since iOS 11 (2017). Windows still does not open it out of the box on most installations. Here are the three reliable paths: install Microsoft's HEIF extensions for ongoing use, batch-convert to JPG for one-off needs, or switch the iPhone to JPG capture mode.
Tools used in this guide
Why does Windows not open HEIC by default?
HEIC uses the HEVC (H.265) codec, which Microsoft licenses separately. The decoder ships in Windows, but is gated behind a Microsoft Store extension to avoid licensing fees on every install. Until you install the extension, double-clicking a .heic file produces 'Photos can't open this file'.
Method 1: Install the Microsoft HEIF extensions
From the Microsoft Store, install "HEIF Image Extensions" (free) and "HEVC Video Extensions" ($0.99 / ¥120). After install, Windows File Explorer thumbnails, Photos, Snipping Tool, and Office all render HEIC natively. Best choice if you receive iPhone photos regularly.
Method 2: Convert HEIC to JPG once
For a single folder of iPhone photos that needs to live on Windows long-term, convert to JPG. Our HEIC to JPG tool processes batches of 30 files at up to 80 MB each entirely in your browser — no extension installs, no uploads. The output JPG is ~2× larger on disk but works in every Windows app from 2010 onwards.
Method 3: Switch the iPhone to JPG capture
On iPhone: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. From that point, new photos save as JPG (.jpg) and videos as H.264 (.mov), which every Windows install reads natively. The downside: file sizes roughly double vs HEIC, so 256 GB of photo storage on the phone fills up twice as fast.
Which method should I choose?
Daily HEIC users: Method 1 (install extensions). One-off transfer: Method 2 (in-browser convert). Permanently cross-platform: Method 3 (camera setting). The three are not mutually exclusive — many people install the extensions and still convert when uploading to a service that does not understand HEIC.
Steps
About 4 minOpen Microsoft Store
Press Start → Microsoft Store. Search for 'HEIF Image Extensions'.
Install HEIF Image Extensions
Click 'Get' on the free package; it installs in seconds.
Install HEVC Video Extensions
Search 'HEVC Video Extensions' and purchase the $0.99 / ¥120 package — required for HEIC photos that contain HEVC payloads.
Reopen the .heic file
Double-click any .heic file. Photos opens it natively; File Explorer thumbnails render.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Microsoft HEVC extensions safe?
Yes — they ship from Microsoft directly through the Store. The 'Device Manufacturer' free version exists only for OEMs; consumers must use the paid $0.99 version.
Why is the HEVC extension paid?
MPEG-LA charges Microsoft a per-device royalty for the H.265 patent pool. The Store package passes that cost to the consumer rather than build it into Windows itself.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
Slightly — JPG cannot represent the full 10-bit HDR range HEIC stores. For typical phone photos viewed on standard displays the difference is invisible.
Can I batch-convert hundreds of HEIC files?
Our in-browser tool handles 30 at a time at up to 80 MB each. For a 500-file vacation folder, run six batches — still entirely in your browser, no uploads.
Will Windows ever open HEIC without the extension?
Possibly. As of Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft has not announced a built-in decoder, and licensing economics make it unlikely any time soon.
Try it now
Batch convert iPhone HEIC photos to JPG
HEIC to JPG Converter