How to open HEIC files on Windows 10 and 11

You double-click an iPhone photo on your Windows PC and get the message that the file can't be opened, or Photos asks you to buy a codec. This guide covers the four realistic ways to deal with HEIC on Windows, from permanent fixes to the quick workaround.

1. Install Microsoft's HEIF and HEVC extensions

Windows can open HEIC natively once two Microsoft Store packages are installed: HEIF Image Extensions (free) and HEVC Video Extensions. The catch is the second one: Microsoft charges €0.99 for it, because HEVC is a patented codec and the license fee has to come from somewhere. After installing both, HEIC photos open in the Photos app and show thumbnails in Explorer like any other image.

On many laptops the HEVC codec is already present: device manufacturers can pre-license it. So before paying, just install the free HEIF extension and try opening a HEIC file — there is a fair chance it simply works.

2. Use software that brings its own decoder

Several free programs decode HEIC without touching Windows' codec system: IrfanView (with its plugin pack), XnView MP, GIMP and recent versions of Adobe applications. If you regularly work with images, one of these is worth having anyway, and HEIC support comes along for free.

3. Let OneDrive or iCloud do the converting

If your photos arrive via cloud sync, you can avoid the problem at the source. iCloud for Windows can be set to download photos in a compatible format, and when you share from an iPhone via Mail or many messaging apps, iOS already converts to JPG automatically. Check the share path before assuming the file on your PC must stay HEIC.

4. Just convert the file (fastest for one-off cases)

When a colleague mails you three HEIC files and you need them in a presentation in five minutes, installing codecs is overkill. Open our HEIC to JPG converter in any browser, drop the files in, and download JPGs. The conversion runs locally in the browser tab — the photos are not uploaded anywhere — and works the same on a locked-down work laptop where you cannot install software at all.

Which option should you pick?