How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 and 11

Why Windows can't open HEIC files by default

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11. It produces smaller file sizes than JPG at similar quality, which is why iPhones use it. The catch: HEIC relies on the HEIF standard and the HEVC codec, neither of which Microsoft bundles into Windows by default due to licensing costs. So when you transfer iPhone photos to a Windows PC, you often see a blank thumbnail or an error saying the file cannot be opened.

The situation differs slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the fix you need depends on which version you have.

Option 1: Windows 11 — install the free HEIF Image Extensions

Windows 11 handles HEIC more smoothly than Windows 10. In many cases, Windows 11 already has the necessary extension installed. If it does not, follow these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Store (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Search for "HEIF Image Extensions".
3. Click Get or Install — it is free.
4. Once installed, open your HEIC file with the Photos app. It should display correctly without any further configuration.

Microsoft's support page for the Photos app and supported formats is available at support.microsoft.com if you need additional guidance.

Option 2: Windows 10 — HEIF Image Extensions + the HEVC situation

Windows 10 requires the same HEIF Image Extensions app, but there is an extra wrinkle: some HEIC files also need the HEVC Video Extensions codec to decode correctly. Here is what you need to know:

• HEIF Image Extensions — free in the Microsoft Store. Enables basic HEIC/HEIF support in the Photos app and File Explorer thumbnails. Install this first.
• HEVC Video Extensions — historically listed at $0.99 in the Microsoft Store. This codec is required for HEVC video (the container format underlying HEIC). For still photos, the free HEIF extension is usually sufficient. If photos still won't open after installing the HEIF extension, you may need the HEVC codec as well. Microsoft also distributes a free "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" version on eligible hardware — check whether it appears in your Store before purchasing.

Steps for Windows 10:

1. Open Microsoft Store and search for "HEIF Image Extensions".
2. Install it (free).
3. Try opening your HEIC file in the Photos app.
4. If it still fails, search for "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" — if that free version appears for your device, install it. Otherwise, decide whether the $0.99 paid version is worthwhile for your needs, or use the conversion approach below instead.

Option 3: Use the Windows Photos app after installing extensions

Once the HEIF Image Extensions are installed, the Windows Photos app becomes your primary HEIC viewer. To open a HEIC file in Photos:

• Right-click the file in File Explorer and choose Open with › Photos.
• Or set Photos as the default: right-click the file, choose Open with › Choose another app, select Photos, and tick "Always use this app to open .heic files".

File Explorer thumbnails for HEIC files also appear after the extension is installed, making it easier to browse large photo libraries without opening each image individually.

Option 4: Convert HEIC to JPG — the universal fix

Installing extensions solves the viewing problem on your own machine, but does not help when you share HEIC photos with someone on an older PC, send them by email, or upload them to a service that rejects the format. Converting to JPG makes files work everywhere without any plugins or settings changes on the recipient's end.

HEIC Fox converts HEIC photos to JPG (or PNG) directly in your browser. Drop in one photo or a batch of hundreds — the conversion runs locally using WebAssembly, so your images are never uploaded to a server. This is especially useful if the photos contain sensitive location metadata you do not want to share with a third-party service.

For ongoing use, you can also change your iPhone to shoot in JPG by default — see the guide on turning off HEIC on iPhone for that setting.

Which option should you choose?

If you only need to view photos on your own Windows PC, install the free HEIF Image Extensions and use the Photos app. If you need photos to work in older editing software, be shared broadly, or uploaded to web services, converting to JPG using HEIC Fox is the more durable solution. There is no harm in doing both.