How to View HEIC Files in Windows 10’s Photos App
With a few mouse clicks, you can add support for HEIC image files to newer versions of Windows 10. This also works on Windows 11.
First, open File Explorer on your PC and double-click a HEIC file. When asked which application you wish to open it in, choose “Photos.”
Tip: If the HEIC file doesn’t open in the Photos app, right-click the HEIC file and select Open With > Photos.
“The HEIF Image Extension is required to display this file,” says the Photos app. To get it from the Microsoft Store, click the “Download and install it now” button. It’s a free download, and it only takes a few minutes to install.
You must also have the HEVC Video Extensions package installed. This is normally $0.99. We offer a method for you to obtain the HEVC Video Extensions for free. If that method does not work for you and you do not want to spend $0.99, we propose that you instead use the free alternative described below.
When Windows prompts you, “Did you mean to switch apps?” choose “Yes.”
This will launch the Microsoft Store app and take you to the HEIF Image Extensions page. To download and install support for HEIC picture files, click the “Install” button. (which use the HEIF format.)
Now, when you open an HEIC image in the Photos app, you’ll be able to view it like you would any other image file, like a JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP.
Windows 10’s File Explorer will automatically generate and display thumbnails for your HEIC image files, too.
How to Convert HEIC to JPEG on Windows
Download and install CopyTrans HEIC for Windows to quickly and effortlessly convert HEIC files to regular JPG photos on Windows.
This application adds full support for HEIC photos to Windows, making it especially useful for Windows 7 and previous versions of Windows 10 that lack built-in support in the Photos app. It adds HEIC image capability to the traditional Windows Photo Viewer.
CopyTrans HEIC also allows you to convert a HEIC file to a JPEG file by right-clicking it in File Explorer and selecting “Convert to JPEG.” If you choose this option, a JPEG version of the image will be automatically saved in the same folder as the original HEIC file.
Because JPEG files are more commonly accepted, you can utilize the HEIC file in apps that only handle JPEG photos but not HEIC files.
How to Open HEIC Images in Other Applications
More programs are adding native HEIC image file support in HEIF format. Adobe Photoshop, for example, can now open these files, albeit you will need to install both the HEIF Image Extensions package and the HEVC Video Extensions software.
We also like IrfanView as a superb, straightforward picture viewer. According to IrfanView’s official FAQ, HEIC picture files can be opened as long as you have either CopyTrans HEIC for Windows or the HEIF and HEVC programs installed.
Perform a web search for the name of your favorite image viewing or editing program and “HEIC” for further details.
How to Convert HEIC Files to JPEG on the Web
You can always utilize an online converting tool if you don’t want to install any software. You can download a JPEG after uploading the HEIC file.
While the website below worked well for us, we strongly advise against posting any private images (or documents, or movies) to internet conversion tools. If the photo contains critical information, it is advisable to keep it on your computer. On the other hand, if the photo isn’t likely to be of interest to anyone snooping, there’s no reason to worry about uploading it to an online service. This is a general advice for any file format. We also advise against uploading PDFs containing sensitive financial or commercial data to online PDF conversion services.
If you only need a rapid conversion, go to HEICtoJPG.com and upload up to five photographs at once. You can add one or more HEIC files from your PC to the web page by dragging and dropping them.
The website will convert those files to JPEGs for you, and the resulting JPG files can be downloaded from the page.
If dealing with HEIC files is hard for you, you can set your iPhone to take images in the more compatible JPEG format by default. HEIC, on the other hand, provides superior image quality in fewer file sizes. It’s a more modern image format, and we encourage using it if your applications support it.
11/8/21, 9:30 a.m. Eastern: We double-checked everything in this article to ensure that it also works in Windows 11. While certain displays may look somewhat different as a result of the UI update, everything should function normally. You can always use Irfanview instead of the default photo program.
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