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How to Open HEIC Files on Windows (3 Easy Ways)
You copied some photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC, double-clicked one, and got nothing — or a blank icon, or an error. That’s because Windows doesn’t open HEIC files out of the box, and HEIC is what iPhones save photos as by default.
Here are three ways to fix it, from “no installation needed” to “make Windows open them natively.”
Why Windows struggles with HEIC
HEIC photos are compressed with the HEVC (H.265) codec. For licensing reasons, Windows doesn’t ship with HEVC support built in, so a fresh Windows install simply can’t decode the file. You either add the missing codec, convert the file to a format Windows already understands, or use a viewer that brings its own decoder.
Method 1: Convert HEIC to JPG (no installation)
The fastest fix — and the one that works on any Windows PC, including locked-down work computers where you can’t install anything — is to convert the photo to JPG, which Windows opens natively.
Use a converter that runs in your browser so you don’t install anything and your photos aren’t uploaded to a stranger’s server:
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drag your
.heicfiles in (or click to browse). - Click Convert, then download — individually or all at once as a ZIP.
Everything happens locally on your machine; the files never leave your device. This is the best option if you just need to see, send, or upload the photos. (You can also convert to PNG if you want lossless quality.)
Method 2: Install the HEIF codec from the Microsoft Store
If you want Windows to open HEIC files natively (double-click → Photos app), you need two extensions:
- Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (free).
- Install HEVC Video Extensions — this provides the actual decoder. Microsoft charges about $0.99 for it; some PCs have access to a free “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” version.
Once both are installed, the Windows Photos app and File Explorer thumbnails will show HEIC images directly.
This is the most convenient long-term fix if you regularly receive HEIC files and don’t mind the small cost and setup. The downside: it’s fiddly, the free decoder isn’t always available, and it won’t help on a PC where you can’t install Store apps.
Method 3: Use an image viewer that supports HEIC
Some third-party image viewers and editors bundle their own HEIC decoder, so they open the files regardless of what Windows supports. If you already use a photo app that lists HEIC/HEIF support, you can simply open the files there.
This is handy if you want to view HEIC photos without converting them or paying for the codec — but you’ll still need to convert to JPG/PNG whenever you want to upload or share them somewhere that rejects HEIC.
Bonus: stop your iPhone creating HEIC files
To avoid the problem with future photos, set your iPhone to shoot JPG:
Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible
New photos will be JPG (larger files, but they open everywhere). Your existing HEIC photos still need converting.
Which method should you choose?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Just need to view/send a few photos | Convert to JPG (Method 1) |
| Can’t install anything (work PC) | Convert to JPG (Method 1) |
| Receive HEIC files often, want native support | Install the codec (Method 2) |
| Want to view without converting | Third-party viewer (Method 3) |
For most people, converting to JPG is the simplest answer: nothing to install, works on every PC, and the photos end up in a format you can use anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows 10 open HEIC? Not by default. You need the HEIF + HEVC extensions from the Microsoft Store, or you can convert the files to JPG first.
Is converting HEIC to JPG free? Yes — Pixore’s converter is free, runs in your browser, and never uploads your photos.
Will I lose quality converting HEIC to JPG? At a high quality setting the difference is invisible. If you need a perfect copy, convert to PNG instead, which is lossless.