HEIC→JPG Converter

How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 11 and 10 (3 Free Ways)

Published July 6, 2026

You transferred photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC, double-clicked one, and Windows either showed an error or asked you to buy a codec from the Microsoft Store. Nothing is broken — your photos are in HEIC format, which iPhones use by default, and Windows doesn't fully support it out of the box. Here are three free ways to open them, starting with the fastest.

Method 1: Convert HEIC to JPG in your browser (fastest, no installs)

If you just need to open, share, or print the photos, the quickest fix is converting them to JPG — a format every Windows version has supported since the 1990s. You don't need to install anything: a browser-based converter does it right on your PC.

  1. Open the converter in any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox — all work).
  2. Drag your HEIC files into the drop zone. You can select dozens at once.
  3. Download the converted JPGs individually or as a single ZIP.

Because the conversion happens locally in your browser, your photos are never uploaded to a server — a real advantage over most online converters when the photos are personal.

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Method 2: Install Microsoft's free HEIF Image Extensions

If you want Windows itself to open HEIC files natively, Microsoft offers a free codec:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store and search for "HEIF Image Extensions" (published by Microsoft).
  2. Install it — it's free.
  3. Restart the Photos app. HEIC files should now open and show thumbnails in File Explorer.

One catch: some HEIC photos also require the "HEVC Video Extensions" codec, which Microsoft charges about a dollar for. If photos still won't open after installing the free HEIF extension, that's usually why — and converting to JPG (Method 1) remains the free workaround.

Method 3: Change your iPhone settings for future photos

This doesn't fix existing files, but it prevents the problem from recurring. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible. Your iPhone will take photos in JPG from then on. There's also a transfer-only option: Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic converts photos to JPG during transfer while keeping HEIC on the phone.

Which method should you choose?

For a one-time batch of photos, Method 1 is the fastest and requires zero installs. If you regularly receive HEIC files and want File Explorer thumbnails, add Method 2. And if the photos come from your own iPhone, Method 3 stops the problem at the source.

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