How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 10 and 11

Windows does not support HEIC files out of the box. Transferring photos from an iPhone to a Windows 10 or 11 PC produces files that File Explorer cannot thumbnail, Photos cannot open, and most applications reject entirely. The HEVC codec that HEIC relies on carries patent licensing costs, which is why Microsoft excludes it from the default Windows installation.

This guide covers five methods to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows, from the fastest zero-install option to command-line automation for power users.

Method 1: Use HEICify in Your Browser (Recommended)

The fastest way to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows requires no installation at all. HEICify's HEIC to JPG converter runs entirely in your browser. The conversion happens locally on your device -- your photos are never uploaded to any server.

Steps:

1. Open HEICify HEIC to JPG converter in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or any modern browser
2. Drag and drop your HEIC files onto the page, or click to browse and select them
3. Adjust the quality slider if needed (default is 92%)
4. Click Convert
5. Download the converted JPG files individually or as a batch

Why this is the best option for most Windows users:

• Works immediately -- no extensions, codecs, or software to install
• Handles batch conversion -- drop 50 files at once instead of converting one at a time
• Private by design -- files stay on your machine. HEICify uses Web Workers for local processing
• Identical results on Windows 10 and 11 -- no version-specific behavior
• Works on managed PCs -- corporate machines that block Microsoft Store or software installs

This is the method to use when you need JPG files right now and do not want to deal with codec installation. For a broader look at conversion options across all platforms, see How to Convert HEIC to JPG: 5 Easy Methods.

Installing HEIF and HEVC Extensions on Windows

Methods 2, 3, and 5 below require HEIC codec support in Windows. This means installing two extensions from the Microsoft Store. Complete this step first before proceeding to those methods.

Step-by-step installation:

1. Open the Microsoft Store app from the Start menu
2. Search for HEIF Image Extensions (published by Microsoft, free) and click Install
3. Search for HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer -- use that exact name
4. Install the HEVC extension (also free)
5. Restart your PC if File Explorer still shows blank thumbnails

The HEVC extension naming trap:

Microsoft publishes two HEVC extensions in the Store. The one simply titled "HEVC Video Extensions" costs $0.99. The one titled "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" is free and functionally identical. Search for the full name with "from Device Manufacturer" to find the free version. If the free version does not appear in search results, try this direct Microsoft Store link.

Windows 10 vs Windows 11 differences:

• Windows 11 may pre-install the HEIF extension on newer builds, but the HEVC extension still requires manual installation
• Windows 10 requires both extensions installed manually
• Both operating systems use the same extensions from the same Store listings
• The Photos app interface differs between versions, but the conversion steps are functionally the same

When extensions cannot be installed:

Corporate PCs, school computers, and machines with restricted Microsoft Store access cannot install these extensions. In that case, skip directly to Method 1 -- HEICify's browser-based converter works without any installation.

Method 2: Convert Using Windows Photos App

After installing the HEIF and HEVC extensions, the Windows Photos app can open HEIC files and save them as JPG.

Steps on Windows 11:

1. Right-click the HEIC file in File Explorer
2. Select Open with > Photos
3. Click the three-dot menu (...) in the top toolbar
4. Select Save as
5. In the "Save as type" dropdown, choose JPG or .jpg
6. Pick a destination folder and click Save

Steps on Windows 10:

1. Right-click the HEIC file and select Open with > Photos
2. Click Edit & Create in the top toolbar
3. Select Edit
4. Click Save a copy (this creates a JPG copy by default)
5. Alternatively, use the three-dot menu and select Save as to choose the format explicitly

Limitations:

• One file at a time -- Photos has no batch export feature
• No quality control -- you cannot set a specific JPG quality percentage
• Interface varies by version -- the menu structure differs between Windows 10, Windows 11, and different Photos app updates

For converting more than 3-4 files, a batch-capable tool saves significant time.

Method 3: Convert Using Paint

Paint is the simplest single-file conversion method once HEIC support is installed.

Steps:

1. Right-click the HEIC file in File Explorer
2. Select Open with > Paint
3. Click File > Save as > JPEG picture
4. Choose a folder, name the file, and click Save

What to know:

• Paint saves JPGs at a fixed quality level around 75-80%. You cannot adjust this.
• One file at a time only -- no batch support
• Works identically on Windows 10 and Windows 11
• The file size of the resulting JPG will be smaller than what a 90%+ quality setting produces

Paint works in a pinch for a single file. For anything more, a dedicated tool is more practical.

Method 4: Convert Using PowerShell and ImageMagick

For batch conversion of large photo libraries, 50 files or more, command-line tools offer the most control and speed.

Install ImageMagick:

1. Download the Windows installer from imagemagick.org
2. Run the installer and check "Add to system PATH" during setup
3. Open a new PowerShell window after installation

Convert a single file:

magick convert photo.heic photo.jpg

Batch convert all HEIC files in a folder:

Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Users\YourName\Photos" -Filter *.heic | ForEach-Object {
    magick convert $_.FullName ($_.FullName -replace '\.heic$', '.jpg')
}

Convert with specific quality:

magick convert -quality 92 photo.heic photo.jpg

Advantages of this method:

• Full batch support -- convert thousands of files in a single command
• Quality control -- set exact JPG quality from 1-100
• Scriptable -- integrate into automated workflows, scheduled tasks, or backup scripts
• Metadata preservation -- ImageMagick preserves EXIF data including GPS, camera model, and timestamps

Drawbacks:

• Requires installing ImageMagick (about 30 MB)
• Requires comfort with the command line
• Still needs the HEIF/HEVC extensions installed, unless you use an ImageMagick build compiled with libheif support

Method 5: File Explorer Right-Click Context Menu

After installing the HEIF and HEVC extensions, you can add HEIC-to-JPG conversion to the right-click context menu using a simple registry edit or a third-party shell extension.

Using CopyTrans HEIC (free third-party tool):

1. Download and install CopyTrans HEIC for Windows from the CopyTrans website
2. After installation, right-click any HEIC file in File Explorer
3. Select Convert to JPEG with CopyTrans
4. The JPG file appears in the same folder as the original

What CopyTrans HEIC provides:

• Right-click context menu conversion for individual or multiple selected files
• HEIC thumbnail support in File Explorer (independent of Microsoft Store extensions)
• Works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11
• Free for personal use

Alternative: iMazing HEIC Converter

Another free option is iMazing HEIC Converter, available from the Microsoft Store. It provides a drag-and-drop window rather than a context menu, but handles batch conversion and offers a quality slider. It converts to both JPG and PNG formats.

Method Comparison

| Method | Batch Support | Quality Control | Requires Install | Works on Managed PCs | Speed (10 files) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | HEICify (browser) | Yes | Yes (slider) | No | Yes | ~15 seconds | | Windows Photos | No | No | Extensions only | No | ~2 min | | Paint | No | No | Extensions only | No | ~3 min | | PowerShell + ImageMagick | Yes | Yes (exact %) | Yes | No | ~5 seconds | | Right-click (CopyTrans) | Yes (multi-select) | No | Yes | No | ~20 seconds |

Tips for Windows Users

• Keep originals. HEIC files are 30-50% smaller than equivalent JPGs. Store the originals as space-efficient backups and convert copies for sharing.
• Use 90-95% quality when you control the setting. This produces visually identical results to the HEIC original with reasonable file sizes.
• Check your iPhone transfer settings. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Photos and select "Automatic" under "Transfer to Mac or PC." This tells iOS to convert to JPG during USB transfers to Windows. It does not apply to cloud storage or email attachments.
• Avoid unknown converter installers. Searching "HEIC to JPG converter" on the web produces many download sites bundling adware or bloatware. Use trusted sources: HEICify in your browser, the Microsoft Store, or well-known open source tools like ImageMagick.
• For web uploads and printing services, JPG at 90%+ quality meets the requirements of virtually every platform, including social media sites, photo printing services, and document submission portals.

When to Convert vs. When to Install Extensions

Install the extensions if you regularly work with HEIC files and want Windows to treat them like any other image format -- thumbnails, previews, opening in any app.

Use a converter if you occasionally receive HEIC files from iPhone users, work on a computer where you cannot install software, or need to deliver JPGs to someone else. HEICify's HEIC to JPG converter handles this without changing anything on your system.

For a complete overview of HEIC conversion across all platforms and devices, see How to Convert HEIC to JPG: 5 Easy Methods. If you are having trouble viewing HEIC files before converting, How to Open HEIC Files on Any Device covers platform-specific viewing solutions.