How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 and 11

Windows cannot open HEIC files without installing 2 free extensions from the Microsoft Store. The HEVC codec that HEIC relies on carries patent licensing fees, so Microsoft excludes it from the default Windows installation. Once you install the missing extensions, File Explorer, Photos, Paint, and most third-party apps handle HEIC files natively. If you cannot install extensions, a browser-based tool does the job without touching your system.

This guide walks through the complete extension installation process, explains what works after setup, covers the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and provides alternatives for managed and corporate PCs.

Why Windows Blocks HEIC Files

HEIC stores image data using the HEVC (H.265) compression codec. HEVC is patented technology controlled by 3 separate patent pools: MPEG LA, Access Advance, and individual licensors. Any software that decodes HEVC must pay royalties to these patent holders.

Apple pays these fees for macOS and iOS, which is why iPhones save HEIC photos and Macs display them without trouble. Microsoft chose not to absorb the cost for Windows. Instead, the company offers the HEVC decoder as a separate download through the Microsoft Store.

The result: every iPhone photo transferred to a Windows PC arrives as a .heic file that File Explorer cannot thumbnail and Photos cannot open. The fix takes about 2 minutes. For a deeper explanation of this compatibility gap, see Why Can't I Open HEIC Files?.

Installing the Required Extensions

You need 2 extensions from the Microsoft Store. Both must be installed for full HEIC support.

Step 1: Install HEIF Image Extensions

1. Open the Microsoft Store app from the Start menu or taskbar
2. Type HEIF Image Extensions in the search bar
3. Select the result published by Microsoft Corporation
4. Click Get or Install
5. Wait for the installation to complete (under 30 seconds)

This extension teaches Windows to recognize the HEIC/HEIF container format. It is free with no conditions.

Step 2: Install HEVC Video Extensions

This is where most people hit a snag. Microsoft publishes 2 versions of the HEVC extension in the Store:

• HEVC Video Extensions -- costs $0.99
• HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer -- free

Both are functionally identical. The free version is the one you want. Search for the exact phrase "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" to find it. If the free version does not appear in search results, try this direct Microsoft Store link.

1. Search for HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer in the Microsoft Store
2. Confirm the listing shows Free (not $0.99)
3. Click Get or Install
4. Wait for installation to complete

Step 3: Restart Your Computer

A restart is not always required, but it ensures all system components pick up the new codecs. If File Explorer still shows blank thumbnails after installing both extensions, restart the PC. Thumbnails regenerate within 1-2 minutes after logging back in.

What Works After Installation

Once both extensions are installed, HEIC support propagates across Windows. Here is exactly what changes:

File Explorer

• Thumbnails render correctly for .heic and .heif files
• Preview pane (toggle with Alt+P) displays HEIC images
• Details pane shows image dimensions, date taken, and camera metadata

Windows Photos App

• Opens HEIC files with full viewing, zooming, and rotation
• Basic editing tools (crop, rotate, filters, adjustments) work on HEIC files directly
• Save as lets you export to JPG, PNG, TIFF, and BMP formats
• Slideshow mode includes HEIC files alongside other image formats

Paint and Paint 3D

• Paint opens HEIC files and can resave them as JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, or TIFF
• Paint 3D provides the same format support with additional editing capabilities
• Paint saves JPGs at a fixed quality level around 75-80% with no adjustment option

Quick Look (Windows 11)

Windows 11 added a Quick Look feature similar to macOS. Select a file in File Explorer and press the Spacebar to preview it. After installing the extensions, Quick Look displays HEIC files instantly without opening a separate application.

Microsoft 365 Applications

Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook can all insert and display HEIC images after the extensions are installed. This matters for creating documents with iPhone photos.

Third-Party Applications

Most third-party image viewers and editors that rely on Windows codecs gain HEIC support automatically:

• IrfanView (with plugins): Lightweight and fast, handles HEIC well
• XnView: Supports HEIC and over 500 other formats
• FastStone Image Viewer: Displays HEIC after codec installation
• Adobe Photoshop / Lightroom: Full HEIC support in recent versions, independent of Windows codecs

Windows 10 vs Windows 11 Differences

The extension installation process is identical on both operating systems. The differences are in what each version provides before and after installation.

Windows 11

• Some builds pre-install the HEIF Image Extension. Check by opening the Microsoft Store and searching for "HEIF Image Extensions." If it shows "Installed," skip to the HEVC extension.
• Quick Look (Spacebar preview) works with HEIC files after codec installation. Windows 10 does not have this feature.
• The Photos app has a different interface. The "Save as" option is under the three-dot menu (...) in the top toolbar.
• File Explorer tabs (added in Windows 11 22H2) let you drag HEIC files between folder tabs for organization.

Windows 10

• Both extensions require manual installation. Neither is pre-installed on any Windows 10 build.
• No Quick Look feature. You must open a separate application to view HEIC files.
• The Photos app uses an older layout. Access export options through Edit & Create > Edit > Save a copy, or use the three-dot menu for "Save as."
• Thumbnail generation is slower. Windows 10 takes 2-5 seconds longer to render HEIC thumbnails in folders with many image files compared to Windows 11.

What is identical on both

• Both use the same Microsoft Store extension listings
• Both support the same HEIC features after installation
• Both require the same restart step if thumbnails do not appear
• Both require admin rights to install the extensions

Alternative: Browser-Based Viewing and Conversion

If you cannot or do not want to install extensions, you can view and convert HEIC files directly in your browser. HEICify's HEIC to JPG converter works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and any other modern browser on Windows 10 or 11.

How to use HEICify:

1. Open HEICify HEIC to JPG converter in any browser
2. Drag and drop your HEIC files onto the page
3. Adjust the quality slider if needed (default is 92%)
4. Click Convert
5. Download the converted JPG files

Why use a browser tool instead of extensions:

• No admin rights required -- works on locked-down corporate machines
• No installation at all -- nothing is added to your system
• Batch processing -- convert 50 files at once instead of opening them one at a time in Photos
• Quality control -- set exact JPG quality from 1-100%
• Privacy -- files are processed locally in your browser using Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to any server.

For PNG output with transparency support, use HEICify's HEIC to PNG converter.

Troubleshooting: Extensions Installed but HEIC Still Not Working

You installed both extensions, but HEIC files still show blank thumbnails or fail to open. This is a common issue with 5 known causes.

1. Missing restart

The most frequent cause. Restart your PC fully (shut down, not sleep or hibernate). Log back in and wait 1-2 minutes for thumbnail generation to complete.

2. Only one extension installed

Both HEIF and HEVC extensions are required. Open the Microsoft Store, search for each one, and confirm both show "Installed." The HEIF extension handles the container format. The HEVC extension decodes the image data. Neither works alone.

3. Corrupted extension installation

Uninstall both extensions from Settings > Apps, restart, then reinstall them from the Microsoft Store. This resolves most cases where the extensions appear installed but do not function.

4. Outdated Windows build

Extensions require Windows 10 version 1809 or later. Check your version by pressing Win+R, typing winver, and pressing Enter. If your build number is below 17763, update Windows first through Settings > Update & Security.

5. Thumbnail cache corruption

Windows caches generated thumbnails. A corrupted cache prevents new thumbnails from appearing. To clear it:

1. Open Disk Cleanup from the Start menu
2. Select your system drive (usually C:)
3. Check Thumbnails in the list
4. Click OK and confirm
5. Restart File Explorer or your PC

After clearing the cache, Windows regenerates all thumbnails the next time you browse your image folders.

Managed and Corporate PC Workarounds

Many corporate environments block Microsoft Store access entirely. IT departments disable the Store through Group Policy or device management tools. On these machines, the standard extension installation path does not work.

Options for managed PCs:

1. Use HEICify in any browser. This is the simplest workaround. Open HEICify's HEIC to JPG converter, drop your HEIC files, and download JPGs. No admin rights needed. The IT department cannot block a website-based tool (unless they specifically block the domain).

2. Request IT to deploy the extensions. Microsoft provides enterprise deployment options for the HEIF and HEVC extensions through MSIX packages and Microsoft Intune. IT administrators can push the extensions to managed devices without enabling the Microsoft Store for end users.

3. Use a portable image viewer. IrfanView Portable and XnView MP Portable can run from a USB drive without installation. If your IT policy allows running portable applications, these viewers can open HEIC files using bundled codecs that do not require system-level installation.

4. Configure iPhone transfer settings. If you receive HEIC files by transferring from your own iPhone via USB, change the transfer format. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Photos and select Automatic under "Transfer to Mac or PC." iOS converts HEIC to JPG during USB transfers, bypassing the problem entirely. This setting does not affect cloud storage or email attachments.

When to Install Extensions vs. When to Convert

The right approach depends on how often you encounter HEIC files.

Install the extensions if:

• You regularly transfer photos from an iPhone to your Windows PC
• You receive HEIC files from colleagues or family members weekly
• You want Windows to treat HEIC like any other image format permanently
• You use the Photos app or Paint for editing and need to work directly with HEIC files

Use a browser converter if:

• You encounter HEIC files occasionally, a few times per month or less
• You work on a managed PC where you cannot install extensions
• You need JPG or PNG output for uploading, printing, or sharing with others
• You want to convert a batch of files quickly without modifying your system

Both approaches coexist. Many Windows users install the extensions for daily use and keep HEICify bookmarked for batch conversions and situations where extensions fall short.

Summary

Windows does not open HEIC files by default because the required HEVC codec has patent licensing costs. Installing 2 free extensions from the Microsoft Store -- HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer -- adds full HEIC support to File Explorer, Photos, Paint, and most third-party applications. The process takes under 2 minutes.

If you cannot install extensions, convert HEIC files to JPG using HEICify's browser-based converter. It works on any Windows PC without installation, admin rights, or file uploads.

For step-by-step conversion instructions across 5 different methods, see How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows. For HEIC compatibility issues on other platforms, see How to Open HEIC Files on Any Device.