Can't Open HEIC File on Windows — 3 Quick Fixes

You just transferred a batch of photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC, and instead of seeing your vacation shots, you see grey thumbnails that won't open. The error says "Can't open this file" or "HEIC format not supported." Sound familiar? You're not alone — millions of Windows users run into this problem every day.

The short answer: Windows doesn't natively support HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding), the default photo format Apple uses on iPhones and iPads. But the fix is simple and takes under two minutes. Below we walk through three proven solutions so you can view and edit your HEIC photos on any Windows machine.

Why Can't Windows Open HEIC Files?

HEIC is a modern image format based on the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) compression standard. Apple adopted HEIC starting with iOS 11 in 2017 because it stores photos at roughly half the file size of JPEG while maintaining identical or better visual quality.

Microsoft's Windows operating system does not include built-in HEIC support for licensing reasons. HEVC (the underlying codec) requires royalty payments, so Microsoft leaves it as an optional add-on rather than including it by default. That means Windows Photos, Windows Photo Viewer, and most built-in apps simply don't know how to decode the format.

Here are the three fastest ways to fix it.

Fix 1: Install the Free HEIC Codec from the Microsoft Store

This is the official solution and the one we recommend for most users. Microsoft offers a free codec extension that adds HEIC support to Windows in seconds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC. You can find it in the Start Menu or search for "Microsoft Store."

Step 2: Search for "HEIF Image Extensions." This is the official Microsoft package that enables HEIC and HEIF support. Look for the one published by Microsoft Corporation — it is free. Alternatively, search for "HEVC Video Extensions" from the device manufacturer, though this one sometimes costs a small fee depending on your hardware.

Step 3: Click "Install" and wait about 30 seconds for the download to complete.

Step 4: Restart Windows Photos or any image viewer. Your HEIC files will now open like any regular image.

That is it. Once the extension is installed, Windows Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and virtually every Windows app will recognize and display HEIC files. You can double-click, edit, print, and share them as if they were JPEGs.

Does the Codec Cost Money?

The HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft is completely free. However, some users report needing the HEVC Video Extensions as well, which may carry a small fee (around $0.99) depending on your PC manufacturer. Try the free HEIF extension first — it works for the vast majority of users.

Fix 2: Convert HEIC to JPG Using Our Free Browser Tool

If you prefer not to install anything on your computer, or if you need to share HEIC photos with someone who doesn't have the codec, converting to JPG or PNG is the simplest route.

Our free HEIC to JPG converter works entirely in your browser. Here is how to use it:

Step 1: Go to the HEIC to JPG converter page.

Step 2: Click the upload area and select your HEIC files, or simply drag and drop them from File Explorer onto the page.

Step 3: Choose your output format — JPG for smallest file size and widest compatibility, or PNG if you need lossless quality.

Step 4: Click "Convert" and wait a few seconds. The conversion happens entirely in your browser — your files never leave your computer.

Step 5: Download the converted files. They will open anywhere, on any device, immediately.

This is the fastest fix if you need to share photos with others, upload them to a website that doesn't accept HEIC, or simply don't want to modify your system. You can even batch-convert dozens of photos at once.

Why This Fix Is Fastest for Most People

Installing the codec works great, but if you are on a work computer where you cannot install software, or if you only need to open HEIC files occasionally, the browser-based converter is the most practical option. It requires zero installations, zero permissions, and zero configuration. The conversion is also completely private since all processing happens client-side using WebAssembly.

Fix 3: Change iPhone Settings to Shoot JPG Instead of HEIC

If you want to prevent this issue from happening again, you can change your iPhone camera settings to save photos in the universally compatible JPEG format instead of HEIC.

How to Change iPhone Camera Format

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap "Camera."

Step 3: Tap "Formats" near the top of the Camera settings page.

Step 4: Under "Camera Capture," select "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency."

Once you switch to "Most Compatible," your iPhone will save all new photos as JPEG and videos as H.264 instead of the HEIC/HEVC formats. The difference in file size is noticeable — a 4MB HEIC photo might become a 6-7MB JPEG — but you will never see the "Can't open this file" error again on any device.

One caveat: this only affects new photos you take after changing the setting. Existing HEIC photos on your phone or computer will still need to be converted or viewed with the codec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?

Yes, but the loss is usually imperceptible. HEIC uses more advanced compression than JPEG, so a HEIC image at the same bit depth typically looks better than a JPEG of the same file size. When you convert HEIC to JPG, you are re-compressing an already-compressed image, which introduces a small generational loss. However, if you use a high-quality JPG setting (95%+), the difference is invisible to the naked eye. For archival purposes, we recommend keeping the original HEIC file and converting copies only when needed.

Can I batch-convert multiple HEIC files?

Absolutely. Our HEIC converter allows you to select multiple files at once and convert them all in one click. There is no limit on the number of files you can convert, though very large batches may take a few minutes since all processing happens locally in your browser.

How do I set Windows to always open HEIC files after installing the codec?

After installing the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, the default Windows Photos app will automatically handle HEIC files. If it doesn't, right-click any HEIC file, select "Open with," choose "Photos," and check "Always use this app to open .heic files." That will set the association permanently.

Can I open HEIC files in older versions of Windows like Windows 7 or 8?

HEIC support is limited on older Windows versions. The Microsoft Store extensions only work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are running Windows 7 or 8, your best option is to convert the HEIC files using our browser-based tool, which works on any operating system with a modern web browser.

Is HEIC better than JPEG?

In terms of compression efficiency, yes. HEIC files are about half the size of equivalent JPEG files at the same visual quality. HEIC also supports advanced features like image sequences (Live Photos), depth maps (Portrait mode), and 16-bit color depth. However, JPEG's universal compatibility means it remains the standard for sharing and publishing images online.

If you want to learn more about the format itself, read our article on what HEIC format is and why iPhones use it.