Why will Windows not open HEIC files?

HEIC is the iPhone default photo format, and Windows does not ship the HEVC decoder it needs. Microsoft sells the extension in the Store, which is why you get a purchase prompt rather than a picture. Converting to JPG avoids the problem entirely and works in every program, not just Photos.

Do I have to buy the HEVC Video Extensions?

Not for photos. The extension makes Windows open HEIC directly; converting the files to JPG once achieves the same result for free, and the converted files then work in older software the extension does not help with either.

Can I convert a whole folder at once?

Yes. Add as many HEIC files as you need and convert them in one go, then download the batch together.

Are my photos uploaded to a server?

No. The decoding and conversion happen in your browser, so the photos never leave your PC. That also means there is no size limit imposed by an upload and no question about where they went.

Does this work on Mac, iPhone or Android too?

Yes. It is a web page, so the same converter runs in the browser on any of them.

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How to open HEIC files on Windows

You copy photos off an iPhone onto a Windows PC and they will not open - Photos wants you to buy an HEVC extension from the Microsoft Store, and older software will not touch them at all. You do not need a codec. Converting the files to JPG once solves it permanently, in every program, and you can do it in a browser tab. Here is how.

1. Open the Converter in any browser Go to the format converter on your PC. There is nothing to install and no account - it decodes HEIC in the page itself using WebAssembly, so it does not matter whether Windows has the codec.
2. Drop in the HEIC photos Drag the files straight from File Explorer. Add the whole folder at once if you like - a batch is the normal case when a phone has just been emptied onto a PC.
3. Choose JPG JPG is the right answer here: every version of Windows, every image viewer and every website accepts it. PNG and WebP are available if you have a reason to want them.
4. Convert and download Run the conversion and download the results together. Your original HEIC files are untouched, so nothing is lost if you want to keep them.

Open the Converter · Read the full guide

Why will Windows not open HEIC files?: HEIC is the iPhone default photo format, and Windows does not ship the HEVC decoder it needs. Microsoft sells the extension in the Store, which is why you get a purchase prompt rather than a picture. Converting to JPG avoids the problem entirely and works in every program, not just Photos.
Do I have to buy the HEVC Video Extensions?: Not for photos. The extension makes Windows open HEIC directly; converting the files to JPG once achieves the same result for free, and the converted files then work in older software the extension does not help with either.
Can I convert a whole folder at once?: Yes. Add as many HEIC files as you need and convert them in one go, then download the batch together.
Are my photos uploaded to a server?: No. The decoding and conversion happen in your browser, so the photos never leave your PC. That also means there is no size limit imposed by an upload and no question about where they went.
Does this work on Mac, iPhone or Android too?: Yes. It is a web page, so the same converter runs in the browser on any of them.