How to Open HEIC Files on Windows? read the article to get a detailed guide on how images from IOS format can be opened in the Windows Os.
The iPhone/Pad takes photos in the HEIF image format, i.e., these photos will have the HEIC file extension. Windows 10, as well as Windows 11, can view HEIC files in just a few clicks. Or, if you want to you can convert them to standard JPEGs and view them anywhere.
How to open HEIC Files on Windows 10’s device using the Photos App?
First, locate a HEIC file on your computer, then double-click it. If you are asked which application you want to open it in, click on “Photos.”
Tip – If the HEIC file is not opening in the Photos app, right-click on the HEIC file, then click on Open With > Photos.
The Photos app will display a message saying “the HEIF Image Extension is required to display the file.” Click on “Download and install it now” to get it from the Microsoft Store. This is a free download, installing it takes only a few moments.
Note – Sadly, you will also have to have the HEVC Video Extensions package installed. This on the other hand costs $0.99. There was once a way to get the HEVC Video Extensions for free, however, this trick no longer works. If you don’t wish to spend $0.99, you can use the free solution we provide below instead.
When Windows presents the question “Did you mean to switch apps?” click on “Yes.”
After you click on yes, it will open the HEIF Image Extensions page in the Microsoft Store. Click on “Install” to download, then install support for HEIC image files (The files that use the HEIF format.)
Now, when you open a HEIC image in the Photos app, you will be able to view it like any other image file, for example, a JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP.
Windows 10’s File Explorer will automatically generate as well as display thumbnails for your HEIC image files. this is how you open HEIC files on Windows.
How to Convert HEIC to JPEG on Windows?
To easily convert HEIC Files on Windows to standard JPG images on Windows, it is recommended you download, then install CopyTrans HEIC for Windows.
This tool installs full support for HEIC images in Windows, thus, making it particularly useful for Windows 7 and older versions of Windows 10 which don’t have integrated support in the Photos app. This adds support for HEIC images to the Windows Photo Viewer.
CopyTrans HEIC also provides you the ability to right-click a HEIC file in File Explorer, then select “Convert to JPEG” to quickly and easily convert it into a JPEG file. Click on the option, then you will get a JPEG version of the image automatically placed in the same folder as the original HEIC file.
JPEG files are more widely supported; thus, it will help you use the HEIC file in applications that support only JPEG images.
Convert Between File Formats
- Image Formats —
- Any Image to JPG
- Any Image to PNG
- HEIC to JPG (iPhone)
- HEIC to JPG (Windows)
- HEIC to JPG (Mac)
- Office Documents —
- Word to PDF
- PDF to Word
- Google Docs to Office
- PDF to Text
- PDF to JPG (Mac)
- JPG to PDF (iPhone)
- JPG to PDF (Windows)
- DOCX to PPTX
- Video Formats —
- Live Photos to GIF or Movie (iPhone)
- MKV to MP4
- Any Video to Any Format
- Audio Formats —
- WMA to MP3
- WAV to MP3
- Video to MP3
How to Open HEIC Images in Other Applications?
A large number of programs are gaining native support for HEIC image files in HEIF format. For example, Adobe Photoshop can now open HEIC files. Although you will have to install both the HEIF Image Extensions package mentioned above as well as the HEVC Video Extensions software.
IrfanView is a great, simple image viewer. IrfanView’s official FAQ says it will open HEIC image files as long as you have either CopyTrans HEIC for Windows. Or, if you have the HEIF as well as the HEVC packages installed.
For more information on HEIC support in your favorite image viewing or editing program, you can perform a web search for its name and “HEIC.”
How to Convert HEIC Files to JPEG using the Web?
If you are not too keen on installing any software, you could always use an online conversion tool. All you need is to upload the HEIC file, then you will be able to download a JPEG.
Warning – Though the website stated below works perfectly fine for users, it is strongly recommended against uploading any private photos (or documents, or videos) to online tools for conversion. If the photo contains sensitive content, it is best to leave it on your PC. On the contrary, if the photo you want to convert would not be interesting to anyone snooping, then it poses no real concern to use an online service. This can be considered as a general recommendation regarding any type of file. For example, it is not recommended you upload PDFs with sensitive financial or business data in them to online PDF conversion services, because there is always an inherent risk of information leaking.
If you just want the process to be a quick conversion, head to HEICtoJPG.com, here you can upload up to five photos at a time. You can drag and drop one or more HEIC files from your computer onto this web page.
The website will convert the files from HEIC to JPEGs for you. You can then download the resulting JPG files from the page.
Does dealing with HEIC files feel inconvenient? Don’t worry you have the ability to configure your iPhone to take photos in the more compatible JPEG format by default. However, HEIC provides higher image quality in smaller size files. HEIC is a more modern image format, thus, it is recommended to stick with it if the applications you are using support it.
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