Why can't Windows open HEIC files?

Windows does not include built-in support for HEIC because the format uses H.265 (HEVC) compression, which is covered by patents requiring licensing fees. Microsoft makes the HEVC codec available for purchase in the Microsoft Store (HEVC Video Extensions), but it costs money. Windows Photo Viewer and File Explorer cannot display HEIC thumbnails without this paid codec.

How do I open HEIC files on Windows 10 for free?

The fastest free method is to convert HEIC to JPG using a browser-based converter like convertheictojpeg.com. Open the site in Chrome or Edge, drop your HEIC files, and download the JPG versions. No installation, no payment, no sign-up required. The converted JPG files open in any Windows application including Paint, Photos, and File Explorer.

Windows 10 & 11 · No Install · Free

HEIC to JPG on Windows

Windows can't open HEIC files without a paid codec — but your browser can convert them to JPG for free, right now, without installing a single thing.

No codec purchase needed Works in Chrome & Edge Windows 10 & 11 Files stay on your PC

Drop your HEIC files here

or click to browse your Windows PC

Works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Windows 10 & 11

Convert to

Quality

90%

Download as

Starting…

✓ Done — JPGs ready to open in Windows

The Windows HEIC Problem

Why Windows can't open HEIC files — and your free solution

You plug in your iPhone, copy your photos to your Windows PC, and try to open them — only to get an error message or a blank grey thumbnail in File Explorer. This is one of the most common frustrations for iPhone users on Windows, and it happens because of a licensing dispute that has nothing to do with you.

HEIC files use a compression technology called HEVC (H.265). This technology is covered by a complex web of patents held by multiple companies. Microsoft chose not to include H.265 decoding in Windows by default because of these licensing costs. Instead, they sell the HEVC Video Extensions codec on the Microsoft Store for a small fee. Until you purchase and install that codec, Windows Photo, File Explorer, and most Windows applications cannot display HEIC files at all.

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The Microsoft codec costs money and requires visiting the Microsoft Store, purchasing the extension, installing it, and restarting your PC. It also only works with newer Windows 10 and Windows 11 builds. Converting your HEIC files to JPG using this free browser tool requires none of this — and the resulting JPG files open in every Windows application immediately.

All the ways to deal with HEIC on Windows — compared

Method	Cost	Install required	Works everywhere after?
ConvertHEICtoJPEG.com	Free	No	Yes — standard JPG
Microsoft HEVC Codec	Paid (~$1)	Yes + restart	Only in Photos/Explorer
iMazing HEIC Converter	Free tier	Requires download	Yes after conversion
CopyTrans HEIC	Free for personal	Requires download	Only in Windows apps
iPhone Settings (auto-convert)	Free	No	Only via USB transfer

Step-by-Step Guide

How to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows — complete guide

Transfer your photos to Windows

Connect your iPhone via USB cable, or use iCloud Drive, AirDrop (via PC app), Google Photos, or simply email the photos to yourself. The HEIC files will appear in your Downloads or Pictures folder.

Open this page in Chrome or Edge

Open Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (both come pre-installed on modern Windows). Navigate to convertheictojpeg.com/heic-to-jpg-windows.html. Firefox also works.

Drop your HEIC files onto the converter

Open File Explorer, find your HEIC files, select them all (Ctrl+A or Ctrl+Click), and drag them onto the converter above. Or click the converter to browse for them.

Click Convert and download your JPGs

Click Convert to JPG. Your browser processes all files locally — nothing is sent to any server. Download the ZIP file and extract it to your Pictures folder. Done.

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Pro tip for Windows users: To prevent this problem in future, go to your iPhone Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. This makes your iPhone save new photos as JPG instead of HEIC, eliminating the conversion step entirely when you transfer to Windows.

HEIC on Windows — Frequently Asked Questions

File Explorer cannot generate thumbnails for HEIC files because Windows lacks the built-in decoder for the HEVC compression format. Without the decoder, Windows does not know how to render a preview. After you convert your HEIC files to JPG using this tool, they will display thumbnails normally in File Explorer.

You need a brief internet connection to load the page initially. Once the page has loaded, all the conversion code runs in your browser. Your HEIC files are processed entirely on your Windows PC without any network activity. If you lose internet after loading the page, conversions will still complete.

Two solutions: (1) On your iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats → select "Most Compatible" to make new photos save as JPG. (2) When transferring via USB cable, make sure to use the Windows Photos import wizard — iOS can automatically convert HEIC to JPG during this process. The first option is more reliable.

The Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions codec (around $1 on the Microsoft Store) lets Windows natively view HEIC thumbnails and open HEIC files in the Photos app. If you regularly work with HEIC files on your PC and want full Windows integration, it is a reasonable small purchase. However, for one-off or occasional conversion, the free browser converter is faster and requires no installation.