How to Open HEIC Files on Windows
Windows doesn't open HEIC photos by default, which is why double-clicking one often shows a blank icon. Here are the three ways to view or convert them.
Option 1: Install HEIF Image Extensions (Microsoft Store)
Microsoft offers a free HEIF Image Extensions pack in the Microsoft Store. Install it, and Windows Photos will open HEIC files natively. Note: some variants also need the HEVC Video Extensions — a small one-time fee in some regions.
Option 2: Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG in Your Browser
No software, no store, no account. Use the free converter above: drop your HEIC files in, pick JPG or PNG, and download the results. Everything runs locally in your browser, so even sensitive photos stay private.
Option 3: Use a Third-Party Viewer
Desktop apps like IrfanView or XnView can open HEIC once the proper codecs are present. They're handy for bulk browsing but require installation.
Which Should You Choose?
Need to view one or two photos occasionally? The HEIF extension is fine. Need to share, print, or process many files? Converting to JPG/PNG with the tool above is faster and works everywhere.
Step-by-Step: Install the HEIF Extension
Open the Microsoft Store, search for HEIF Image Extensions, and click Get. On some PCs you'll also need HEVC Video Extensions (free in many regions, a small one-time fee in others). Once installed, double-clicking a HEIC in File Explorer opens it in Photos. This is the lightest option if you only view occasionally.
Troubleshooting: HEIC Still Won't Open
If Photos shows a blank icon after installing, you're likely missing the HEVC codec — add it from the Store. Also check the file truly ends in .heic; a renamed file that's actually a ZIP won't open. When all else fails, the browser converter above reads HEIC directly and needs no system codecs at all.
Converting a Whole Folder at Once
Need dozens of photos as JPG? Select them all in the converter above and convert in one batch; download each file or grab a ZIP. This beats opening them one-by-one in an image viewer and is the fastest path when you're migrating a camera roll to a Windows PC.
Why In-Browser Conversion Is the Safe Choice
Cloud converters upload your photos to a server you don't control. The tool above runs entirely on your PC through WebAssembly — nothing is sent anywhere. For personal, work, or sensitive images, that local-only path is the difference between converted and shared with a stranger.
Whether you install a codec or convert in your browser, opening HEIC on Windows takes minutes — and converting gives you files that work on any device.