How to Open HEIC Files on Windows 10 & 11 (Without Paying Microsoft)
Updated: January 2026
It is one of the most annoying moments for PC users: You transfer photos from your iPhone to your Windows computer, try to open them, and get a black screen.
Even worse, when you try to fix it, the Windows Photos app often asks you to visit the Microsoft Store and pay $0.99 for a plugin called “HEIF Image Extensions.”
You shouldn’t have to pay to look at your own photos. In this guide, we will show you the fastest, free way to view HEIC files on Windows 10 and 11, and how to stop this problem from happening in the future.
Why Can’t Windows Open My Photos?
The problem is a “language barrier.” Apple uses a modern file format called HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) because it saves space on your phone. Windows, however, still prefers the classic JPG format.
Unlike MacOS, Windows does not come with the “translator” (codec) needed to read HEIC files installed by default. That is why you see a generic icon instead of your photo thumbnail.
Method 1: The Instant Free Fix (Recommended)
If you just need to view or use your photos right now—for example, to upload them to a website, email them, or print them—the easiest solution is to convert them to the universal JPG format.
Use the Browser Converter
You can use our free tool at the top of this site to fix your files instantly.
- Cost: Free ($0.00).
- Privacy: 100% Private (Runs on your PC, not a cloud server).
- Speed: Converts instantly without installing software.
Once converted to JPG, your photos will open in any app on Windows, including Paint, Photoshop, and the standard Photos viewer.
Method 2: The “Official” Microsoft Way
If you absolutely must keep your files in HEIC format, you can install the official codec from Microsoft.
- Open the Microsoft Store app on your PC.
- Search for “HEIF Image Extensions”.
- Click “Buy” (It usually costs $0.99).
- Once installed, restart your computer.
Note: Even if you pay for this extension, you will still run into issues when trying to upload HEIC files to websites like the DMV, IRS, or WordPress, which generally do not accept HEIC.
Method 3: Stop iPhone from Saving as HEIC
If you are tired of dealing with this conversion process, you can tell your iPhone to stop using HEIC altogether. This will make your photos take up more space on your phone, but they will be compatible with Windows instantly.
Steps to change iPhone settings:
- Go to Settings > Camera.
- Tap on Formats.
- Select Most Compatible (instead of High Efficiency).
Your future photos will now be saved as JPGs. For all your old photos that are still HEIC, you can use our free converter tool.
Common Questions
Is there a free HEIC extension for Windows?
There used to be, but Microsoft largely removed it in favor of the paid version. Most “free” software downloads that claim to fix this are bloated with ads. The safest free method is to convert the file to JPG using a browser-based tool like ours.
Why does the IRS website reject my photo?
Government websites are often built on older systems that strictly require JPG or PDF files. Even if you can view the HEIC on your computer, the website upload form will reject it. Always convert to JPG before uploading to official portals.