How to open HEIC photos in Windows 10

Let’s say you took some great photos at the birthday party with your new iPhone or iPad and you want to transfer them to your Windows 10 PC. You connect the device to the computer, transfer the files, but Windows won’t open them.

This is because iOS devices take photos in HEIC format (and sometimes HEIF format). Here’s what you need to do to get them working on your PC.

What are .HEIC files?

First, let’s delve a little deeper into the nature of this file format. HEIC is essentially an image/video container. It increases the image quality of the files and at the same time improves their compression. Works with PNV, JPEG and GIF photo formats. For videos, the High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC) has similar effects.

Why can’t I use the HEIC file format in Windows 10?

Since the October 2018 update, Windows 10 supports HEIC. So you might be wondering why your operating system can’t open them? After all, Windows 10 is Microsoft’s latest operating system and it has enabled automatic updates.

Well, this update is supposed to be automatic. Most users have received it for their HEIC codecs (image). When it comes to videos, everyone needs to download the HEVC extension.

That said, sometimes Windows updates get confused and delayed. Other times, they end up cancelled. What you need to do is take matters into your own hands.

The first thing you should look for is updates in the Microsoft Store. In October 2020, Microsoft released an update to fix security issues within the Windows codec library.

1. Open Microsoft Store and click Library in the lower left corner.
2. Now click Get updates or scroll through the list and update your HEIF file extension if one is available.
3. Then try opening the file again with Photos. If this doesn’t work, read on.

Enabling HEIC support

As mentioned, Windows should be able to open HEIC and HEIF files. However, if you can’t, the Photos app should offer a link to the Microsoft Store, where you can download the necessary extensions.

If the Photos app doesn’t do this, you’ll need to download HEIC extensions manually.

1. Click the Start button and type “Microsoft Store“and hit Get into.
2. Then navigate to the Look for located in the upper right corner of the window, and type “HEIF.”
3. Click on the HEIF Image Extensions result and select Get. The extensions will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Enabling HEVC support

As mentioned, HEVC extensions will not be automatically installed on your Windows computer. This is because HEVC extensions, unlike HEIC/HEIF extensions, are not free. Microsoft currently charges $0.99 for them.

To download HEVC Video Extensions, you will need to sign in to your Microsoft account.

1. Go to the Microsoft Store app and enter “HEVC” in the search bar.
2. Then select the first result entry, click $0.99. A Microsoft sign-in screen will appear, sign in.
3. Now you need to add a payment method. Click Begin! Add a payment method or just hit Next. You have three options here. Using your credit/debit card, using a PayPal account or through a mobile phone. The first method will allow you to enter your credit card information. The second method will ask for your PayPal login credentials.
4. The cell phone option works with Sprint and Verizon, so if you don’t have either of those two, you won’t be able to use the third option. If you have found your provider, enter your phone number, click Nextand follow the instructions.

After that, you will be able to download the HEVC extensions.

What if I have the codecs installed?

The guide above should help you use the HEIC and HEVC features. However, sometimes things can go wrong in Windows. If this is the case, you will need to reset the extensions. If this doesn’t work, you will have to reinstall them.

Reset them

1. To reset extensions, go to Beginguy “Applications” and then click Apps and features.
2. Then scroll down until you find HEIF Image Extensions either HEVC Video Extensions. There is a chance that your computer has HEVC extensions installed even if you have not purchased them. This entry will appear as HEVC video extensions from device manufacturer.
3. Select any of the two applications/functions. and then go to Advanced Options.
4. Select Restartand then click Restart again to confirm. After that, your HEIC/HEVC extensions should work.

Uninstalling HEIF/HEVC extensions

1. To do this, navigate to the Applications window again, find the HEIC/HEVC extension entry and click on it.
2. Then select Uninstall and confirm. That will uninstall the app from your computer.

Now you need to install it again. Follow the steps above related to downloading and installing the extensions.

What if nothing worked?

One of these solutions should have fixed your HEIC/HEVC problem. However, the problem may be a little deeper. There are ways to fix this manually. Still, they involve accessing specific registry/BIOS settings that are quite delicate.

The best way to get here would be to contact Microsoft support.

1. To do this, go to https://support.microsoft.com/write “HEIC,” “HEIF,” either “HEVC,” and take a look at the available threads. You should be able to find a solution here.
2. Alternatively, you can open the Get Help app by going to Begin and writing “Get help.“This will open a chat with a virtual assistant; if none of the solutions the bot offers help, you will have the opportunity to talk to a live person.

HEIC/HEVC Extensions

Many users have reported problems with HEIC files. Hopefully Microsoft will address this soon. Meanwhile, follow this guide to resolve this photo/video extension issue.

Has any solution provided here worked? Which? Did you find the Get Help app useful? See the discussion below for possible solutions or add your tips or questions.