In the era of digital photography, image formats have evolved to offer better compression and quality. One such format is HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Format), which offers superior image quality while maintaining a smaller file size than traditional formats like JPEG.
However, opening HEIC files on Windows can be challenging, as the operating system doesn’t natively support this format.
That’s why people wonder how to open HEIC files on Windows. Well, there are some methods through which you can open HEIC files on Windows. You are in the right place if you also want to open the Windows HEIC file.
This article will tell you the HEIC file: how to open it on Windows.
What Is HEIC File?
Before we delve into the techniques of accessing HEIC files on Windows, let’s grasp what a HEIC file entails. HEIC, standing for High-Efficiency Image Format, is a file format formulated by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) as part of their development of the same-named format.
HEIC files employ advanced compression algorithms to reduce their size while preserving the quality of the images they contain. This particular format has gained significant popularity, particularly among individuals who use Apple devices, given that it is the default image format on iOS devices.
So, if you have some of the latest models of iPhones, you are probably taking photos in HEIC format. It was possible to disable the HEIC format on an iPhone;
however, since its introduction in iOS 11, HEIC has become the default photo storage format for Apple devices. As a result, you may have been using HEIC without even realizing it.
However, Windows lacks native support for opening HEIC files, which can challenge Windows users and cause inconvenience.
Why Can’t You Open A HEIC File?
Due to variations in image codecs between Apple and Microsoft, Windows does not have inherent support for the HEIC file format. Consequently, opening a HEIC file on a Windows computer may result in an error or an unrecognized file.
To overcome this constraint, alternative methods must be utilized to open and view HEIC files on a Windows operating system.
How To Open HEIC File On Windows Using Photos App?
Now that we have discussed HEIC Files let’s move on to how to open HEIC files on Windows.
- Locate the HEIC file you wish to open in File Explorer.
- Right-click on the file.
- Select “Open with” from the menu and choose “Photos.”
- After opening the file in the Photos app, you may encounter a pop-up message stating, “The HEIF Image Extension is required to display this file.”
- Click on the “Download and install it now” button within the pop-up message to proceed to the Microsoft Store and acquire the necessary plugin. If prompted with a message asking, “Did you mean to switch applications?” click on “Yes.”
- You will be directed to the Microsoft Store, specifically to the HEIF Image Extensions app page, an official Microsoft extension.
- Click on the “Get” button to download and install the plugin. Once the installation is complete, you can close the Microsoft Store app.
- Return to the location of your HEIC image in File Explorer.
- Double-click on the HEIC file. It should now open generally in the Photos app.
How To Convert HEIC Files To JPEG?
The above method is OK, but other methods exist to open HEIC files on Windows. One such method includes converting HEIC files to JPEG. The size of a JPEG is comparatively more than that of a HEIC file. To cover HEIC files to JPEG, you have two options. One is using dedicated software to convert HEIC files to JPEG. The second method uses online tools to convert HEIC Files to JPEG. Here are both the methods discussed.
1. Convert HEIC Files To JPEG Using Software:
The above method of opening HEIC files on Windows using the Photos app is suitable when you have one or two HEIC files to open. However, if you have multiple HEIC files, it becomes difficult to open every file manually.
We recommend using a free app called “iMazing HEIC Converter,” available in the Microsoft Store, to convert several files. This lightweight app is incredibly user-friendly. Once you have installed and opened the iMazing HEIC Converter app, the process is straightforward.
- After installing the app, open it.
- Simply drag and drop the files you wish to convert into the app’s window.
- Before the conversion, you can select the output format, either JPEG or PNG. Additionally, you can choose whether to preserve the EXIF data and adjust the desired image quality.
- Once satisfied with your settings, click the “Convert” button.
- Select the destination folder to save the converted files, then click “OK.” The app will generate copies of the images with the same file names, but they will be saved as JPEG files instead of HEIC.
This method provides a more efficient solution for converting larger batches of HEIC files, making it easier to manage and work with multiple images simultaneously.
2. Convert HEIC Files To JPEG Using Online Tools:
We have many online tools that you can use to convert HEIC files to JPG or JPEG. But you have to keep in mind that you use authentic tools. Some websites are fake and don’t provide any outcome. One good converter that you can find online is HEICtoJPG. This is a simple tool to convert multiple HEIC files to JPEG. Drag the files into the portal and download the converted files.
Conclusion:
Here are some methods to open HEIC files on Windows. The process is pretty much simple and doesn’t require any technical expertise. You can also convert the HEIC files to JPG to open them on Windows. So, use these methods to open HEIC files on Windows. In case of any doubt, do let us know in the comment section below.
