How to open an HEIC file in Windows 11

If you've encountered an HEIC file on your Windows 11 computer and can't open it, you're not alone. This photo format has become the standard for iPhones and many modern smartphones, but unfortunately, Windows doesn't always understand it “out of the box.”

The good news is that this problem is fairly easy to solve. You don't need to be a computer genius to make these files work. There are several proven methods, from installing an official add-on from Microsoft to using convenient photo viewing programs.

In this article, we will look at the simplest and most effective methods to help you quickly open any HEIC files. You can choose the option that seems most convenient to you and never encounter this annoying problem again.

The most reasonable solution now is to consider updating. The easiest way is to switch to Windows 10 or 11. This will ensure your security, support for new software, and compatibility with modern hardware. If you are not ready to change Windows, consider alternatives, such as various Linux distributions, which can be an excellent free and secure replacement for many tasks.

You can also open HEIC image files using standard Windows 11 applications, such as the Photos app. However, the problem is that your Windows PC will need HEIF and HEVC codec files to do this.

Most computers have HEIF codec files, but they usually lack the HEVC codec support needed to open HEIC files. So, let's take a look at how to install both codecs so that you can open HEIC files natively on your Windows 11 PC.

Run the application you found.

If nothing helps, the problem may be more serious and related to hardware failure. But even in this case, you now know where to start and can avoid unnecessary expenses by ruling out all the simple solutions yourself.

If you are unable to open HEIC image files on your Windows PC, you need to download the HEIF codec. Fortunately, this is as simple as downloading any app from the Microsoft Store.

1. To download the HEIC codec, follow the link in microsoft Store.

Or, open the Microsoft Store and enter the following in the search bar “HEIF”select from the search results “Extensions for HEIF images” in the search suggestions menu, or press Enter on your keyboard.

Now click the “Get” button to install the codec on your Windows device.

The app will be downloaded and then automatically installed on your Windows 11 computer. However, to open HEIC images, you also need to download the HEVC codec to your Windows PC.

HEIC is the default format for photos saved on modern iPhones. In Windows 11, these files don't open as easily as regular JPGs, but there's an easy fix: just install the free “HEIF Image Extensions” extension from the Microsoft Store, and then HEIC photos will show up normally in the standard photo viewer, just like any other image.

Add HEVC codec support in Windows 11

If you want to open an HEVC video file, which is usually contained in a HEIC container, you will need to download a codec for it, just like for HEIF files.

Note: even if you don't plan to open HEVC video files, you will need both of these codecs (HIEF and HEVC) installed on your Windows computer to open HEIC image files.

1. Open the Microsoft Store from the menu “Start” on a Windows PC.

1. Click the Search in the Microsoft Store window header, enter the following in the search bar: “HEVC Image Extensions”

1. Then, find and click the tile in the search results “HEVC Video Extensions”.

1. Now click the “Get” / ‘Buy’, to get the codec for HEVC video.

Note: in some cases, depending on your location and account type, you may need to purchase the app before you can download it.

The app will be downloaded and then automatically installed on your Windows PC. Once the installation is complete, you will be able to open HEIC/HEVC files in the app “Photos” Windows.

Use a third-party application to open HEIC files

If you don't want to spend money in the Microsoft Store just to view images, there is an excellent alternative available for Windows users. CopyTrans is one such third-party application that allows you to view HEIC images.

There are many third-party applications available online for opening HEIC files on a Windows computer. However, the advantage of CopyTrans is that it opens files in Windows Photo Viewer (the classic viewer), creating the feeling of built-in support.

Use CopyTrans to open HEIC images

1. Go to the developer's websitecopytrans.net. Then, on the website, click the “Download” button (as shown in the screenshot).

1. Run the CopyTrans installation file by double-clicking it in the folder “Downloads”.

Note: In the window that opens, click the button “Install anyway” button and confirm the UAC prompt. The CopyTrans installation wizard will then start.

1. Now click the “Next” in the installation window.

1. Check the box next to “I am installing CopyTrans HEIC for home use” (I am installing CopyTrans HEIC for home use), then click the “Next” at the bottom of the window.

1. In the next window, click the button “Install”.

Wait for Windows to install CopyTrans on your computer. Once the installation is complete, you may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

After restarting your Windows 11 PC, right-click on the desired .HEIC image file and select “Open with” → “Choose another app”.

Now in the window, select “Windows Photo Viewer” windows Starter is the simplest version of the OS and has the lowest price. The Starter version has a large number of limitations: “Always use this app to open .heic files” and click the “OK”.

Now you can open HEIC image files in Windows Photo Viewer. The next time you want to open a HEIC image file on your computer, just double-click the file and it will open in the classic viewer, since you have set it as the default application for opening HEIC images.

As you can see, opening HEIC files in Windows 11 is a solvable task. The main thing is to choose the method that is most convenient for you. The built-in extension from Microsoft is fast and free, and converting to the familiar JPG format ensures that you can open the photo on any device.

Don't be afraid to experiment. If you just need to view a couple of photos, Photos or installing a plugin from the Microsoft Store will do. If you plan to work with this format regularly, you may want to consider third-party converter programs.

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