HEIC files will not open
on Windows 11. Here's the fix.

Why Windows cannot open it

HEIC (properly, HEIF) is the format an iPhone uses to store photos by default. It keeps the same quality in a smaller file than JPEG — but to display it, Windows needs a separate component called a codec.

That codec is not included in Windows 11 or Windows 10by default. The reason is licensing, not technology. Microsoft gives away the "HEIF Image Extensions" package, but actually decoding the image also needs "HEVC Video Extensions", which is sold separately and is often not free.

So there is nothing wrong with your PC, and you have not misconfigured anything.It was simply never included.

Three ways to fix it, and how they differ

• Option 1: convert to JPGTurn the photos you already have into JPG. Costs nothing, and they will open for anyone you send them to
• Option 2: install the codecLets Windows open HEIC directly, but it may cost money and only helps on that one PC
• Option 3: change the setting on the iPhoneFuture photos are saved as JPG. Does nothing for photos already taken

Option 1 if you need it open now, plus option 3 if you receive these photos regularly. That combination is what most people end up doing.

3 STEPS

Option 1: converting to JPG

1. 01

   Choose your HEIC photos

   Open the HEIC converter and pick the photos that would not open. You can select several at once.

2. 02

   Choose JPG as the output

   JPG is already selected by default. Choose PNG only if you need to keep transparency.

3. 03

   Convert and save

   The converted photos are saved to your PC. Photos, Word and everything else will open them.

Option 3: setting your iPhone to save JPG

If you want future photos saved as JPG, you can change this on the iPhone itself.

1. 01

   Open Settings

   Open the Settings app from the home screen.

2. 02

   Camera → Formats

   Select "Camera", then open "Formats".

3. 03

   Choose Most Compatible

   Switch from "High Efficiency" to "Most Compatible". Photos you take from now on will be JPG.

Files get larger, but if you regularly exchange photos with Windows or older software, this saves a lot of bother. Note that even after changing this,photos already taken stay as HEIC, so those still need converting.

How you transfer them matters too

When you import photos to Windows over a USB cable, the iPhone setting under Settings → Photos → "Transfer to Mac or PC" decides what arrives. Set to "Automatic", photos may be converted to JPG during transfer; set to "Keep Originals", they arrive as HEIC. If something will not open, check this setting.

Photos sent through messaging apps or email are often converted to JPG by the sending app. If some photos open and others do not, the difference is usually in how they reached you.