How do I convert HEIC files to JPEGs in Windows?

A few approaches, depending on whether you want to install anything:

Built-in (needs the HEVC codec): once the HEVC Video Extensions are installed, Windows can decode HEIC, and then the easiest conversion is to open the file in Paint and use Save as → JPEG. The Photos app can also export it in newer builds. The snag is the codec isn't free by default, which trips a lot of people up.

No codec, nothing to install: a browser-based converter sidesteps the whole codec issue because it decodes HEIC in JavaScript. I run a free one — https://openmyheic.com/ — that converts HEIC to JPG (and PNG, PDF, etc.) right in the browser. Everything stays local, so it also works fine on locked-down work machines where you can't install software or Store extensions. It handles multiple files at once, which helps if you've got a folder full of iPhone photos.

Prevent it going forward: if these are your own iPhone photos, switch the phone to Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible" and it'll shoot JPG from then on.

Disclosure: I'm the maker of OpenMyHEIC, which I mentioned above.

If the photos are still on your iPhone or in iCloud, the simplest method without using a third-party converter is to export/download them again as JPEG.

On iCloud.com, select the photos, click Download, choose More Download Options, then select Most Compatible. That should download the photos as JPEG instead of HEIC.

For future photos, on the iPhone go to Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. This will make new photos save as JPEG rather than HEIC.

Developer Option — Bulk Conversion Using PowerShell

If you need to convert multiple .heic files (for example, an export from an iPhone), you can do this using PowerShell and Windows’ built‑in imaging libraries.

Update the folder paths as required:

Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Runtime.WindowsRuntime
$null = [Windows.Storage.StorageFile, Windows.Storage, ContentType = WindowsRuntime]
$null = [Windows.Graphics.Imaging.BitmapDecoder, Windows.Graphics.Imaging, ContentType = WindowsRuntime]
$null = [Windows.Graphics.Imaging.BitmapEncoder, Windows.Graphics.Imaging, ContentType = WindowsRuntime]

$sourceFolder = "C:\Path\To\HEIC"
$destinationFolder = "C:\Path\To\Output"

Get-ChildItem $sourceFolder -Filter *.heic | ForEach-Object {

    $inputPath = $_.FullName
    $outputPath = Join-Path $destinationFolder ($_.BaseName + ".jpg")
}

HEIC is the default photo format used by newer iPhones because it offers better compression than JPEG while keeping high quality. Windows 10 doesn’t always handle it natively, so conversion is often needed.

For a large batch (like ~1000 photos), here are a few practical options:

Install HEIC support on Windows

Get HEIF Image Extensions (and HEVC support if needed) from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, you can open HEIC files in the Photos app and use “Save as” → JPEG. This is simple, but not ideal for large batches.

Use desktop batch converters

Tools like CopyTrans HEIC for Windows or similar utilities allow you to select multiple HEIC files and convert them to JPG in one go, which is much faster and more suitable for your case.

Export as JPEG from Apple devices (prevent future issues)

On your iPhone: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible

Or when transferring via USB, enable automatic conversion so files arrive as JPG.

In terms of quality, JPEG uses lossy compression, so some detail loss is unavoidable. To minimize it, choose a high quality setting (90–100) during conversion. If you notice any clarity loss after batch conversion, you can optionally run the images through an enhancement tool like HitPaw FotorPea to restore details.

Unfortunately none of these helped. When i tried to open the HEIC into Photos, my Photos app was asking me to download a plugin to open the image. I tried saving the HEIC to JPG and open it. The Photos wouldn't open and would error that this format is not supported. So I had no luck. The paint also was no use. I have a Windows 11. I'm not sure all Windows 11 are equipped with HEIC to JPG converters. you might need another plugin to convert.

One workaround I found which is kludgy but it still worked. I opened the HEIC file in clipchamp, this is built-in Windows Video Editor software. The HEIC file opened fine in the clipchamp. From here you export it as a GIF. The Windows 11 will open GIF with no problems. Just make sure you are exporting the video file from clipchamp, you be careful and follow the prompts correctly since it tries to export it to cloud and it has many options.. Kinda round about way to get there, but i somehow got it. Thought of sharing it with the community.

No matter which HEIC to JPG converter software you use to work for you, but convert HEIC to JPG using the built-in Paint app in Windows 10 has some disadvantages, including:

1. Loss of Image Quality and Compression Artifacts:

Although both formats are compressed, converting from HEIC (which often uses advanced compression techniques) to JPG can result in some loss of image quality, especially if the JPG is saved with a lower quality setting.

2. Reduced Compression Efficiency:

HEIC typically provides better compression, resulting in smaller file sizes for similar quality. Converting to JPG may produce larger files, consuming more storage space.

3. Limited Metadata Preservation:

The conversion process might strip or lose some image metadata (like EXIF data, color profiles, or other embedded information), which can be important for photography workflows.

4. Lack of Advanced Editing Features:

Using Paint for conversion is basic and may not offer options like adjusting compression quality or batch processing, making it less suitable for professional or high-volume workflows.

Stop your iPhone from taking .heic in the first place. On your iPhone go to Settings/Camera/Formats. Choose "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency".

It says below the option: "To reduce file size, capture photos and videos in the High Efficiency HEIF/HEVC format. Most Compatible will always use JPEG/H.264. Cinematic video, 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps, and HDR video require High Efficiency."

HEIC is a modern image format used by Apple iPhone, but it's not always compatible with Windows os. If you want to batch convert .heic files to the more universal .jpg format using PowerShell, it's possible. But you'll need Windows 10/11 with HEIF and HEVC extensions installed and access to the Windows.Graphics.Imaging API via PowerShell.

Below is a PowerShell script using Windows Runtime APIs to convert HEIC to JPG in Windows 11/10.

Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Runtime.WindowsRuntime
$null = [Windows.Storage.StorageFile, Windows.Storage, ContentType = WindowsRuntime]

# Source and destination folders
$sourceFolder = "C:\Path\To\HEIC"
$destinationFolder = "C:\Path\To\Output"

# Load all .heic files
$files = Get-ChildItem -Path $sourceFolder -Filter *.heic

foreach ($file in $files) {
    $inputPath = Join-Path $sourceFolder $file.Name
    $outputPath = Join-Path $destinationFolder ($file.BaseName + ".jpg")
    $softwareBitmap = $decoder.GetSoftwareBitmapAsync().GetAwaiter().GetResult()

    $outputFile = [Windows.Storage.StorageFile]::CreateStreamedFileAsync(
        [System.IO.Path]::GetFileName($outputPath),
        { param($streamOut)
            $outStream = $streamOut.AsStreamForWrite()
            $encoder = [Windows.Graphics.Imaging.BitmapEncoder]::CreateAsync(
                [Windows.Graphics.Imaging.BitmapEncoder]::JpegEncoderId,
                $streamOut
            ).GetAwaiter().GetResult()
            
        },
        $null
    ).GetAwaiter().GetResult()

    Write-Host "Converted: $inputPath -> $outputPath"
}

⚠️ Notes:

✅ HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions must be installed from Microsoft Store.

✅ Tested fine on Windows 10 and Windows 1111.

⚠️ This method works only on systems where the Windows Runtime API is available.

❌ Does not work on older versions of Windows or systems without HEIC support. In this case, you need a third-party HEIC to JPEG converter app instead.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 is pretty straightforward, and honestly, there's not much danger if you do it the right way. From my own experience (and what I’ve seen), as long as you use a reliable converter—like built-in Windows options or reputable third-party tools—you're good to go. Converting HEIC to JPG won't cause you to lose other data on your computer. It's just changing the format of the image file. Think of it like renaming a file; you're not deleting the content or affecting anything else on your hard drive.

A few things to keep in mind when convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 10:

* Backup your original HEIC files just in case something weird happens during conversion.

* Avoid shady or unknown converters because they might mess with your files or even pose security risks.

* Check the quality after conversion to make sure it looks good and hasn't lost details.

All in all, just stick to trusted tools, keep backups, and you'll be fine. No big danger there!