How do I convert HEIC files to JPEGs in Windows?

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.