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OliviaRodriguez's avatar
OliviaRodriguez
Iron Contributor
May 16, 2025

Look for the best free heic to jpg converter for windows 10 pc?

It is now 2025 and Microsoft still does not add support for HEIC images in Windows 10 (the latest 22H2). Really disappointed as a long time Windows users. Unfortunately, I can't open, view or edit t...
GabrielMartinez's avatar
GabrielMartinez
Iron Contributor
May 16, 2025

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is an image format introduced by Apple in 2017 as part of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. It uses ​​HEIF​​ as its container and ​​HEVC (H.265)​​ compression for storing images.

​​Why Doesn't Windows 10 Natively Support HEIC?​​

Licensing & Patents:​​ HEIC relies on ​​HEVC (H.265)​​, which is patented and requires licensing fees. Microsoft did not include native HEIC support in Windows 10 to avoid paying these fees.

Additional Software Needed:​​ Windows 10 can open HEIC files ​​only if​​ you install the ​​HEIF Image Extensions​​ and ​​HEVC Video Extensions​​ from the Microsoft Store (some versions require payment). Alternatively, you need a dedicate heic to jpg converter. in order to open .heic files in Windows 10.

How to Open HEIC Files in Windows 10?​

Download ​​"HEIF Image Extensions"​​ (free) and ​​"HEVC Video Extensions"​​ (may cost $0.99) from the Microsoft Store. After installation, File Explorer and Photos app will support HEIC.

On iPhone, go to ​​Settings > Camera > Formats​​ and select ​​"Most Compatible"​​ to save photos as JPEG instead of HEIC. This will convert heic to jpg on iPhone automatically.

HEIC is a superior format for storage efficiency and features, but Windows 10 lacks native support due to licensing and Apple's ecosystem dominance. Users can enable HEIC support via Microsoft Store add-ons or third-party heic to jpg converters.

 

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