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Brondam's avatar
Brondam
Copper Contributor
Jun 02, 2026

Best HEIC Viewer - view heic files on Windows 11?

Hi all, A lot of photos from newer iPhones are saved in HEIC format instead of JPG or PNG. The image quality is good and the file size is smaller, but HEIC files are not always easy to view heic fil...
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GordonAshford's avatar
GordonAshford
Iron Contributor
Jun 02, 2026

Microsoft Photos with HEIF Image Extensions is the most basic way to view HEIC files on Windows 11. Since Microsoft Photos is already included with Windows, this method does not require installing a full third-party image viewer. It is a good choice for users who only need to open and preview iPhone HEIC photos on a Windows PC without any heic viewer software.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Store on Windows 11 and search for HEIF Image Extensions. 

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pmmsr1cgpwg?hl=en-US&gl=US

Step 2: Install it, then right-click a HEIC photo and choose Open with > Photos.

Step 3: If the image still does not open, restart the computer and try again. Some HEIC files may also require the HEVC Video Extensions, especially photos saved with certain iPhone camera settings.

In summary, Microsoft Photos plus HEIF Image Extensions is simple, safe, and beginner-friendly. It works well for basic HEIC viewing on Windows 11, but it is not the best option for batch conversion, advanced editing, or managing hundreds of iPhone photos.