Forum Discussion
Garciab
Jan 02, 2025Iron Contributor
Can't convert heif images to jpg on my Windows 11 PC
I have a large batch of HEIF images taken from my digital cameras. As I’m looking to convert these images into the more universally compatible JPG format for easier sharing and usage, I would greatly...
F-Houghton
Jan 02, 2025Iron Contributor
Using methods like Microsoft Paint or online converters for bulk converting HEIF files to JPG can be tempting, but they come with some pretty significant drawbacks. Here’s the lowdown based on my experience and general knowledge on the topic.
Disadvantages of Using Microsoft Paint for Bulk Conversion:
- Manual Process: Paint is great for single conversions, but if you've got a whole bunch of HEIF files to convert, it can become super tedious. You’ll be stuck opening each file, saving it, and repeating the process over and over. Who wants to spend hours clicking “Save As” anyway?
- No Batch Processing: Unlike dedicated converters, Paint won’t let you select multiple files and convert them all at once. This is a major bummer if you’re trying to get things done quickly.
- Quality Control: While saving as JPG in Paint is straightforward, you have limited control over the output settings, like quality or compression. If you care about preserving image details, this can be a real drawback.
- Compatibility Issues: Sometimes Paint doesn’t handle HEIF files perfectly. You might face weird issues like image distortion or color changes after saving. That's not something you want to discover after burning the midnight oil!
Disadvantages of Online Converters:
- Privacy Concerns: When you convert HEIF files to JPG via online converters, you’re putting your images on someone else's server. If those files are sensitive or private, that could be a major issue. Would you want your family vacation photos floating around on the internet?
- File Size Limits: Many online conversion tools restrict the size and number of files you can upload at once. If you’ve got a ton of high-res HEIF files, you might hit those limits, and that’s just frustrating.
- Internet Dependency: You need a stable internet connection to upload and download the files. If your connection is spotty (or worse, if the server goes down), you're left hanging, which can be a total letdown when you're in the zone.
- Performance Slowness: Depending on the site and the number of files, it can take forever to upload, convert, and then download everything. I've had the experience where I sat there staring at the loading bar, waiting for what felt like ages!