Does a built-in heic converter feature that comes with Windows 11?

For some reason Microsoft are resisting building support for HEIC files into their OS. Try running IT for a company that deals with images sent in by the public. Each user needs a login to the Microsoft Store and a way to pay the $1 cost. When they leave the organisation we do what again? How can you put us in this situation?

If you've got a whole folder full of HEIC files, good luck! The Photos and Paint apps are great for converting single files, but when it comes to batch conversions, they don’t cut it. You’ll be stuck opening each file one by one, which can be a total time-sucker. The built-in tools mainly let you convert to JPEG, which is fine for most uses, but if you need PNG or another format? Tough luck. You won’t find options for that using these apps.

If you are looking for a built-in HEIC converter. The converters in Photos and Paint might not give you the highest quality output. Sometimes, when you convert images, you might notice a difference in quality or file size, which can be frustrating if you're working on a project where fidelity is key. Before you can even open HEIC files in Windows 11, you’ll need to download the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. This is just one more step, and if you're not tech-savvy, it can feel like an extra hurdle.

Hello,

I too found that the native format of HEIC for images was somewhat annoying and especially so for people that have Apple devices and are not tech savvy.  I went into my settings on my Apple devices and switched the default image save for the camera from the HEIC to most compatible and that permanently solved my annoyance.

Let’s be real: the HEIF Image Extensions are primarily about viewing files, not HEIC converter tool for Windows 11. You can open HEIC images fine, but if you’re hoping to convert them to other formats like JPEG or PNG directly from this codec, you’re out of luck. You’ll need additional software for any conversion, so it's kind of a tease if you're expecting an all-in-one solution.

While they let you see HEIC files, you're still somewhat limited in terms of what you can actually do with those files. You can't batch convert or tweak settings for resolution or quality. If you’re like me and often need to work with multiple files at once, having to do everything manually gets old fast.

In my experience, even with the HEIF extensions installed, not all software plays nicely with HEIC files. Some older or less popular image editing programs might still struggle with these formats. If you often switch between different editing tools, it might lead to some aggro trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

From my own experience, if you need to convert multiple HEIC files, consider the efficiency and reliability of batch processing options. Not all heic converter supports batch conversion of HEIC images, and using inefficient tools can be time-consuming. Look for reputable software that offers robust batch conversion features and allows you to customize output settings like file format, quality, and destination folder. Always download software from trusted sources to protect your system from malware, and read user reviews or professional recommendations to choose tools that have a proven track record in handling HEIC conversions effectively.

Another important aspect is the preservation of metadata and EXIF data during conversion. HEIC images often contain rich metadata, including camera settings, geolocation information, and timestamps. Some conversion utilities might strip this data, which can be problematic if you rely on metadata for organizing or editing your photos later. To retain this information, opt for heic converter software that explicitly supports metadata preservation, or check the settings to ensure that EXIF data is included in the converted files.

In addition, Color profiles and compatibility issues can also arise when converting from HEIC to other formats. HEIC supports advanced color spaces and higher bit depths, which may not be fully compatible with older formats like JPEG/PNG. This can lead to color shifts or a reduced dynamic range in the converted images. To mitigate these issues, use conversion tools that handle color management effectively, and consider converting to formats that support wide color gamuts if maintaining color accuracy is essential for your use case.

While you can convert to JPEG using the Photos app, that’s about where it stops. What if you want to convert to PNG, BMP, or a different format? Sorry, you’re stuck with just JPEG. If you need flexibility, this method is pretty underwhelming. When you save images, especially when converting, quality can sometimes take a hit. With Photos, it’s not always clear how much compression is happening. You might end up with a JPEG that looks worse than the original HEIC. In my experience trying various methods, some dedicated software gives you more control over quality settings, ensuring your images look sharp.

The Photos app is kind of basic when it comes to conversion features. If you want to tweak settings like resolution or DPI (dots per inch), you won’t find those options here. Some dedicated HEIC converter tool provide advanced features that let you customize the output exactly how you like it. When you convert files, some tools preserve metadata like camera info, date taken, and location. The Photos app might not keep all that info intact. If you’re a stickler for details, that’s a bit of a bummer.

Converting HEIC images on a Windows PC can help improve compatibility with various applications and devices that may not natively support the HEIC format. However, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth and effective conversion process.

Windows 11 offers a basic heic image converter through apps like Photos and Paint. These are suitable for converting individual images but may lack advanced features.

When converting HEIC images on a Windows PC, it's crucial to consider the potential impact on image quality and file size. The HEIC format is known for its efficient compression, allowing for high-quality images at smaller file sizes compared to formats like JPEG.

When you convert HEIC files to JPEG or PNG, the resulting images may be larger and could suffer from a slight loss in quality due to the different compression algorithms used. To minimize quality degradation, choose a conversion tool that allows you to adjust settings like resolution and compression level.

Paint is great if you’ve got one or two HEIC files to convert, but if you’re dealing with a bunch of images, it's a real pain. You would have to open each file separately and go through the saving process over and over again. Unlike dedicated converters, Paint doesn’t allow batch processing. You might be stuck converting them one-by-one, which can be super time-consuming if you’ve got a whole folder full of HEIC images.

When saving your files in Paint, the compression might not be ideal. This could lead to a loss of quality that you wouldn’t experience with a better HEIC converter tool. Paint only lets you save as JPEG or PNG. If you need other formats, like BMP or GIF, you’re out of luck. 

I suggesting use the HEIF Image Extensions to view and convert heic images in Windows 11 and Windows 10 PC.

The HEIF Image Extensions is a codec package from Microsoft that enables Windows 11 (and earlier versions like Windows 10) to view and work with HEIF files, which include HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) images, a commonly used format for photos on iPhones and other devices.

1. Open the Microsoft Store from your Windows Start Menu.
2. Search for HEIF Image Extensions.
3. Click Get to install the extension. It’s free, but you'll need to be signed in with a Microsoft account.
4. Once installed, your Windows system will recognize HEIC images and work as heic converter in Windows PC, and you’ll be able to open them in apps like Photos or Paint.

Use Cases:
1. View HEIC Photos: If you've transferred photos from an iPhone to your Windows PC, they are likely stored in the HEIC format. Installing the HEIF Image Extensions allows you to view those photos without needing to convert them to a more common format like JPEG.

2. Edit HEIC Images: With this extension, you can edit HEIC images using apps like Microsoft Paint, Photos, or third-party photo editors that support HEIF.

3. Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG: If you need to convert HEIC images to formats like JPEG or PNG, you can use tools like the Photos app, Paint, or third-party converters.

Limitations:
The HEIF Image Extensions are specifically for image files. For video files in HEVC/HEVC-based formats (like .hevc or .h265 videos), you’ll need the HEVC Video Extensions (which may require a paid license).

Batch Conversion: If you need to batch convert HEIC images to JPEG or other formats, the HEIF Image Extensions don’t provide batch processing features, so you'll need a third-party heic converter for that.