HEIC image extension not working on Windows 11, are there any heic extension alternatives?

It is common to see HEIC Image Extension not working as earlier versions of Windows 11 (e.g. 21H2 or lower) does not support opening HEIC images properly due to not integrating the latest codec support. Microsoft has gradually optimized compatibility with HEIC format in subsequent updates, especially version 22H2 after 2022, which fixes several codec-related system vulnerabilities. If users do not install the system update in time, HEIC Image Extensions may fail due to missing dependencies, which may be manifested as “This format is not supported” or only thumbnails are displayed in the Photos app.

Some third-party image tools can bypass the system's default decoder and call their own libraries to parse the HEIC format directly, which may lead to failure if the version of the tool is too old or does not integrate HEVC support.

In addition, some software may modify the file association settings to force HEIC to be bound to incompatible programs. For example, users mistakenly associate HEIC by default to a lightweight viewer that only supports JPEG, which triggers a compatibility error. 

Fix 1: Update your system to the latest version:

Go to Settings > Windows Update, click “Check for Updates” and install all optional updates (especially Cumulative Updates and . “NET Framework updates).

Confirm that your system version is 22H2 or higher: Press Win + R, type winver, and check the version number.

Fix 2: Reset the default image viewer:

Right-click HEIC file > Open as > Select other apps, check “Photos” and click “Always open with this app”.

Or via Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Select Default Apps by File Type, find .heic and associate it to “Photos”.

Fix 3: Uninstall conflicting third-party software:

Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and remove old incompatible versions of photo tools.

Install alternative software that supports HEIC (e.g. newer versions of XcnView MP or Adobe Photoshop 2021+).

If the above tricks didn't work, then try with heic image extension alternatives instead.

I have also encountered this problem. The HEIC image extension on working on Windows 11  😤. After trying various methods, I finally found two more reliable HEIC image extension alternatives, sharing them with you!

Method 1: Use IrfansView to open HEIC directly (recommended)
This software is much better than the extension that comes with Windows! The steps are very simple:

1. Download IrfasnView (it is available on the official website, completely free).
2. Install the HEIC plug-in (IrfsanView comes with a plug-in package, you can directly view HEIC after installing it).
3. Directly open HEIC pictures, no need to toss Windows HEIC image extension!

✅ Advantages: Directly open HEIC, no need for additional format conversion, fast speed, support batch operation.
⚠ Disadvantages: Need to install software, but much more reliable than Microsoft's extension.

Method 2: Convert HEIC → JPG online (no installation required)
If you only use HEIC occasionally and are too lazy to install software, you can try online conversion:

1. Open heictsojpg.com or cloudsconvert.com directly.
2. Upload HEIC files and download JPG in seconds. Compatible with all Windows computers.

✅ Advantages: No need to install software, can be used at any time.
⚠ Disadvantages: Batch conversion is more troublesome, and files need to be uploaded (not suitable for privacy-sensitive people).

If you need to open HEIC frequently, IrfansView is recommended. If you only use it occasionally, online conversion is the simplest heic image extension alternatives! Give it a try, I hope it can help you! 😆

In fact, there is no need to find the HEIC image extension alternatives, if the HEIC image extension not working on Windows 11/10, you can try the following method to fix it. 

Microsoft has pre-built two HEVC decoding programs in Windows:

Paid version: HEVC Video Extensions, which can be searched directly in the Store for general users;
Free version: Hidden “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturers”, reserved for pre-installed systems from OEM hardware manufacturers, but can be invoked by ordinary users through a special portal.

HEIC files inherently rely on HEVC (H.265) decoders, and Microsoft's HEIF Image Extensions plug-in must work with HEVC decoders. If the system is updated to associate a paid version of the decoder by default (or if the decoder file is corrupted), it will cause the HEIF extension to fail. This method restores the underlying support by bypassing the paywall and deploying the free decoder directly.

Steps
Locate the free decoder:

1. Press Win+S to search for Microsoft Store and open it.
2. Type “HEVC video extensions from device manufacturers” in the store search bar (must be full name), or visit the link directly:

ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq  

    3. Click “Get” to install (if it says “already have”, uninstall the original HEVC extension and reinstall).
    4. Force associated system decoding:

    5. Right click on any HEIC file → Properties → “Open Method” and click “Change” on the right side.
Select the “Photo” app and check “Always use this app to open .heic files” → OK.

   6. Open File Explorer and go to Path:

C:\Windows\System32  

Search for heif.dll and hevcdecoder.dll and check that the file modification date is the time since the decoder was installed (make sure the files are updated).

HEIC is a high-efficiency image format used by default on Apple devices such as the iPhone. Since the format is based on the HEVC/H.265 coding standard, Windows systems rely on specific codecs to decode and display HEIC files. If you can't open HEIC images in Windows 11 with HEIC Image Extensions, the primary reason is that the following two key components are not properly installed or configured:

Issue 1. HEVC decoder not installed

After installing HEIC Image Extensions, the system prompts “HEVC support is required” or the file still cannot be opened.

Reason: HEVC Video Extensions is the basic dependency of HEIC decoding, but Microsoft does not include it in Windows by default for patent reasons.

Solution: Install the free version of HEVC decoder. On the page that opens, click on the “Get from device manufacturer” button (Internet connection required). Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.

ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq  

Issue 2. Wrong installation order

HEIC Image Extensions is installed first, and HEVC decoder is not installed, resulting in functionality failure.

Solution:

• Uninstall HEIC Image Extensions.
• Install HEVC Video Extensions (free or paid version) first.
• Reinstall HEIC Image Extensions.

These are two effective solutions to fix heic image extension not working on Windows 11 or Windows 10. You can also use some heic image extension alternative to convert .heic to .jpeg as JPEG is recognized by Windows OS natively.

Hey there! It sounds like you’re in a bit of a bind with those HEIC images on your Windows 11 machine. No worries, you have a few HEIC image extension alternatives to work with that should help you open those files without converting them every time. Here’s a rundown of some options:

1. CopyTrans HEIC for Windows
This is a fantastic free tool that not only lets you open HEIC files directly in Windows but also allows you to convert them to JPEG images in File Explorer if you need to. Here’s how to use it:

• Download CopyTrans HEIC from the official website.
• Install it on your PC. The installation is straightforward.
• After installation, you should be able to open HEIC files directly by double-clicking them in Windows.

2. IrfenView
To get the best HEIC image extension alternatives. IrfenView is an excellent image viewer that supports a wide range of file formats, including HEIC, with the proper plugins installed. You can use it to view your HEIC files easily.

• Download IrfenView from the official site.
• Make sure to also download the IrfenView Plugins (available on the same page) to ensure HEIC support.
• Install both, and you should be able to open HEIC files without a problem.