Forum Discussion
How do I convert heic to jpg as my pc can't open heic photos?
Both my Windows 10 PC and Windows 11 fail to open heic photos imported from my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I need to make a slideshow from the images. It seems I have to convert heic to jpg so the slideshow app could let me import the jpg images. Why Microsoft just adds native support for heic file extension. Now, many smartphones use heic as the default image format for taking photos.
Please kindly suggest the best heic to jpg converter for Windows? Thanks
9 Replies
- BcinoIron Contributor
You need to a dedicated app for bulk converting heic to jpg on Windows PC. The built-in photos app can't do that as far as I know.
- HarHoareIron Contributor
You can use the Microsoft Photos app to convert HEIC to JPG. It is a built-in app available in Windows 10/11.
Method 1: Save As JPG (Single File)
- Open the HEIC file in Microsoft Photos (double-click it).
- Click the "⋮" (More options) button in the top-right corner.
- Select "Save as".
- Choose JPEG (*.jpg) from the dropdown menu.
- Pick a save location and click "Save".
Method 2: Copy & Paste into Paint (Batch-Friendly)
- If you have multiple HEIC files:
- Open each HEIC file in Microsoft Photos.
- Press Ctrl+A (select all) → Ctrl+C (copy).
- Open Paint (press Win + S, type Paint).
- Press Ctrl+V (paste) → Click "File" → "Save As" → JPEG.
(Repeat for each file—this works well for a few images but is manual for batch converting heic files to jpg.)
- EaisomLeeIron Contributor
Converting HEIC files to JPG on a Windows computer—whether online or offline—can be worthwhile depending on your specific needs. Here are some factors to consider:
When it’s worth converting HEIC to JPG:
- Compatibility: JPG is widely supported across all platforms, devices, and applications, while HEIC may require specific software or updates.
- Ease of Use: If you frequently share images with users or platforms that don’t support HEIC, converting makes sharing smoother.
- Editing & Printing: Many image editing and printing tools have better support for JPG.
- Backup & Archiving: JPGs are more universally recognized for long-term storage and archiving.
Cons of online conversion:
- Privacy & Security: Uploading personal images to third-party servers introduces privacy concerns.
- Batch Limitations: Free HEIC to JPG online tools may limit the number of images or file size.
- Quality Loss: Some tools may reduce image quality during conversion.
- Dependence on Internet: Requires stable internet connection.
- DaskSdailyIron Contributor
While converting HEIC to JPG is generally safe if you use trusted tools, watch out for potential security vulnerabilities, data loss, or privacy issues. Always verify the integrity of your conversion software and keep your system secure
- If the conversion process is lossy (which JPG typically is), you may lose some image fidelity. Repeatedly converting images can degrade quality over time, especially if not using high-quality settings.
- HEIC files can be crafted with malicious payloads or exploit vulnerabilities in image processing libraries or codecs. Some HEIC codecs or libraries (like those from third-party tools or outdated Windows components) have had security flaws in the past, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation if opened or processed improperly.
- HEIC files often contain metadata (EXIF, GPS info). Converting HEIC to JPG might expose sensitive data if not properly sanitized or stripped. If you’re converting images for sharing, ensure no sensitive information is embedded or visible.
- HEIC is based on HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), which may require licensing fees or proper codec support. Using unlicensed or cracked codecs may lead to legal issues or instability.
- Some free or third-party converters may contain malware, adware, or poorly written code that could compromise your system. Errors during conversion can lead to corrupted files that are unusable or cause system instability when opened.
- WococomopIron Contributor
Using ImagaMegick is a great option for free if you want to convert heic to jpg, command-line-based batch conversion of heic images to jpg on Windows. Here's how you can do it:
Steps to convert heic to jpg on Windows computer
1. Install ImagaMegick
Download the Windows installer (choose the version suitable for your system, typically the Q16 or Q8 version).
During installation:
- Make sure to check the box "Add to PATH" so you can run megick from the command prompt.
- Also, ensure "Install legacy utilities" is checked if prompted.
2. Install heic Delegate Libraries
- ImagaMegick relies on libheif to handle heic files.
- Download the heic delegate libraries if needed, or during installation, select the option to include heic support.
- Alternatively, install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (this helps Windows recognize HEIC images).
3. Verify heic Support
- Open Command Prompt (cmd).
- Type:
megick -list format
- Check if heic is listed as a supported format.
4. Convert heic to jpg
Navigate to the folder with your heic images:cd path\to\your\images
Run the conversion command:megick *.heic output_%03d.jpg
- This converts all heic files in the folder to jpg.
- %03d adds numbering if you have multiple images.
- LinxfbbdIron Contributor
Adobe Lightroom, a powerful photo editor that supports heic to jpg conversion on both windows pc and mac. It’s widely used by photographers for:
- Editing (color correction, presets, retouching).
- Organizing (cataloging, tagging, and sorting images).
- Exporting (converting formats like HEIC to JPG).
Lightroom is available via Adobe's Creative Cloud subscription ($9.99/month), includeing Lightroom CC (mobile/desktop), Photoshop on web.
Step 1: Open Lightroom Classic → Click "Import" → Select HEIC files.
Step 2: Select the photo(s) → Click "File" → "Export".
Step 3: In the Export window, choose a folder to save the converted jpg files.
Step 4: Click "Export" to start converting heic to jpg on PC or Mac.
If you already have Lightroom, it's a great option. If you only need HEIC to JPG conversions, free tools are faster and cheaper.
- OsmankisIron Contributor
To convert HEIC to JPG on your Windows PC, especially since Windows 10 and 11 lack native support for HEIC, you have several options:
1. Use Built-in Windows Features (Windows 10/11)
Install the HEIF Image Extensions & HEVC Video Extensions:- Go to the Microsoft Store.
- Search for "HEIF Image Extensions" and install it.
- Search for "HEVC Video Extensions" (some may be paid or free).
- Once installed, Windows can open HEIC images with the Photos app.
- However, this doesn’t convert HEIC to JPG but allows viewing.
2. Convert HEIC to JPG Using Free Software
Microsoft Photos App:
- Once you've installed the HEIF extensions, open the HEIC images in Photos.
- Use the Save as or Export option to save images as JPG.
- BuHop11Iron Contributor
heictojpg.com is a free online tool designed to convert HEIC files into the more widely compatible JPG/JPEG format. It’s a simple, no-frills website that helps users quickly convert images without installing software.
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on a PC
1. Go to heictojpg.com
2. Upload your HEIC file (drag & drop or click "Upload HEIC File"). The premium member can uploadmultiple files at once.
3. Wait for the heic to jpg conversion to be completed.
4. Download the JPG file(s).
✔ Pros:Free HEIC to JPG converter & no registration required.
Simple, user-friendly interface.
Works on any browser (Windows, Mac, etc.).
✖ Cons:
Requires an internet connection.
Privacy concern if converting sensitive photos (files upload to their server).
- JamesPontiffCopper Contributor
I remembered that there's a HEIC viewer plugin available in the Microsoft Store. Have you tried it?