This post shows students and new users steps to open HEIC files format in Windows 11 taken by Apple iPhone and iPad devices. If you have Apple iPhone or iPad device and you take a photo with it, HEIF format will be used to save the images by default, with file extension ending in HEIC.
If you want to open these files in Windows 11, you be unsuccessful, that’s because Windows does not support it. In order to view images ending in HEIC extensions taken by Apple devices, you will have to download and install apps that are capable of handling these images either from the Microsoft apps store or online from third party websites.
There’s a simply trick to get Windows to help you download the apps to open these files, and we’re going to show you below.
The new Windows 11, when released generally to everyone, will come with many new features and enhancements that will work great for some while adding some learning challenges for others. Some things and settings have changed so much that folks will have to learn new ways to work with and manage Windows 11.
Even as new as Windows 11 is, HEIC files are not supported out of the box.
To get started with reading HEIC files in Windows 11, follow the steps below:
How to read HEIC files in Windows 11
By default, these files are not supported in Windows 11. There’s a way to view theses file, but you’ll have to download and install apps to do that.
With File Explorer opened and you’re at the location of the files, simply right-click the image, then on the context menu, select Open with Photos as highlighted below.
When you do that, the Photos app will let you know that “The HEVC Extension is required to display this file.” Click the “Download and install it now” link to get the app from the Microsoft store.
The Microsoft Store will open the a suitable extension to use to view the image. Click the Install button to install the app.
After the app is installed, you’ll then be able to open HIEC images using the Photos app in Windows 11.
If you do not see the particular app above or you want a free app, then simply search the app store for “HEIC image viewer“. There will be plenty of free apps to use to view HEIC file format.
How to view HEIC image format in Windows 11
Another way to view images stored in HEIC format is to use a third party app not in the app store. Simply go to the link below and download a copy in Windows 11.
Open HEIC files on Windows (copytrans.net)
After installing, right-click the image you want to view, then on the context menu, select Open with ==> Choose another app.
Then select Windows Photo Viewer and check the box to Always use this app to open .heic files.
Click OK and you’re done.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to open HEIC image format in Windows 11. If you find any error above, please use the comment form below to report.
