[5 Proven Methods] How to Open HEIC File on Windows 11/10/7

Thing to Know About HEIC Files

What are HEIC Files?

HEIC files are high-quality image files and the standard photo format used on Apple devices. HEIC stands for High-Efficiency Image Container, and photos taken on an iPhone or iPad are saved with the .HEIC extension by default.

Thanks to its advanced compression technology, the HEIC format delivers excellent image quality while using significantly less storage space, often even less than traditional JPEG files.

What are the HEIC Files used for?

HEIC files are used for a wide range of purposes thanks to their high image quality and efficient compression. Common uses include:

• High-resolution photography: HEIC allows you to capture professional-quality photos in high resolution while saving valuable storage space on your device.
• Capturing motion: With features like Live Photos and Burst mode, a single HEIC file can store multiple images of a moving subject.
• Creating animations: HEIC files can also be used to create animations or GIF-like effects from a sequence of images.

How to Open HEIC File on Windows 11/10/7?

Since HEIC files aren’t always supported by Windows by default, opening them can be confusing at first. Below, we’ll walk you through several easy ways to open HEIC files on Windows.

Method 1: Open HEIC File with Photos App

In many cases, you don’t need extra software at all, the Windows Photos app can open HEIC files with just a few clicks.

• Press Windows + E to open File Explorer and locate the HEIC file you want to view.
• Right-click on the file and click "Open with Photos".

Photos app is the recommended HEIC file viewer for Windows 7/10/11. If this app doesn't work for your files, continue to try other methods.

Method 2: Install HEIF Image Extensions to Open HEIC Files

When the Photos app alone cannot open HEIC files on Windows 11/10/7, installing the HEIF Image Extensions for Windows is a reliable way to add native support on Windows.

• Press the “Download and install it now” link to head to the Microsoft Store. The download is entirely free for the HEIF Image Extensions. Install the HEIF plugin.
• Once installed, restart the Photos app if it’s open. Double-click the HEIC file to open it with the Photos app.
Notes

This extension enables Windows apps, such as the Photos app, to read HEIC files, but it doesn’t open them on its own. In other words, the HEIF Image Extensions add the ability to recognize and decode HEIC files, yet you still need a compatible app to actually view the images.

Method 3: Open HEIC Files by Converting It to JPEG

If you don’t want to install additional extensions, you can open HEIC files by converting them to JPEG. This method lets you view and use your images on any device or app that supports JPEG.

Here’s how to open HEIC file in Windows 11 for free by converting it to JPEG. This method works the same for Windows 7 and 10.

• Open File Explorer and locate the HEIC file you want to convert.
• Right-click on it and choose "Open with Paint".
• In Paint, choose “File & Save As” and the format you want your HEIC file to convert into, such as "JPEG".
• In the "Save As" window, choose the location where you wish to save the file, rename it, and press "Save".

Method 4: Open HEIC Files in Other Applications

Besides the built-in Photos app, you can also open HEIC files using other compatible applications. Many third-party programs and image viewers support HEIC, giving you more flexibility to view, edit, or manage your photos. These HEIC viewers for Windows 7/10/11 include:

• Adobe Lightroom
• Apowersoft Photo Viewer
• CopyTrans HEIC
• File Viewer Plus
• Dropbox

Method 5: Copy HEIC File as JPEG File

If you’ve managed to open your HEIC files on Windows using the methods above, it’s a good idea to save a copy as a JPEG file. Doing so ensures your photos remain compatible with any device or app in the future. Here’s how to open HEIC files on Windows by copying them as JPEGs:

• Open File Explorer and choose to open the HEIC file with the “Photos” app.

• Once the file is open, move to the "File > Save As" option.

• In the "Save" box, choose the file format as "JPG" from the drop-down menu and press "Save".

How to Recover Damaged/Deleted HEIC Files?

If your HEIC files are corrupted, you might not be able to open them. In some cases, HEIC files can also be lost due to accidental deletion, virus attacks, power outages, or interrupted file transfers. Fortunately, all hope isn’t lost, even if the files seem permanently gone.

With Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery, you can recover deleted, damaged, or corrupted HEIC files from internal drives, external drives, SD cards, USB drives, and digital cameras in just four easy steps. Other key features of 4DDiG include:

• Recovers various data types: Supports not only HEIC images but also 2,000+ other types, including JPEG, PNG, videos, documents, and more.
• Restore files in different state: Able to recover lost, hidden, corrupted, damaged, formatted and deleted photos from camera, USB, SD card... with 99.8% success rate.
• Preview before recovery: Allows you to preview recoverable HEIC files before restoring them to ensure you recover exactly what you need.
• Fast and deep scan options: Offers both quick scanning for recently deleted files and deep scanning for more thorough recovery of corrupted files.
• User-friendly interface: Simple three-step process makes it easy for beginners to recover lost HEIC files without technical expertise.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on both Windows and Mac systems.

Here’s how you can recover deleted or damaged HEIC files using 4DDiG in just four simple steps:

• Download and install 4DDiG on your computer. Launch the program to select the device where you store the HEIC files, and 4DDiG will start scanning for them.
• The software will perform a deep scan automatically. You can use the Filters and Search options in the left pane to narrow down the results and locate your HEIC files more easily.
• Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable HEIC files and select the ones you want to restore, click "Recover".
• When prompted, choose a safe location on your computer (not the original drive) to save the files, and then click “Save Now” to complete the recovery.

FAQs About HEIC Files

Can you open HEIC files on Windows?

Yes. You can open HEIC files on Windows, but you may need to enable support first by installing the HEIF Image Extensions or using a compatible app that supports HEIC.

How to open HEIC file on Windows 11/10/7?

You can install the HEIF Image Extensions to open HEIC files directly in the built-in Photos app. Another option is to convert HEIC files to JPEG for full compatibility across all Windows versions. You can also view HEIC files using third-party image viewers that support the format. Lastly, you can open HEIC files by copying them as JPEG files.

Why can't I open HEIC files on Windows 11/10/7?

You can’t open HEIC files on Windows 11 because the system doesn’t fully support them by default. Windows needs the HEIF Image Extensions to read HEIC files. If the extension isn’t installed, apps like Photos won’t open them.

Conclusion

Opening HEIC files on Windows can be tricky since the format is native to Apple devices and not fully supported by Windows by default. Fortunately, with the methods covered above, you can easily learn how to open HEIC files on Windows 7 and later. If your HEIC files are lost due to deletion or corruption, 4DDiG File Recovery provides a simple way to recover deleted or damaged HEIC files on both Windows and Mac.