Windows Guide
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 for Free
Updated: March 2026 | 5 Free Methods
You transferred photos from your iPhone to your Windows 11 PC and discovered they are all .heic files that you cannot easily open, share, or edit. This is one of the most common frustrations for people who use both iPhones and Windows computers. The good news is that there are multiple free ways to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 without spending a cent on paid software. This guide covers five different methods, from the simplest no-install solution to command-line approaches for power users.
Method 1: Install HEIF Extensions + Use Photos App
The most straightforward approach is to add HEIC support directly to Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store, then use the built-in Photos app to open and re-save your images as JPG.
Step 1:
Open the Microsoft Store from your Start menu or taskbar
Step 2:
Search for "HEIF Image Extensions" and click Install (this is free from Microsoft)
Step 3:
Double-click your .heic file. It should now open in the Photos app
Step 4:
Click the three-dot menu (...) in the top bar, then select "Save as"
Step 5:
In the Save dialog, change the file type to .jpg and click Save
Best For: Users who want permanent HEIC support built into Windows. Once installed, all HEIC files will open normally, and File Explorer will show thumbnails.
Method 2: Use Our Free Online Converter (No Install)
If you do not want to install anything on your PC, our online converter is the fastest option. It works entirely in your browser, processes files locally on your device, and never uploads your photos to any server.
Step 1:
Open your web browser and go to our HEIC to JPG converter page
Step 2:
Drag and drop your .heic files onto the converter, or click to browse and select them
Step 3:
Your photos are converted instantly in your browser
Step 4:
Click Download to save the JPG files to your computer
Best For: Quick conversions without installing anything. Supports batch conversion of multiple files at once. Works on any Windows version, not just Windows 11.
Method 3: Use Windows Paint
Windows Paint received a significant update in Windows 11 and can now open HEIC files if you have the HEIF Image Extensions installed (see Method 1, Step 2). Once opened, you can save the file as JPG.
Step 1:
Make sure HEIF Image Extensions are installed from the Microsoft Store
Step 2:
Right-click your .heic file, select "Open with", then choose "Paint"
Step 3:
Click File, then "Save as", then select "JPEG picture"
Step 4:
Choose your save location and click Save
Best For: Users who prefer working with familiar built-in tools. Paint also lets you crop or resize the image before saving if needed.
Method 4: PowerShell Command Line
For power users who prefer the command line or need to convert many files at once, PowerShell combined with the Windows built-in image handling can batch convert HEIC files. This method requires the HEIF Image Extensions to be installed.
Step 1:
Open PowerShell by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Terminal" or "Windows PowerShell"
Step 2:
Navigate to the folder containing your HEIC files using the cd command, for example: cd "C:\Users\YourName\Pictures"
Step 3:
Run the following command to convert all HEIC files in the folder:
Get-ChildItem *.heic | ForEach-Object { $img = [System.Drawing.Image]::FromFile($_.FullName); $jpg = $_.FullName -replace '.heic$','.jpg'; $img.Save($jpg, [System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat]::Jpeg); $img.Dispose() }
Step 4:
Your JPG files will be created in the same folder alongside the original HEIC files
Best For: Power users who need to batch convert many HEIC files at once without installing third-party software. The command processes all files in the folder automatically.
Method 5: File Explorer Right-Click Menu
Once you have the HEIF Image Extensions installed, Windows 11 File Explorer gains some additional capabilities for handling HEIC files. While there is no direct "Convert to JPG" right-click option, you can use the "Open with" menu to quickly convert individual files.
Step 1:
Make sure HEIF Image Extensions are installed (File Explorer will then show HEIC thumbnails)
Step 2:
Right-click a .heic file in File Explorer
Step 3:
Select "Open with" and choose "Paint" or "Photos"
Step 4:
Use File → Save as → JPEG in the opened application
Best For: Quick one-off conversions when you are already browsing files in File Explorer. Also useful for previewing HEIC thumbnails before deciding which files to convert.
Method Comparison: Which Should You Use?
| Method | Install Needed | Batch Convert | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photos App | HEIF Extension | No | Easy | Single files |
| Online Converter | None | Yes | Easy | Any number of files |
| Paint | HEIF Extension | No | Easy | Edit + convert |
| PowerShell | HEIF Extension | Yes | Advanced | Bulk automation |
| File Explorer | HEIF Extension | No | Easy | Quick preview |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you run into problems, here are solutions to the most common issues Windows 11 users encounter when working with HEIC files.
Problem: "HEIF Image Extensions" won't install
Make sure you are signed into the Microsoft Store with a Microsoft account. If the Store shows errors, try running "wsreset.exe" from the Start menu to reset the Store cache. You can also try searching for "HEIF" instead of "HEIC" in the Store, as the official name is "HEIF Image Extensions."
Problem: Extension installed but HEIC files still won't open
Some HEIC files also require the HEVC Video Extensions codec. Search the Microsoft Store for "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" which is free for many devices. If that does not appear, the paid "HEVC Video Extensions" ($0.99) will work. After installing, restart your computer.
Problem: Thumbnails not showing in File Explorer
After installing the HEIF extension, File Explorer may need time to generate thumbnails. Try restarting File Explorer by opening Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), finding "Windows Explorer" in the list, and clicking Restart. Also verify that File Explorer is set to show thumbnails: open View options and make sure "Always show icons, never thumbnails" is unchecked.
Problem: Converted JPG files are much larger than expected
This is normal. HEIC files are about 50% smaller than equivalent JPG files. A 2 MB HEIC photo will typically become a 3-4 MB JPG. If file size is a concern, consider using our online converter which lets you adjust quality settings, or use PNG format for lossless conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the HEIF Image Extensions in the Microsoft Store really free?
A: Yes, the HEIF Image Extensions are completely free. There is a separate "HEVC Video Extensions" that costs $0.99, but many users do not need it for opening still HEIC photos. Try the free extension first and only purchase the HEVC codec if your files still will not open.
Q: Will converting HEIC to JPG reduce photo quality?
A: There is a minimal quality loss since both HEIC and JPG are lossy compression formats. For everyday photos, the difference is virtually unnoticeable. The resolution stays exactly the same. If you need a truly lossless conversion, convert to PNG instead.
Q: Can I prevent my iPhone from sending HEIC files to my Windows PC?
A: Yes. On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Photos, then scroll to "Transfer to Mac or PC" and select "Automatic." This tells iOS to automatically convert HEIC to JPG when transferring to a PC. Alternatively, you can change your camera format entirely by going to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and selecting "Most Compatible."
Q: Do these methods work on Windows 10 as well?
A: Yes, all five methods work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The HEIF Image Extensions are available in the Microsoft Store for both versions. Our online converter works in any web browser regardless of Windows version.
Convert HEIC to JPG instantly - no installation needed
Free HEIC to JPG Converter