Summary: Unable to open HEIC images and HEVC videos on Windows PC due to device incompatibility? This post guides you through the best 4 ways to open HEIC and HEVC formats on Windows PC. Also, know about the best file repair software for corrupt HEIC and HEVC files.
Apple’s switch to high efficiency HEIC (image) and HEVC (video) formats, with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, aims to free storage space by reducing the file size on devices. However, HEIC and HEVC have their limitations. Like JPG and H.264 formats, they are not widely compatible with a number of operating systems and software. When you transfer photos and videos from iPhone, you won’t be able to open or edit the HEIC and HEVC files on Windows PC.
So how to open HEIC and HEVC files on Windows?
Read this post to learn 4 best ways to open HEIC and HEVC files on Windows 10 computer.
The methods are applicable for other Windows versions as well.
HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format), also referred as HEIC are stored with .heic extension. HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) also called H.265 videos can have .hevc, .mov, and .mp4 file extension.
They both are multimedia container formats that improve file compression. This means you will get high quality photos and videos even at a smaller file size
By default, iPhone 7 and above shoot in HEIC and HEVC format after iOS 11 upgrade.
Getting HEIC and HEVC format extensions can enable Apple’s high efficiency formats support on Windows 10.
The extension helps Windows to read and write the high efficiency photo and video file formats in absence of hardware support for HEIC/ HEVC files.
Note: Your HEVC or H.265 4k Ultra HD video playback experience will vary with your Windows computer’s CPU and graphics card performance.
Once you install the extensions, HEIC and HEVC files can directly open on HEIC files in Windows just by clicking on them. You can view the photos and videos with default Photos app, Windows Media Player or other HEIC and H.265 compatible applications on your PC.
In case HEVC or HEIF image extensions are not working, reset the extension settings.
Once you reset the extensions, try to open the HEIC image files and HEVC videos again using any Windows compatible Player. The problem should be resolved.
There are both free and paid image converter tools available online that convert HEIF image formats to JPEG or PNG. Use them to access HEIC images in JPEG format on your Windows 10 computer.
Online HEVC converters can convert H.265 videos to H.264 MP4, MOV, AVI and other formats.
Make sure you are using a secure online converter program such as Zamzar, Convertio or Image2go.
Windows users can also download desktop converters like iMazing HEIC Converter. Unlike most of online converter tools, the desktop HEIC converters can batch convert multiple HEIC photos at a time to JPG or PNG.
Tip: To open HEIC in Photoshop or any other image editor, you can first convert the file to a supporting format before editing.
You can download Windows plugin like CopyTrans HEIC to open HEIC image files on PC.
Although, the plugin won’t let you edit HEIC in Photoshop or Lightroom on Windows, but it will let you add HEIC format images into Microsoft documents like MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
You can also convert HEIC file format to JPG by a simple right-click on the image file with CopyTrans.
Use this method when you have to transfer photos and videos from iPhone to Windows computer. Change the ‘Transfer to Mac or PC’ settings on iPhone before importing photos and videos to PC.
On your iPhone, follow the below steps:
This will automatically convert HEIF and HEVC to JPEG and H.264 respectively, whenever you transfer iPhone photos and videos to PC.
Note: This will work only for photos that were captured after enabling Automatic, under settings.
Sometimes during file transfer or conversion, multimedia files may get corrupt. The case can also be, in spite of having support to play them on Windows, your HEIC photos are not opening, show error or are greyed-out. This clearly indicates file corruption due to virus infection etc. Use a professional HEIC repair tool — Stellar Repair for Photo to fix corrupt image files from iPhone or other device.
Stellar Repair for Video software to repair corrupt H.265 videos on Windows 10, in case HEVC videos are unplayable, distorted or broken on PC.
Extensions and plugins can easily open HEVC and HEIF files on Windows 10 computer. Conversion to a different format is helpful, especially when you also want to open HEIC files in Photoshop on Windows 10. Another good way to open HEIC and HEVC files on Windows is to convert them on iPhone before importing, by changing file transfer settings on the iOS device.
Nishat Paiker is an expert technical writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. She has deep knowledge about data recovery and loves to explore new technology and DIY tools. Nishat has keen interest in photography. You will often find her giving photography tips and hacks.
