How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows (Free, 4 Methods)

You transferred photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC and now they sit there with a .heic extension, refusing to open in anything. Windows Photo Viewer shows a blank screen. Paint says the format is unsupported. This happens to millions of people every week because Apple switched iPhones to HEIC format in 2017, and Windows still does not fully support it without extra steps.

Here are four free ways to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows, from fastest to most permanent.

What is HEIC and why does Windows struggle with it?

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It uses HEVC (H.265) compression, which produces files roughly half the size of a JPEG at the same visual quality, which is why Apple adopted it. The problem is that HEVC is a licensed codec. Microsoft charges $0.99 for the HEVC codec extension in the Windows Store, which is why it is not bundled by default. Without the codec, Windows cannot decode the image data inside a .heic file.

Windows 11 version 22H2 and later added limited HEIC support to the Photos app, but only for some file variants, and older Windows 10 machines remain fully unsupported.

Method 1: Browser-based converter (fastest, no install)

The quickest solution that works on every version of Windows, 7, 10, 11, without installing anything:

1. Open any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
2. Go to imageandpdf.com/image/heic-to-jpg
3. Click Select HEIC Files and choose one or multiple .heic photos
4. The converter processes them instantly in your browser
5. Click Download JPG (or Download All for batch files)

The conversion happens entirely inside your browser, your photos are never uploaded to any server. This is the most private option and works for any number of files. Batch conversion is supported: select a whole folder of HEIC files and download all JPGs in one ZIP.

Output quality:High, the converter uses the browser's native Canvas API to decode HEIC and re-encode as JPG at 92% quality, which is visually indistinguishable from the original at normal viewing distances.

Method 2: Windows 11 Photos app (built-in, limited)

If you are on Windows 11 version 22H2 or later:

1. Right-click your .heic file and choose Open with → Photos
2. If the image opens, click the three-dot menu (⋯) at the top right
3. Choose Save a Copy and select JPEG as the format
4. Choose a save location and click Save

Caveat: This only works if the Photos app successfully opens the file. Some HEIC variants (particularly HEIC files from older iPhone models or third-party apps) may still fail. If Photos shows a black screen or error, use Method 1.

Method 3: Install the free HEIF codec (permanent Windows fix)

This method installs proper HEIC support system-wide so that Windows Photo Viewer, Paint, and all other apps can open HEIC files without any conversion step:

1. Open Microsoft Store (search "Store" in the Start menu)
2. Search for "HEIF Image Extensions", it is the free Microsoft app, publisher: Microsoft Corporation
3. Click Get or Install
4. Also search for and install "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer", this is the free variant (there is a paid $0.99 version; the device manufacturer version is free for most Windows 11 systems)
5. Restart the Photos app. Your HEIC files will now open natively

After installing these extensions, you can right-click any HEIC file, choose "Open with → Paint," and save it as JPG from there. Or use File Explorer's built-in thumbnail previews, they will now work for HEIC files too.

Method 4: iCloud for Windows (if you use Apple ecosystem)

If you regularly transfer photos from iPhone to Windows, iCloud for Windows is the cleanest long-term solution:

1. Download and install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store or apple.com/icloud/icloud-for-windows
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. In iCloud settings, enable Photos and check "Download new photos and videos to my PC"
4. Under iCloud settings, tick "Download and keep originals", iCloud automatically converts HEIC to JPG when syncing to Windows

This approach converts all iPhone photos to JPG automatically as they sync to your PC. No manual conversion step, no browser tool, no codec required.

Which method is right for you?

• One-off conversion, any Windows version: Method 1 (browser tool)
• Permanent fix, Windows 11: Method 3 (HEIF codec)
• Ongoing iPhone-to-PC workflow: Method 4 (iCloud for Windows)
• Already on Windows 11 22H2+: Try Method 2 first, fall back to Method 1 if it fails

Frequently asked questions

Why can't Windows open HEIC files?

HEIC requires the HEVC codec, which is not included in Windows by default because it is a licensed technology. Installing the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store adds the necessary codec system-wide.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?

At quality 90%+, the visual difference is imperceptible at normal viewing distances. Both HEIC and JPG use lossy compression, the conversion trades HEVC compression for JPEG compression, producing a slightly larger file at the same apparent quality.

Can I convert multiple HEIC files at once?

Yes. The ImageAndPDF HEIC to JPG tool accepts multiple files and downloads them all as a ZIP. The iCloud for Windows method converts your entire photo library automatically.