Did you transfer photos from your iPhone to your PC only to see blank white file icons with no thumbnail previews? Double-clicking them brings up an “unsupported format” error, followed by a Microsoft Store prompt asking you to purchase a $0.99 (1,200 KRW) codec. Is there a way to open HEIC photos directly on Windows without paying?
At a Glance
- Install the free “HEIF Image Extensions” and the manufacturer codec from the Microsoft Store to open them instantly in the default Photos app.
- Install the “CopyTrans HEIC” utility to enable Explorer thumbnail previews and batch convert up to 100 images to JPG at once.
- Set iPhone [Settings] ➔ [Photos] ➔ [Transfer to Mac or PC] to “Automatic” so photos automatically convert to compatible JPGs during transfer.
- With the codec installed, you can open HEIC photos in the default Windows Paint app and save them as JPEG files.
Why Don’t HEIC Files Open on Windows?
HEIC is a high-efficiency image format introduced by Apple in 2017 starting with iOS 11. It matches the quality of JPEG while cutting file sizes by roughly 50%, which is why it serves as the default photo format on iPhones. Think of it like a vacuum storage bag that shrinks file volume in half.
The problem is that Windows 10 and Windows 11 do not include the codec required to unpack this compression out of the box. Without the codec, File Explorer cannot generate thumbnail previews, and the default Photos app shows an error message stating the file cannot be opened.
How to Install Official Microsoft Codecs Without Paying $0.99 (1,200 KRW)
Searching the Microsoft Store brings up the paid $0.99 (1,200 KRW) codec first. However, you can open HEIC files in the default Photos app for free by combining official free extensions.
First, install the free “HEIF Image Extensions” (Product ID: 9PMMSR1CGPWG) from the Microsoft Store. Pairing this with the “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” (Product ID: 9N4WGH0Z6VHQ) link activates both the default photo viewer and Explorer thumbnail previews.
| Item | Standard Store Search | Official Free Link |
|---|---|---|
| HEIF Image Extensions | Free | Free (9PMMSR1CGPWG) |
| HEVC Video Extensions | $0.99 (1,200 KRW) | Free (9N4WGH0Z6VHQ) |
| Photo Conversion | Default App Support | Open in Paint and Save as JPG |
Some Windows editions or specific device builds may show an unsupported message when opening the manufacturer codec link. However, once HEIF Image Extensions is installed, you can simply open the HEIC file in the default Windows Paint app and save it as a JPEG.
View Thumbnails and Batch Convert up to 100 Images with One Tool
If installing codecs feels tedious, the free utility “CopyTrans HEIC for Windows” is the easiest alternative. Free for personal use, it instantly enables photo previews directly inside Windows Explorer upon installation.
Select your photos, right-click, and you can batch convert up to 100 images into JPG format without losing shooting dates or metadata. It also lets you insert HEIC photos directly into Microsoft Office documents such as Word or PowerPoint. Note that HEIC files created by some third-party cameras, such as Canon, may not be compatible.
Change iPhone Transfer Settings in 10 Seconds to Prevent Future Issues
If you regularly move photos to a PC, adjusting a single setting on your iPhone is the most permanent fix. The iPhone includes a built-in feature that automatically converts photos to JPG whenever they are sent to a computer.
Go to iPhone [Settings] ➔ [Photos], scroll to the bottom, and set [Transfer to Mac or PC] to “Automatic”. Photos remain stored as space-saving HEIC files on your iPhone, but when copied to a PC via cable, they convert into standard JPEG files automatically. If you prefer to capture images in standard JPEG from the start, go to [Settings] ➔ [Camera] ➔ [Formats] and choose “Most Compatible”.
Switch the transfer option to “Automatic” in your iPhone [Settings] ➔ [Photos] now, and all future photos moved to your computer will open right away without manual conversion.
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