How to Open HEIC, HEIF, and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for Free 1

How to Open HEIC, HEIF, and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for Free

Ever since Apple adopted HEIF as the new file format for images and videos, many tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, have started working on it to maintain compatibility across their platforms. It is claimed that a HEIF image can store the same information in half the memory space as a JPEG image. iPhones already take advantage of the new file format, but if you’re using a Windows PC to import HEIF photos, you won’t be able to access those files directly. In this post, I have shared some easy ways to open HEIC, HEIF and HEVC files in Windows 10 and without much hassle. Now having said that, let’s go ahead and learn the steps in detail.

Enable HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files Support in Windows 10

Before we begin, let me clear up some key points. HEIC and HEIF are image file formats and are almost similar. Technically there are some differences, but for general consumers it’s almost the same thing, so don’t worry if you come across a slightly different file extension. On the other hand, HEVC is a video compression standard and not a file format. Therefore, you will mostly find images with HEIC or HEIF file extensions and videos with MKV format but compressed with the HEVC standard. As a side note, all these file formats were developed by the MPEG Group, not Apple, as is popular misconception.

Now we go back to Windows 10. If you open a HEIF image in Windows 10, it will ask you to install an additional codec and take you to the Microsoft Store. It will ask you to pay $0.99 to install the additional codec and I don’t know why.

Again, Microsoft also offers another extension that does the same thing, and it’s surprisingly free. In this post, I will show you how to install that particular codec so that you can play HEIC, HEIF or HEVC files without paying a dime. That being said, let’s get started.

  • Steps to Enable HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Support in Windows 10

1. First of all, open this link and Install “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” From the Microsoft Store. You can also search the Microsoft Store manually, but be sure to include “Device Manufacturer” in your search query.

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Enable HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files Support in Windows 10

2. After that open this link and Make sure HEIF Image Extensions are installed. After the April 2018 Update, Microsoft started installing this extension by default. However, if you’re still on older builds, this link should help.

Enable Support

3. Now go back to your media folder and you will be able to play HEIC, HEIF and HEVC files without any problems. this files will also start to display thumbnails properly.

In case 4, still facing any problemOpen Windows Settings and then open the “Applications” menu. Now scroll down and search for “HEVC Video Extension..” and “HEIF Image Extension”. Click on both apps and open “Advanced Options”.

Enable HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files Support in Windows 10 4

5. Now scroll down and Click the “Reset” button. This much. Now, HEIF media files should display properly.

Enable Support

Open HEIF, HEIC and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for Free

This was our guide on how to enable support for HEIF and related file formats in Windows 10. Although Microsoft started enabling support by default in April last year, it may have run into licensing issues with the MPEG suite. Hence the asking price for the additional codec. Fortunately, there is a workaround and you can get it for free. Anyway, that’s it for us. If you found the article helpful, comment below and let us know.