You can install the HEIC codec from the Microsoft Store:
By following the steps in this guide, you will never be locked out of your own photos again and will be able to manage, view, and share your HEIC images with ease on Windows 11.
Once installed, your default Photos app will instantly recognize, preview, and open HEIC images just like JPEGs. Top Third-Party HEIC Viewers for Windows 11 heic image viewer windows 11
HEIC can store multiple images (like Live Photos) and editing history in a single file.
: Search for and install this first. It is typically free and allows Windows to recognize the format. You can install the HEIC codec from the
If you have a Creative Cloud subscription, Photoshop natively opens HEIC (as of 2024). Use to convert 500 HEICs to JPEGs instantly.
Skip Microsoft extensions entirely by using software with built-in HEIC support. : Search for and install this first
Below is a draft for a social media or blog post regarding this topic.
Disclaimer: Do not use this for private or sensitive photos.
You double-click the image, and instead of seeing a beautiful photograph, you are greeted by an error message: "This photo cannot be displayed because it uses the HEIC format which Windows 11 does not support natively."
: A powerful, cross-platform media browser that supports over 500 formats, including HEIC, natively without needing extra codecs.