Viewing HEIC, HEVC & HEIF Files On Windows

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Viewing HEIC, HEVC & HEIF Files On Windows

File sharing across operating systems is natural and often involves native file formats. Apple devices can create HEIF, HEIC & HEVC files that can be shared with Microsoft Windows users. It is possible to convert these files to formats Windows can natively view before or after sharing.

If however the files are not converted, what is required for Windows 10 & 11 apps to view these files? Microsoft offers a free plugin (for now) from the Microsoft Store for HEIF files that allows the images to be viewed in any image application. However, no such free plugin exists for HEIC & HEVC files. One must either purchase a plugin or resort to viewing the files in a single application.

What is Apple's recommended method of natively handling these files on Windows without incurring cost or being cumbersome?

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Feb 18, 2023 8:34 AM

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Answer 1

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PaulDurham Author

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Mar 15, 2023 2:20 PM in response to léonie

Thanks Léonie, but I'd like a solution to all one to work with the files natively on Windows. After much research I created the below solution for my users (although not ideal):

If you received .heif, .heic or .heiv files and are not able to view them, you can ask the source to provide them in more common file formats. For example, an iPhone user can share the image files again and this time select to share them as .jpg which you will be able to view easily.

To view .heif files, install Microsoft's HEIF Image Extensions app from the Microsoft Store HERE.

To view .hevc and .mov files, install VLC Media Player available under "Applications" in the Software Center on your Desktop.

To view .heic files, install CopyTrans HEIC for Windows HERE, and ensure you also install HEIF Image Extensions above.

Once installed, you will be able to view the mentioned video types in VLC Media Player and view the above image types in any image viewer on your Windows PC. If Windows Photos or Paint still won't display HEIF images, install and use Irfanview 64-bit HERE.

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Answer 2

léonie

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Mar 14, 2023 3:33 AM in response to PaulDurham

You could use the online converter at ‎heictojpg.com to convert the HEIC files to JPEGs.

Or change the Settings on the iPhone or iPad, so HEIC files will automatically be converted to JPEGs, when you download them to a computer, see: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple Support

You wiil find the Settings in the Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mec or PC.

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Answer 3

PaulDurham Author

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Feb 18, 2023 11:16 AM in response to Yer_Man

Yes, as I mentioned in my original post, the files can be converted before or after transfer. I'd like to view the files in their native format in Windows.

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Answer 4

PaulDurham Author

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Mar 18, 2023 2:17 PM in response to Keith Barkley

... said every technology company to the others.

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

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Feb 18, 2023 11:26 AM in response to PaulDurham

Perhaps you need to post that query on a Windows forum. This forum is about the Aperture application. As this app was discontinued almost eight years ago, and it had zero cross platform ability, I think you're unlikely to find Windows users here.

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Answer 6

Yer_Man

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Feb 18, 2023 11:10 AM in response to PaulDurham

You can convert these files easily to other formats. Image files can be exported as jpeg (or other things) from Preview. Ditto with QuickTime Player for video.

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Answer 7

Mar 16, 2023 5:44 AM in response to PaulDurham

"What is Apple's recommended method of natively handling these files on Windows"

Is to tell Microsoft to get with the program!

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Viewing HEIC, HEVC & HEIF Files On Windows

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