How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 (3 Free Methods)

On Windows 11, the fastest way to convert HEIC to JPG is installing the free HEIF Image Extensions codec from the Microsoft Store, then opening the HEIC file in the Photos app and using File → Save a copy to export as JPG. No third-party software needed. For batch conversion or if you'd rather not install anything, use a free online converter like [PixelTools](/convert/heic-to-jpg) — it runs entirely in your browser, no upload required.

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11. Apple chose it because HEIC files are roughly half the size of equivalent JPGs at the same quality — great for storage on devices and iCloud. The problem is that Windows doesn't support HEIC out of the box. Unlike macOS, which handles HEIC natively, Windows requires a codec extension to read the format. Without it, you'll see a generic file icon and an error when you try to open the photo. This is why HEIC files transferred from iPhone to Windows PC often seem “broken” — they're not corrupted, the OS just can't decode them.

Microsoft offers a free HEIF Image Extensions codec in the Microsoft Store that adds native HEIC support to Windows 11. Once installed, you can open, view, and export HEIC files without any additional software.

1. Open the Microsoft Store (search for it in the Start menu) 2. Search for “HEIF Image Extensions” and install the free version 3. Once installed, double-click any HEIC file — it will open in the Photos app 4. In Photos, click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top right 5. Select Save a copy and choose JPEG as the file type 6. Pick a save location and click Save

This is a one-time setup. After installation, Windows handles HEIC like any standard image format — you can preview thumbnails in File Explorer, open them in Photos, and edit them in Paint or any other image app.

If you have multiple HEIC files to convert, Microsoft PowerToys includes an Image Resizer tool that can batch-convert formats including HEIC to JPG. PowerToys is a free utility from Microsoft designed for power users.

1. Download and install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub 2. Open PowerToys Settings → enable Image Resizer 3. In File Explorer, select one or more HEIC files 4. Right-click → Resize pictures 5. In the dialog, click Advanced options and set the output format to JPEG 6. Click Resize — converted files appear in the same folder

PowerToys requires the HEIF Image Extensions codec (Method 1) to be installed first. Once both are installed, batch conversion takes a few seconds regardless of file count.

If you don't want to install anything, an online converter is the easiest option. PixelTools converts HEIC to JPG entirely in your browser — the file is processed locally on your device and never sent to a server.

1. Go to [pixeltools.io/convert/heic-to-jpg](/convert/heic-to-jpg) 2. Drop your HEIC file onto the page (or click to browse) 3. The converted JPG downloads automatically

This works on any Windows version — not just Windows 11 — and on any browser. It's also the best option if you're on a work computer where you can't install software, or if you only need to convert files occasionally.

If you regularly transfer photos from iPhone to Windows, you can avoid the HEIC compatibility issue entirely by changing your iPhone's camera format setting.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone 2. Go to Camera → Formats 3. Select Most Compatible instead of “High Efficiency”

With “Most Compatible” selected, your iPhone captures photos as JPG from that point forward. Existing HEIC photos are not affected — you'd need to convert those manually. Alternatively, if you keep the “High Efficiency” setting for storage reasons, enable Automatic transfer in Settings → Camera → Transfer to Mac or PC. When this is on, iOS automatically converts HEIC to JPG when you plug your iPhone into a Windows PC via USB.

Yes, but the difference is typically invisible. HEIC and JPG both use lossy compression, but HEIC is more efficient — it achieves the same visual quality at a smaller file size. When you convert to JPG at high quality settings (90–100%), the result looks identical to the original for normal viewing. The only real cost is file size: the JPG will be larger than the original HEIC. You also lose the ability to edit the photo non-destructively, since JPG re-encodes on every save. If you plan to heavily edit the photo, convert to PNG (lossless) for editing, then save as JPG for the final version.