How to open HEIF or HEIC images in Windows 10

High-Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF), also known as High-Efficiency Image Coding (HEIC), is slowly becoming the standard file format for photographers for both individual images and image sequences. Today, some of the largest technology companies in the world have embraced HEIF, including Apple.

Apple’s iPhone and iPad now take photos in the HEIF image format, and these photos have the .HEIC file extension. Windows doesn’t natively support HEIC files, but there’s a way to view them anyway.

Select the following link > https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/heif-image-extensions/9pmmsr1cgpwg?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Click the Get button (example image below)

Illustration of the Get button to start download of HEIF for Windows 10

You may get a pop up asking you to Open Microsoft Store. Please click Open Microsoft Store.

This will install the extension to your device with a confirmation shown below that it successfully installed.

If you have issues with the install process or have other questions, please contact the VCSU Help Desk by going to https://onestop.vcsu.edu.