If you’ve tried opening iPhone photos on a Windows PC, you’ve probably been told to install HEIF Image Extensions. Here’s what that is, whether you need it, why it often isn’t enough on its own, and how to install or remove it.
What are HEIF Image Extensions?
HEIF Image Extensions is a free add-on from Microsoft that teaches Windows 10 and 11 to handle HEIF image files — the format behind iPhone .heic photos. Once installed:
- HEIC/HEIF photos open in the Photos app
- File Explorer shows thumbnails instead of blank icons
- apps that use Windows’ image codecs (Paint, and Photoshop on Windows) can open them
It’s published by Microsoft Corporation and distributed through the Microsoft Store. Many Windows 11 PCs have it preinstalled.
Do I need HEIF Image Extensions?
| You want to… | Do you need it? |
|---|---|
| Browse and view iPhone photos in Windows Photos | Yes (plus the HEVC codec) |
| See HEIC thumbnails in File Explorer | Yes (plus the HEVC codec) |
| Edit HEIC in Photoshop on Windows | Yes (plus the HEVC codec) |
| Just get JPGs to send or upload | No — convert them instead |
| Use a viewer with built-in HEIC support | No |
Why HEIF Image Extensions alone isn’t enough
This catches almost everyone. HEIF is a container; the photo inside an iPhone HEIC is compressed with HEVC. HEIF Image Extensions handles the container, but decoding the image requires a second add-on:
- HEVC Video Extensions — a paid Microsoft Store app (usually a small one-time fee), or
- HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer — a free version intended for PCs whose manufacturer licensed the codec. On some PCs it’s preinstalled or offered free; on others the Store won’t offer it.
If HEIC files still won’t open after installing HEIF Image Extensions, the missing HEVC codec is almost always why. The relationship between the two formats is explained in HEIF vs HEIC.
How to install HEIF Image Extensions
From the Microsoft Store (recommended)
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Search for HEIF Image Extensions.
- Confirm the publisher is Microsoft Corporation and click Get or Install.
- Repeat for HEVC Video Extensions.
- Close and reopen the Photos app.
Without opening the Store app (winget)
If the Store app misbehaves, Windows’ package manager can install Store apps from a terminal:
winget search "HEIF Image Extensions" --source msstore
winget install "HEIF Image Extensions" --source msstoreAccept the agreements when prompted. This still downloads from Microsoft, just without the Store interface.
Offline installers and third-party downloads
Microsoft doesn’t offer an official standalone installer. Sites offering .appx or “offline installer” downloads of the extension aren’t official — avoid them unless your IT department provides a verified package. On managed work PCs, ask IT to deploy the extension, or use a browser-based converter that needs no installs.
How to uninstall HEIF Image Extensions on Windows 11
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for HEIF Image Extensions.
- Click … → Uninstall.
Or in PowerShell:
Get-AppxPackage *HEIFImageExtension* | Remove-AppxPackageYou can reinstall it from the Store at any time.
Alternatives to the extensions
- Convert to JPG in your browser with the HEIC to JPG converter — no installs, works on locked-down PCs.
- Use a viewer with its own decoder — see Best free HEIC viewers for Windows.
- Avoid HEIC at the source — set the iPhone to transfer JPGs; see How to turn off HEIC on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
If photos still don’t open, check that both extensions are installed, the Photos app is updated, and Windows is current. Our step-by-step fix list is in Can’t open HEIC files on Windows?, and the full walkthrough for viewing HEIC is in How to open HEIC files on Windows 11 and 10. To convert once everything works, see How to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows.