

We also love IrfanView as a great, simple image viewer. For example, Adobe Photoshop can now open these files, although you will have to install both the HEIF Image Extensions package mentioned above and the HEVC Video Extensions software. More programs are gaining native support for HEIC image files in HEIF format. Click the “Install” button to download and install support for HEIC image files (which use the HEIF format.) This will open the HEIF Image Extensions page in the Microsoft Store app. When Windows asks “Did you mean to switch apps?,” select “Yes.”

RELATED: How to Install Free HEVC Codecs on Windows 10 (for H.265 Video) If that method doesn’t work and you don’t want to spend $0.99, we recommend you download a free solution we cover below instead. We have a way you can get the HEVC Video Extensions for free. Note: You will also need the HEVC Video Extensions package installed. It’s a free download, and installing it will only take a few moments. The Photos app will tell you that “the HEIF Image Extension is required to display this file.” Click the “Download and install it now” link to get it from the Microsoft Store. If you’re asked which application you want to open it in, select “Photos.” Tip: If the HEIC file doesn’t open in the Photos app, right-click the HEIC file and select Open With > Photos. First, locate an HEIC file in File Explorer on your computer and double-click it.
