Working with HEIC files on Windows 10

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After a clean install of Windows 10 in May 2021 I was not able to open HEIC files. First I tried installing the free HEIC codec from the Microsoft Store, but it didn't fully fix the issue. Next I tried CopyTrans HEIC which got Windows Photo Viewer working for viewing, and added the ability to right click to convert .HEIC files to .JPG. It did not fix the these issues though:

  • Unable to rotate images in either Windows Photo Viewer or Photos app
  • Photos app very low res viewing only
  • Photos app no cropping/editing
  • Colors are off (I learned iPhone is using the "Display P3" color profile when GIMP offered to convert to RGB color profile, and yes GIMP could still view and edit the images when Windows could not)

The solution was to install the HEVC codec from the Microsoft Store in addition to the HEIC codec. It used to be free, but now they charge 99 cents. I found a direct link on Reddit that works to install it for free still though (the software still comes from Microsoft via the Store).

So you really do need both the HEIC and HEVC codecs to work with iPhone HEIC pictures on Windows.

Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/j58y6f/no_longer_free_windows_10_hevc_video_extensions/

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