How to open HEIF images in Windows: different alternatives to avoid dying trying

If you have a phone that takes photos in HEIF format or that records videos in high efficiency, HECV, and you use Windows, surely you have encountered a problem. It is impossible to open these files on PC, either natively or with third-party applications. That's why we are going to see how HEIF images can be opened on the PC, either with Windows 10 or Windows 11

This was not the case at first, since Windows 10 was natively compatible at its inception. Later, in a more than debatable move, Microsoft separated the codec and made it available to those interested, for a fee, in the App Store.But next to the official option, there are other options

High Efficiency Format

To give us some background, the HEVC codec allows access to high-definition video by minimizing the size and bandwidth required for transmission. The images with HEIF format are the same but in photo format A highly efficient storage system that some mobiles offer as an option, in the case of the most recent iPhones or Samsung terminals among others.

By the way, HEIC is just a variation of HEIF introduced by Apple in its operating systems. In fact, both are exactly the same.

If we focus on photographs, HEIF is the new standard format that replaces the traditional JPEG.HEIF is an acronym for High Efficiency Image File Format and represents an image container (and audio) that allows storing image sequences (JPEG only allows one by one), which for example allows you to record for a time before and a time after taking the photo and thus, for example, choose the sequence or perform something similar to a long exposure.

The truth is that the new format is prey to incompatibilities in Windows operating systems and in versions prior to iOS 11. And in In the case of Windows, correcting this incompatibility is possible in several ways. We will see different methods, leaving for last the one I consider most effective.

Use Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive

If you want to open an HEIC file and use Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive, you can do it without problem and you will only need one network connection. These platforms integrate compatible viewers.

These cloud storage services support the new highly efficient file format so you only need to select the image and press on the eye icon to preview.

Use free applications or web converters

Along with using the cloud, you can also use free applications such as iMazing HEIC Converter available in the Microsoft Store or the HEIC Converter HEIC to JPG from Apowersoft. In the first case we are faced with a very accessible application.

Simply drag and drop, allowing users to reformat HEIC files as JPEG or PNG. With the second we can use the application or use the web converter.And it is that there is also the option of using online converters, where there are multiple options such as the previous ones or this one to name just a few examples.

All these methods are valid, but it would be much more practical to do it natively, and if possible, saving the 0, 99 euros that Microsoft asks for the codec in the Microsoft Store and that can be downloaded at this link.

The first method is to access this link from the Microsoft Store. It is an extension designed for manufacturers to install the codec in their products before they go on sale In this way it comes pre-installed and the user does not have to to do nothing The problem is that currently it can only be downloaded with a gift code.

The main advantage of installing the codec over converters or viewers, is that any installed photo application will be able to open HEIF images. Even Photoshop becomes compatible and opens them with no problem.

Or change settings on mobile

So all we have to do is check out and download the Microsoft codec for HEIF images? Yes, but for the more adventurous you can browse through forums and websites where this codec can be downloaded for free.

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Also, if you don&39;t mind a photo or video taking up more space, you can always turn off high-efficiency imaging in settings of the mobile, which in the case of iOS goes through accessing the Settings>"