How to Open HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for free

How to Open HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for free of charge

Ever since Apple and Samsung embraced HEIF as their new file format for images and videos, multiple tech companies including Microsoft and Google started performing on it to take care of compatibility on their platform. It’s claimed that a HEIF image can store equivalent information as a JPEG image in half the quantity of memory space and according to me it is true. iPhones and new Samsung phones are using advantages of this new file format, but if you employ a Windows PC to import HEIF photos then you can’t access those files in a straightforward manner. So, in this article, we are going to know some easy ways to open HEIC, HEIF and HEVC files on Windows 10 for free and without any hassle.

Enable Support for HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files on Windows 10 PC for free:

Before we start, let me clarify some key points. HEIC and HEIF are image file formats and are almost similar. Technically, there are some differences, except for general consumers, it’s almost an equivalent thing so don’t worry if you encounter a rather different file extension. On the opposite hand, HEVC may be a video compression standard and not a file format. Many a time you'll find images with HEIC or HEIF file extension and videos with MKV format but compressed with HEVC standard. 

Note: these file formats, are developed by the MPEG Group and not Apple, I am telling this because many peoples have this misconception that the above-mentioned file formats are developed by Apple.😅

Now, returning to Windows 10. If you open a HEIF image on Windows 10, it'll ask you to install some special codec from Microsoft Store, which costs $0.99 for installing the extra codec and that I don’t know why.🙄

Nevertheless, Microsoft is additionally offering another extension that does an equivalent thing and it’s surprisingly free. So, during this article, I'm getting to show you ways to put in that specific codec so you'll play HEIC, HEIF or HEVC files without paying a dime. That being said, let’s start.

Steps to Enable HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Support on Windows 10 for free:

1. Open this link and install “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” from Microsoft Store. you'll also search manually for it on the Microsoft Store.

2. Open this link and confirm “HEIF Image Extensions” is installed. After April 2018, Microsoft is providing this extension by default. However, if you're still on older builds, go and install from the link.

3. Now, go and open your media folder and enjoy HEIC, HEIF and HEVC files by opening the files without any error.

4. In case, you're still facing any problem, open Windows Settings --> Apps menu --> search for HEVC Video Extension and HEIF Image Extension. --> Click on both the apps(one by one) --> Advanced Options.

5. Now, click on on the “Reset” button. That’s it. Now, the HEIF media files should work and display properly.

Open HEIF, HEIC and HEVC Files on Windows 10 for free of charge:

So that was the guide to enable support for HEIF and related file formats on Windows 10. While Microsoft did start enabling the support by default in April last year, they'll have run into licensing issues with the MPEG group. Hence, the selling price for the extra codec. Thankfully, there's a workaround and you'll catch on for free of charge.

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