How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows (4 Free Methods)
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows (4 Free Methods)
If you have ever copied photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC, you have probably seen it: a folder full of .HEIC files that Windows refuses to open. HEIC is the photo format Apple has used by default since iOS 11 — it saves space on your phone, but Windows 10 and 11 cannot open it out of the box. The good news: learning how to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows takes less than a minute, and every method below is completely free. Here are 4 free methods, from the simplest one-click option to batch conversion for hundreds of photos.
Method 1: Open HEIC files with the free HEIF Image Extensions (easiest)
Microsoft itself publishes a free extension that teaches Windows how to read HEIC files. Once installed, your HEIC photos open in the Photos app like any normal picture.
- Open the Microsoft Store (press the Windows key and type “Store”).
- Search for “HEIF Image Extensions” and install it — it is free and published by Microsoft.
- Now double-click any .HEIC file. It opens in the Photos app.
- To save it as a JPG: click the “…” menu at the top of Photos, choose “Save as”, select JPEG as the file type, pick a folder, and click Save.
Method 2: Use a free online HEIC to JPG converter (fastest, no install)
Don’t want to install anything? An online converter does the whole job in your browser: upload the HEIC file, it converts, you download the JPG. Nothing to install, works on any PC.
- Open the converter page.
- Drag your HEIC file (or files) into the upload box.
- Click Convert and wait a few seconds.
- Click Download to save the JPG to your computer.
Try it here: Free HEIC to JPG Converter — no signup, and the conversion happens right in your browser, so your photos never leave your computer.
Method 3: Change your iPhone setting so new photos save as JPG (stops the problem)
If you’re tired of converting, tell your iPhone to stop making HEIC files in the first place:
- On your iPhone, open Settings → Camera → Formats.
- Tap “Most Compatible” instead of “High Efficiency”.
- From now on, new photos are saved as JPEG — they open everywhere, including Windows, with no conversion needed.
Method 4: Batch-convert hundreds of HEIC files at once (free software)
Got a whole folder of HEIC photos? Converting them one by one is painful. CopyTrans HEIC for Windows (free for personal use) adds a right-click option to convert any number of files in one go:
- Download and install CopyTrans HEIC for Windows (free for home use).
- Select one HEIC file — or select dozens at once with Ctrl+click.
- Right-click and choose “Convert to JPEG with CopyTrans”.
- The JPG files appear in the same folder, right next to the originals. Your HEIC originals are kept untouched.
Which method should you use?
| Your situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Just a few photos to convert | Method 1 — HEIF Image Extensions + Photos app |
| Someone else’s PC, no installs allowed | Method 2 — online converter |
| Never want to convert again | Method 3 — iPhone “Most Compatible” setting |
| Hundreds of photos at once | Method 4 — CopyTrans batch conversion |
Frequently asked questions
How can I convert my HEIC files to JPEG?
The fastest free way on Windows is to install the free “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store, open the HEIC file in the Photos app, and use “…” → “Save as” → JPEG. For many files at once, use an online converter or free batch software like CopyTrans HEIC.
How do I convert iPhone photos to JPEG?
For photos you already took, convert them with any of the 4 methods above. To make your iPhone save future photos as JPEG automatically, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose “Most Compatible”.
How do I convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 10 specifically?
Windows 10 works exactly like Windows 11 here: install “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store, open the file in the Photos app, then “…” → “Save as” → JPEG. The extension is published by Microsoft and is completely free.
Is there a free way to convert HEIC to JPG without losing quality?
Yes — all four methods above are free. One honest note: JPG is a compressed format, so conversion is technically slightly lossy, but at the highest quality setting the difference is invisible to the human eye. If you want to be extra safe, keep your original HEIC files as backup.
What to read next
On a Mac instead? Read How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac. Or skip the guides and convert right now with our free HEIC to JPG converter — no signup needed.