How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

HEIC files (the default iPhone photo format) are lightweight and high-quality — great for saving space. But they’re not always the easiest to share or use on other devices. Want to turn those HEIC photos into widely compatible JPGs on your Windows 11 PC? You’ve come to the right place. This guide walks you through everything — from quick one-off saves to batch conversions — with safe, easy steps and tips so your photos keep looking great.

Ready to convert like a pro? Let’s go.

Table of Contents

What is HEIC (and why does it exist)?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) stores photos using HEIF image compression. In plain language: smaller files, good-looking photos. Apple adopted HEIC to reduce storage needs while keeping image quality high. The trade-off? Not every app or device supports HEIC out of the box — especially older apps and many web services that expect JPGs.

Why convert HEIC to JPG?

Why bother converting? A few good reasons:

Compatibility: JPG is accepted almost everywhere — websites, email, editors, and printers.
Sharing: Friends and services often can’t open HEICs.
Editing: Some editors and tools don’t read HEIC.
Backup & printing workflows often prefer JPG.

Think of HEIC as a compact luggage bag: great for travel, but some taxis only take standard-sized suitcases (JPGs). Converting makes your photo ready for any trip.

Before you start: Quick checklist

Before converting, check these basics:

Do you want a single photo converted or hundreds? (Different tools for each.)
Want to preserve metadata (EXIF — date, location)? Some converters strip it by default.
Concerned about quality? JPG is lossy — choose high quality if you care.
Privacy-sensitive images? Avoid online converters (they upload your pictures).

Got all that? Great — pick a method below.

Method 1 — Install HEIF Image Extensions and use Paint (simple & built-in)

This is the most Windows-native approach and works well for single images.

Open the Microsoft Store app.
Search for HEIF Image Extensions and install it. (This lets Windows view HEIC files.)
After installing, right-click a .heic file → Open with → Paint (or Photos).
In Paint: File → Save as → JPEG picture. Choose filename and folder.
That’s it — you now have a JPG.

Why this is great: it uses built-in Windows apps, keeps things local (no uploads), and is straightforward.

Method 2 — Use the Photos app (quick single export)

If you prefer Photos over Paint:

Double-click the HEIC to open it in Photos (requires HEIF extensions).
Click the three-dot menu or the … and choose Save as (or Save a copy).
Choose JPEG or a compatible format and save.

If you don’t see a Save as option, fall back to Paint — it always works once HEIF support is installed.

Method 3 — Convert automatically when transferring from iPhone (best for many photos)

If you transfer photos from an iPhone using a USB cable, you can avoid HEIC entirely:

On the iPhone, go to Settings → Photos.
Scroll to Transfer to Mac or PC.
Select Automatic (instead of Keep Originals).

With Automatic selected, when you copy photos to your Windows PC via a cable, the phone will convert HEICs to JPGs on the fly. Super handy for bulk transfers and avoids conversion steps later.

Method 4 — Batch convert with ImageMagick (powerful & free)

If you need to convert dozens or hundreds of HEIC files, ImageMagick is the command-line champ.

Download and install ImageMagick for Windows (choose the version that includes HEIC support).
Open Command Prompt and cd to the folder with your HEIC files.
For a single image:

For batch conversion (all HEICs in folder):

Optionally set quality (0–100):

Note: ImageMagick keeps metadata by default unless you tell it to strip it. Batch tools are fast and scriptable — great for power users.

Method 5 — Use a free desktop converter (GUI, safe, easy)

If command-line tools aren’t your thing, there are friendly apps:

iMazing HEIC Converter — drag-and-drop, choose JPG or PNG, set quality, keeps EXIF.
CopyTrans HEIC for Windows — integrates with File Explorer and can convert quickly.
XnConvert or IrfanView (with plugins) — powerful batch options.

These let you convert large batches locally, control quality, and preserve metadata — without uploading your photos to a website.

Method 6 — Convert with Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (for professionals)

If you already use Lightroom or Photoshop:

Import HEIC into Lightroom or Photoshop (both support HEIC on Windows 11 with HEIF extensions).
Export or Save As → choose JPEG and adjust quality, color profile, and metadata.

Great when you want to edit before converting.

Method 7 — Use OneDrive or iCloud (auto-convert during upload/download)

Cloud services sometimes help:

OneDrive can display HEICs on Windows if HEIF extensions are installed, and some clients will convert on download.
iCloud for Windows may offer downloads in JPG depending on your settings.

Caveat: behavior can change with service updates, and cloud conversions may alter metadata or quality — check settings and do a test photo first.

Method 8 — Online converters (convenient, but have privacy tradeoffs)

Web tools can convert HEIC to JPG quickly:

Drag HEIC files into a site, download JPGs a moment later.

BUT — think privacy: your images are uploaded to a third-party server. Don’t use online converters for sensitive photos (IDs, medical stuff, private family photos). If you must use an online service, choose one with a clear privacy policy and delete files after conversion.

Method 9 — Batch convert with IrfanView (simple GUI with plugins)

IrfanView + plugins is a lightweight option for many conversions:

Install IrfanView and the IrfanView Plugins pack.
Open IrfanView → File → Batch Conversion/Rename.
Add .heic files, set output format to JPG, choose quality, and start.

IrfanView is fast and reliable for large folders of images.

How to preserve photo quality and metadata

When converting:

Choose high quality (90–100) to reduce visible compression artifacts.
Look for options labeled “Keep EXIF data” or “Preserve metadata” in tools.
If you need lossless results, consider PNG for images where fidelity matters — but PNGs are much larger.
Avoid converting the same image multiple times (repeated JPG re-encoding reduces quality).

Batch conversion tips & examples

Put all HEICs in one folder to simplify commands.
Back up originals before running batch jobs.
Test on 2–3 images first to verify quality and metadata.
Use naming patterns to avoid overwriting (ImageMagick creates separate .jpg files by default).

Example ImageMagick batch (create new JPG files):

Troubleshooting: HEIC files won’t open

If Windows can’t open HEICs:

Install the HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft Store.
If a file still fails, it might be an HEIC variant needing HEVC support — some files (especially burst or Live Photos) require the HEVC codec to decode. Install the optional HEVC Video Extensions if prompted.
Try opening in a third-party app like IrfanView with plugins or ImageMagick.

Privacy & security: Which conversion method is safest?

Safest (local): Paint, Photos, ImageMagick, iMazing, IrfanView — everything happens on your PC.
Riskier (online): Web converters upload files to servers — avoid for private photos.
Always keep backups of originals until you confirm conversions went well.

When converting is not the right move

Sometimes you don’t need to convert:

If your recipient can open HEIC (new Macs, iPhones, or certain viewers), just share the original.
For cloud albums, some services accept HEIC directly.
If storage space matters, HEIC is smaller — keep originals and share JPG copies only when needed.

Quick cheat-sheet: Which method to use

One photo, quick: Paint or Photos (after HEIF extension).
Many photos, local: ImageMagick or iMazing HEIC Converter.
Edit before convert: Lightroom / Photoshop.
Need explorer thumbnails & easy convert: CopyTrans HEIC (adds JPG context menu).
No installs & sensitive photos: Use local tools, not web services.

Conclusion

Converting HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 is easy once you know your options. For one-off conversions, installing the HEIF Image Extensions and using Paint or Photos is fast and free. For bulk jobs, ImageMagick, IrfanView, or iMazing make life simple and let you keep control over quality and metadata. And remember — if privacy matters, stick to local tools and avoid uploading images to unknown websites.

So whether you’re sharing with friends, uploading to a site, or preparing photos for printing, you now have a toolbox of safe, reliable ways to convert HEIC into JPG on Windows 11. Happy converting!

FAQs

1. Do I lose image quality when converting HEIC to JPG?
Yes — JPG is lossy. Choose a high-quality setting (90–100) during conversion to minimize visible loss. If you need perfect fidelity, keep the original HEIC or convert to a lossless format like PNG (larger file sizes).

2. Is it safe to use online HEIC to JPG converters?
It depends. Online converters are convenient but upload your photos to third-party servers. Avoid them for sensitive or private images. For privacy, use local desktop converters.

3. Why can’t Windows open some HEIC files even after installing HEIF extensions?
Some HEIC files (especially Live Photos or files encoded with certain HEVC features) may require the HEVC codec or additional support. Try installing the optional HEVC extension or use a third-party app like IrfanView or ImageMagick.

4. How can I convert hundreds of HEIC files at once?
Use batch-capable tools like ImageMagick (magick mogrify -format jpg *.heic), IrfanView’s batch dialog, or XnConvert. Always back up originals first and test settings on a few photos.

5. Will converting HEIC to JPG preserve my photo’s date and location info?
Many reliable tools preserve EXIF metadata by default (e.g., iMazing, ImageMagick unless you explicitly strip metadata). Check the conversion settings for “preserve metadata” to be sure.