You can install the HEIC codec from the Microsoft Store:
Native integration; no need for third-party software; enables thumbnail previews in folders. heic image viewer windows 11
| Task | Best choice | |---|---| | Native Explorer thumbnails & Photos app support | Microsoft HEIF Image Extensions (+ HEVC if required) | | Free viewer + batch convert | XnView MP or IrfanView + plugins | | Scriptable/batch conversions | ImageMagick with libheif or ffmpeg | | One-off online conversion | Trusted HEIC→JPEG web converter or Google Photos | You can install the HEIC codec from the
Fortunately, there are several HEIC image viewers available for Windows 11 that can help you view and manage your HEIC files. Here are some of the best options: no need for third-party software