How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows

If you have the HEIF Image Extensions installed (from the Microsoft Store), Windows Paint can open HEIC files and save them as JPG when the installed decoder supports the source file. This option is available on supported Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

Steps:

1. First, install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (search "HEIF Image Extensions", it is free)
2. Right-click your .heic file in File Explorer
3. Select Open with > Paint
4. In Paint, go to File > Save as
5. Choose JPEG picture from the file type dropdown
6. Give the file a name and click Save

Paint does not support batch conversion — you must repeat these steps for each file. For multiple files, use the PowerShell method or an online converter instead.

PowerShell can call Windows Imaging Component through WPF to decode a HEIC file and encode a new JPG. This is a real WIC conversion, not a System.Drawing shortcut. It works only when Windows has a decoder that can open that particular HEIC file.

Before running the script

• Install Microsoft's HEIF Image Extensions. Microsoft says many HEIC photos also require HEVC Video Extensions, which may require a paid Store purchase.
• On Windows N editions, install the Media Feature Pack first if the codec extensions do not work.
• Create the destination folder before running the command. The script refuses to overwrite a JPG.

Save this as Convert-HeicToJpg.ps1

param(
  [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$InputPath,
  [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$OutputPath,
  [ValidateRange(1,100)][int]$Quality = 90
)

$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationCore
$src = (Resolve-Path -LiteralPath $InputPath).ProviderPath
$dst = [IO.Path]::GetFullPath($OutputPath)

if ([IO.Path]::GetExtension($dst) -notin '.jpg', '.jpeg') {
  throw 'OutputPath must end in .jpg or .jpeg.'
}
if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $dst) {
  throw "Refusing to overwrite: $dst"
}
if (-not [IO.Directory]::Exists([IO.Path]::GetDirectoryName($dst))) {
  throw 'Output directory does not exist.'
}

$tmp = [IO.Path]::Combine(
  [IO.Path]::GetDirectoryName($dst),
  '.' + [IO.Path]::GetFileName($dst) + '.' + [guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N') + '.tmp'
)

$input = $null
$output = $null
try {
  try {
    $input = [IO.File]::Open($src, 'Open', 'Read', 'Read')
    $decoder = [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapDecoder]::Create(
      $input,
      [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapCreateOptions]::PreservePixelFormat,
      [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapCacheOption]::OnLoad
    )
  } catch {
    throw "WIC could not decode this file. Check the HEIF/HEVC extensions or the source file. $($_.Exception.Message)"
  } finally {
    if ($input) { $input.Dispose(); $input = $null }
  }

  if ($decoder.Frames.Count -lt 1) { throw 'No decodable image frame found.' }
  $source = $decoder.Frames[0]
  $encoder = [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.JpegBitmapEncoder]::new()
  $encoder.QualityLevel = $Quality
  $encoder.Frames.Add([System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapFrame]::Create($source))

  $output = [IO.File]::Open($tmp, 'CreateNew', 'Write', 'None')
  $encoder.Save($output)
  $output.Dispose(); $output = $null

  $check = [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapDecoder]::Create(
    [uri]$tmp,
    [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapCreateOptions]::PreservePixelFormat,
    [System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapCacheOption]::OnLoad
  )
  if ($check.Frames.Count -ne 1 -or
      $check.Frames[0].PixelWidth -ne $source.PixelWidth -or
      $check.Frames[0].PixelHeight -ne $source.PixelHeight) {
    throw 'JPEG verification failed: frame count or dimensions differ.'
  }

  [IO.File]::Move($tmp, $dst)
  Get-Item -LiteralPath $dst
} catch {
  if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $tmp) { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $tmp -Force }
  throw
} finally {
  if ($output) { $output.Dispose() }
  if ($input) { $input.Dispose() }
}

Run it from PowerShell

The script loads the first decodable frame, writes to a temporary file, reopens the JPG, checks its dimensions, and only then moves it to the requested output path. It never edits the source HEIC.

Metadata note: this basic WIC script does not preserve EXIF automatically. It also converts only the first decoded frame to a standard JPG, so HEIC depth, gain-map, HDR, auxiliary-image, and multi-image data are not carried across. Keep the original HEIC as your archival copy.

IrfanView and XnView offer batch conversion on Windows. HEIC support depends on the installed version, plug-ins, and codecs, so confirm that one sample file opens before selecting a whole folder.

Using IrfanView:

1. Download and install IrfanView and its All Plugins pack from the official site
2. Install the current All Plugins pack and confirm HEIC support in that release
3. Open IrfanView and go to File > Batch Conversion/Rename
4. In the batch dialog, browse to your folder of HEIC files
5. Select all .heic files using the file list
6. Set Output format to JPG and configure quality (85–95 recommended)
7. Set an Output directory for the converted files
8. Click Start Batch

Using XnView MP:

1. Download and install the current XnView MP release
2. Open XnView MP and navigate to your HEIC folder using the left panel
3. Select all files, then go to Tools > Batch Convert
4. Set Format to JPEG and choose an output folder
5. Click Convert

Licensing and decoder requirements can change between releases. Check each tool's current download and license page, then convert one sample before starting a large batch.