Free - Windows 10/11 - 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit

X HEIC Codec for Windows

See your iPhone HEIC and HEIF photos as real thumbnails in File Explorer - free, with no Microsoft Store extensions.

.heic.heics.heif.heifs.hif (Canon)File Explorer thumbnailsPaint and Photo ViewerWindows Imaging ComponentNo Store accountSilent install

X HEIC Codec

WIC codec

Real thumbnails for .heic, .heics, .heif, .heifs and Canon .hif photos in File Explorer

Opens HEIC photos in Paint, Windows Photo Viewer and IrfanView

Optional X HEIC Metadata add-on: date taken, camera and tags in the Details pane

No Microsoft Store, no paid HEVC extension, no account - free on Windows 10 too

Works on work and school PCs where the Microsoft Store is blocked

Picks the right build for your PC - 64-bit, ARM64 or 32-bit

One 2.8 MB installer - no bundled apps, no Visual C++ runtime

Never restarts File Explorer - asks for a PC restart only when needed

Repair and Rebuild thumbnail cache shortcuts in the Start Menu

Download X HEIC CodecFree - Windows 10/11 - v1.1.16 build 4 - 2.8 MB

Also need JPEG XL? X Image Codecs adds JPEG XL thumbnails and photo details in the same installer.

What is a HEIC file?

HEIC is the photo format iPhones use by default. It stores the same picture as a JPG in about half the space.

Windows does not read it out of the box, so copied iPhone photos show up as blank icons.

HEIC or HEIF?

HEIF is the container format and HEIC is HEIF with HEVC-compressed images inside. This codec handles .heic and .heif photos plus the .heics and .heifs image sequences.

Canon EOS R-series cameras save HEIF photos as .hif. Setup registers that extension too.

Already have Microsoft's extensions?

Setup checks first. If HEIC thumbnails already work on your PC, it registers the codec without touching the thumbnail cache and needs no restart.

Photo details too

Setup offers X HEIC Metadata as a ticked add-on. It shows the date taken, camera, tags and rating stored in your photos in the Details pane and Windows Search.

JPEG XL too

X Image Codecs installs this HEIC codec, X JXL WinThumb and the metadata add-ons together, with a checkbox for each.

How to see HEIC thumbnails on Windows

From blank icons to photo thumbnails in three steps

Download and run setup

Run X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exe and confirm the Windows admin prompt. Keep X HEIC Metadata ticked if you want photo details too - setup picks the 64-bit, ARM64 or 32-bit build by itself.

Restart if asked

File Explorer keeps the blank icons it drew before the codec existed. If it cached any, setup clears that cache at your next restart and offers to restart now or later.

Open your photo folders

HEIC and HEIF photos now show thumbnails in File Explorer. Double-click opens them in any app that uses the Windows Imaging Component, such as Paint or Windows Photo Viewer.

Ways to open HEIC on Windows

X HEIC Codec vs the alternatives

This page

X HEIC Codec

Free for home and business use
One small installer, no bundled apps
No Store, account or paid HEVC extension
Works where the Microsoft Store is blocked
Thumbnails plus date taken and camera
Works in Paint and WIC-based viewers
Silent install for many PCs
Viewing only - does not convert files

Microsoft Store

HEIF + HEVC extensions

Made and signed by Microsoft
Also adds HEVC video playback
Can save HEIF in apps that offer it
Two separate apps, about 20 MB
HEVC Video Extensions is paid - the free build needs Windows 11
Needs the Store, often blocked at work

Workaround

Convert everything to JPG

Opens anywhere
Files roughly double in size
Re-compression loses quality
Extra step for every new photo
Online converters see your photos

CopyTrans HEIC and WIC for HEIC alternative

X HEIC Codec vs CopyTrans HEIC and WIC for HEIC

X HEIC Codec runs on WicHeic, the same open-source engine as WIC for HEIC.

What we add is the installer around it: the right build for your PC, thumbnail cache handling, repair tools and photo details.

CopyTrans HEIC is a different kind of tool - a viewer and HEIC to JPG converter.

Feature	X HEIC Codec	CopyTrans HEIC	WIC for HEIC
Thumbnails in File Explorer	Yes	Yes	Yes
Date taken, camera, tags	Yes - X HEIC Metadata add-on	Not listed	Not included
Canon .hif photos	Yes	Not listed	No - .hif is not registered
Business use	Free	Paid Pro license	Free
Convert HEIC to JPG	No - photos stay HEIC	Yes, right-click	No
Picks x64, ARM64 or x86 for you	Yes	Not listed	Not listed
Clears stale blank thumbnails	Yes, at next restart	Not listed	No
Repair and cache rebuild	Start Menu shortcuts	Reinstall	Reinstall
Silent install	`/S` with exit codes	MSI in Pro only	MSI
Windows 7 and 8.1	No	Yes	No

Need JPG copies to email or upload? CopyTrans HEIC is the better fit.

Want iPhone photos to simply work in File Explorer, on one PC or a whole office? X HEIC Codec does that for free.

Troubleshooting

HEIC thumbnails still blank?

Restart your PC first if setup asked you to. Explorer only lets go of its old thumbnail cache at startup.

Still blank? Open Start > X Codec Pack > X HEIC Codec > Rebuild thumbnail cache. It clears the cached thumbnails and Windows builds new ones as you browse.

If thumbnails stopped working after a Windows update or a cleanup tool, use Repair X HEIC Codec in the same folder. You can also select X HEIC Codec in Add or Remove Programs and choose Change (Modify in Windows Settings).

Contacting support? Run setup with a log and attach the file - it records every step:

X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exe /log=heic-setup.log

For IT and deployment

Silent install and uninstall

Setup runs unattended with /S and returns standard exit codes. It never restarts the PC on its own.

X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exe /S /log=C:\Logs\heic.log
X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exe /S /nocompanions
"C:\Program Files\X Codec Pack\X HEIC Codec\Uninstall.exe" /S
"C:\Program Files\X Codec Pack\HEIC Metadata\Uninstall.exe" /S

A silent install adds X HEIC Metadata too. Use /nocompanions to install the codec alone.

Exit code	Meaning
`0`	Installed - no restart needed
`3010`	Installed - restart needed to clear the old thumbnail cache
`1`	Cancelled
`2`	Stopped by an error - the log says why

Deploying JPEG XL as well? X Image Codecs takes /codecs=jxl,heic to pick codecs in one silent run.

Verify your download

SHA-256 checksum

The installer is not code-signed, so SmartScreen may call it unrecognised. The hash proves your file is byte-for-byte the one we built.

X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exeB0AE 1F9D 4029 DFF4 DD1C BB3B 388F AC52 F563 CC1C 4B98 D506 8998 68ED 89C3 1E10

Check it in PowerShell: Get-FileHash .\X-HEIC-Codec_Setup.exe

FAQ

HEIC on Windows - frequently asked questions

Why do my iPhone photos show blank icons on Windows?

iPhones save photos as HEIC, and Windows has no HEIC decoder built in. File Explorer cannot draw a preview, so it shows a generic icon. Installing a HEIC codec gives Windows that decoder.

Is this HEIC codec really free?

Yes. It is free for personal and commercial use, with no trial, ads inside the software or account. It is built on the open-source libheif and libde265 libraries.

Do I still need the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store?

Not for photos. This codec includes its own HEVC image decoder, so HEIC photos work without any Store app. You only need Microsoft's HEVC extension if you also want to play HEVC videos in Microsoft's own apps.

Does it work on PCs where the Microsoft Store is blocked?

Yes. X HEIC Codec is a normal Windows installer and never touches the Store, so it works on work and school PCs where the Store or Store apps are turned off. You need administrator rights to install it.

Is X HEIC Codec a free alternative to CopyTrans HEIC?

For viewing, yes. Both add HEIC thumbnails to File Explorer, but X HEIC Codec is free for business use too and adds photo details through X HEIC Metadata. CopyTrans HEIC also converts HEIC to JPG and supports Windows 7 and 8.1, which X HEIC Codec does not.

How is it different from WIC for HEIC?

It uses the same open-source WicHeic engine, so photos decode the same way. X HEIC Codec adds the installer around it: it picks the 64-bit, ARM64 or 32-bit build, clears stale blank thumbnails, offers X HEIC Metadata for photo details and adds Repair and Rebuild thumbnail cache shortcuts.

Which file extensions does X HEIC Codec support?

Five: .heic (iPhone photos), .heics (HEIC image sequences such as bursts), .heif (HEIF photos from Android phones and cameras), .heifs (HEIF image sequences) and .hif (Canon EOS R-series cameras). All five get thumbnails in File Explorer and open in Paint and Windows Photo Viewer.

Does it open Canon .hif photos?

Yes. Canon EOS R-series cameras such as the R5, R6 and R7 save HEIF photos as .hif, and setup registers .hif next to .heic and .heif, so they get thumbnails and open in Paint and Windows Photo Viewer. HDR (PQ) .hif photos are shown in standard range, so colours can look flatter than in Canon's own software.

Which apps can open HEIC files after installing it?

Any app that uses the Windows Imaging Component, such as File Explorer, Paint, Windows Photo Viewer and IrfanView. Apps with their own image engine, such as GIMP or browsers, are not affected by Windows codecs.

Can Windows show the date taken and camera of HEIC photos?

Yes, with the X HEIC Metadata add-on that setup offers. It reads the EXIF and XMP inside each photo, so the Details pane, Properties and Windows Search show date taken, camera, tags and rating.

Does it convert HEIC to JPG?

No - it lets Windows read HEIC files as they are, so there is nothing to convert. Your photos keep their original quality and small size.

Will it restart File Explorer or close my windows?

No. Setup never restarts File Explorer. If Explorer has already cached blank icons, the cache is cleared at your next PC restart, and setup lets you restart now or later.

Which Windows versions are supported?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 on 64-bit Intel and AMD PCs, ARM64 PCs such as Snapdragon laptops, and 32-bit Windows 10. Setup picks the right build automatically.

How do I uninstall it?

Open Add or Remove Programs, select X HEIC Codec and choose Uninstall. If Explorer is still using the codec, the last file is removed at your next restart.

X HEIC Codec for Windows

From blank icons to photo thumbnails in three steps

Download and run setup

Restart if asked

Open your photo folders

X HEIC Codec vs the alternatives

X HEIC Codec

HEIF + HEVC extensions

Convert everything to JPG

X HEIC Codec vs CopyTrans HEIC and WIC for HEIC

HEIC thumbnails still blank?

Silent install and uninstall

SHA-256 checksum

HEIC on Windows - frequently asked questions

Free codecs and tools for Windows

X Image Codecs

X Codec Pack

X Codec Inspector