How to Open HEIF and HEVC Files in Windows 11 Adobe (Free Codecs Download 2022)

To view and edit HEIF/.heic photos (the format many iPhones and other phones use) in Adobe Photoshop on Windows 11 or 10, you need two codecs from Microsoft: the HEIF Image Extensions and the HEVC Video Extensions. Below I show you how to install them from the Microsoft Store, or with my download.

In this article

1. The error messages you may see
2. Install the HEIC/HEVC codecs from the Microsoft Store
3. Or download the codecs from Tips2Fix
   1. Original source of the files

The error messages you may see

When you open HEIF/.heic files in Photoshop without the codecs, you may see one of these messages:

• Additional non Adobe software is needed to open .heic files. Install the required software so Photoshop can open this file.
• Could not open “imagename.heic” because Photoshop cannot recognize the file extension.

Note: according to Adobe, Canon HIF/HEIC files are not supported. Use the raw files from Canon cameras for the best results.

Install the HEIC/HEVC codecs from the Microsoft Store

To import HEIF/.heic files, download and install both the HEIF and the HEVC extension directly from Microsoft:

1. Quit Photoshop.
2. Get the HEIF Image Extensions (free). This extension lets Windows read and write files that use the High Efficiency Image File (HEIF) format.
3. Buy the HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99 in the US Store). This extension plays High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) videos in any video app on your Windows device.
4. Restart Photoshop and open your HEIF/.heic file again.

Or download the codecs from Tips2Fix

If you cannot use the Microsoft Store, download both codecs in one ZIP file here:

Download Microsoft HEIF and HEVC Codecs

The ZIP file contains the Microsoft installer packages (.Appx) for the HEIF Image Extension (version 1.0.43012.0) and the HEVC Video Extension (version 1.0.43421.0), each for 64-bit (x64) and 32-bit (x86) Windows. To install them:

1. Quit Photoshop and extract the ZIP file.
2. Double-click the x64 file of the HEIF Image Extension (use the x86 file only on 32-bit Windows).
3. Click Install in the window that opens.
4. Do the same with the HEVC Video Extension file.
5. Restart Photoshop and open your HEIF/.heic file.

If double-clicking does not open an installer, open PowerShell and install the file with this command (replace the path with the real location of the file):

Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension_1.0.43012.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx"

Note: these are older versions of the codecs. The Microsoft Store versions get automatic updates, so use the Store if you can.

Original source of the files

• https://www.free-codecs.com/heif_image_extensions_download.htm
• https://www.free-codecs.com/hevc_video_extension_download.htm

Also using Premiere Pro? See how to fix the HEIF and HEVC extensions in Adobe Premiere Pro.