The HEIC file format stores one or more images likely taken by an iPhone or iPad. It is used to save storage space. HEIC files have the .heic extension. They may also use .HEIF.
If you cannot open HEIC files on your Windows PC, you can solve this. Or you can turn HEIC off on your iPhone.
HEIC takes up half the space of JPG but keeps the quality. HEVC is the image and video format used in HEIF. Such files need less storage versus JPEGs.
HEIF requirements were set in 2013. The specification took about one and a half years. It was done in mid 2015.
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. iOS devices save photos as this format. HEIC compresses the photos more.
HEIC is not opened directly in Windows. But you can open it with methods. Or convert HEIC to JPG.
An inbuilt Windows plugin can open HEIC files. You must install and activate it. Go to the Microsoft Store. Search for “HEIC”. Click “Get”. Open the file.
Once installed, the plugin works automatically. Or reset it. Then double click the HEIC file. It should open in Photos app. If not, install the HEIF extension.
To convert to other formats, use the Paint app. The extensions allow reading and writing the format. Although they are free, one costs $0.99. With the extensions, HEIC files will open in Windows.
If the HEIC file has errors, ask the sender to resend it. Downloading issues may cause incomplete files. Try downloading again.
Check if your user account has admin rights.
Apple Photos
Microsoft Windows
Adobe Lightroom