How to Mass Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows
For iPhone owners and users of modern Apple devices, HEIC file is common, being the default image format in question. While HEIC provides excellent compression and quality, it is not natively supported on Windows, which can lead to compatibility problems.
This all-inclusive guide will show you multiple methods to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows, therefore ensuring that your images can be accessed by any device. Whether you are looking for a quick solution or a batch solution, this article has something for you.
Why Do We Need to Convert HEIC to JPG?
Now, let us know the reasons that necessitates converting HEIC to JPG file format. We have 3 main reasons here:
1. For Wider Compatibility
- The JPG format is universally supported across Windows, Android, and web platforms.
- Many apps and websites are not designed to accept HEIC, and so JPG would be the safer option.
2. Easier Editing & Sharing
- Most photo editors (Photoshop, GIMP, Paint) cannot open HEIC files without a plugin,
- Social media platforms and cloud storage services prefer JPG.
3. Reduced File Sizes (When Needed)
- Although HEIC is more space efficient, many times, JPG can save you space at a lower quality setting, which can be useful for emailing pictures.
Next are the best ways to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows.
How to Mass Convert HEIC to JPG Via Multiple Approaches
There are multiple approaches that can turn heic files into jpg with or without software. Users can choose one of these methods to get the job done. Some methods are free while others may incur charges.
To mass convert HEIC to JPG on Windows, you can use the free Photos app, or a dedicated software or a PowerShell script, or utilize online converters. Here is a breakdown of these methods:
1. Use Windows Photos App (Built-in Solution)
The easiest way to convert HEIC to JPG is by using the Windows Photos app, provided the user has the required extensions installed.
- Open the Microsoft Store and download
- HEIF Image Extensions (For the photos)
- HEVC Video Extensions (For the videos, optional but recommended)
- Install both (it may require a small fee for HEVC).
- Right-click on the HEIC file → Open with → Photos.
- Click on the three-dot menu (⋯) → Save as.
- Choose JPEG as the format and save it.
Pros: Free, requires no third-party software.
Cons: Manual process (not very suitable for bulk conversion).
2. Online HEIC to JPG Converters (No Installation)
This method comes into play when a user do not want to install anything. It is very good for handling small files and infrequent conversion needs.
- Search for “Online heic to jpg converter” on the internet.
- Go to a listed site.
- Upload the HEIC file(s) (drag & drop or browse).
- Select JPG/JPEG as the output format.
- Click on Convert and download the file.
Alert: Do not upload sensitive or private images to online tools for security reasons.
Pros: No software installation needed, works on any device.
Cons: Needs internet access, raises privacy doubts with personal photos.
3. Dedicated HEIC to JPG Converter Software (Recommended)
A dedicated software like SysTools Image File Converter is the best approach for batch conversion or full control. This is a robust tool to take care of multiple HEIC images without any issues.
The key features of this tool involve mass converting the HEIC files into JPG images. It allows users to turn images of all kinds like PNG, JPG, BMP, WebP, etc along with the HEIC image format. Moreover, this tool lets also acts as an Image to PDF converter software since it supports multiple import and export formats.
Other features include changing the image quality and resizing the image to a size of users’ choosing. Hence, this is a professional tool that most users love when dealing with multiple image formats. So, download the tool on your Windows OS and try the trial version first for free.
Download here:
Steps to Turn HEIC File into JPG Format:
- Install and launch SysTools HEIC Converter.
- Add HEIC images with “Add File(s)” button and choose the destination folder.
- Next, preview the images in the Preview tab, then click on Next to go to settings tab.
- Here, choose JPG or JPEG as the output format (both are inherently the same with diff in extension name).
- Here, users can change the software settings like image quality and size as per their convenience.
- Next, click on Convert button to start the conversion process.
Pros: Fast batch conversion, secure and no loss of quality.
Cons: Must download software to use.
4. Use Adobe Photoshop (For Users Who Already Have It)
This method is for users who already have Adobe Photoshop installed on their system or have a way to use it. After all, already having Photoshop on the system allows a user to import HEIC files and export them to JPGs. Given below are the steps to converting HEIC to JPG in Photoshop:
- Open Adobe Photoshop.
- Click on File >> Open and select HEIC file.
- Once opened, click on File >> Export >> Save As.
- File type will be marked to JPEG format and quality will be set if required.
- Finally, Save the changes.
Pros: Great quality output, Editing option will be there.
Cons: Needed Photoshop (Paid Software).
5. Automate Conversion with PowerShell (For Tech-Savvy Users)
Powershell scripts are a great way to automate the conversion. In fact, it is even better if you have hundreds of HEIC files to convert into JPG image formats.
Step-by-Step PowerShell Script
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Copy and paste the following script:
Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Drawing
$heicFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\YourFolder" -Filter *.heic
foreach ($file in $heicFiles) {
$image = [System.Drawing.Image]::FromFile($file.FullName)
$jpgPath = [System.IO.Path]::ChangeExtension($file.FullName, ".jpg")
$image.Save($jpgPath, [System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat]::Jpeg)
$image.Dispose()
Write-Host "Converted: $($file.Name)" }
- Remember to replace the part indicated as “C:\YourFolder” with your HEIC file location.
- Finally, hit Enter to execute the script.
Pros: No additional software required, suitable for bulk conversions.
Cons: Requires basic coding knowledge.
Method 6: Google Drive or Dropbox (An Alternative Cloud Solution)
Certain cloud storage solutions automatically convert HEIC to JPG files when downloading.
Steps to convert via Google Drive.
- Upload HEIC files to Google Drive.
- Right-click on the file → Download.
- Google Drive auto-converts the HEIC file to JPG during download.
Pros: No additional tools required.
Cons: It requires you to upload files onto the cloud.
Also Read: How to Convert HEIC to PDF
FAQs
Q1: Does the conversion from HEIC to JPG decrease quality?
A: JPG is a lossy format, but at high quality settings, the difference is negligible.
Q2: Why can’t Windows open HEIC files by default?
A: HEIC is an Apple format. Windows requires HEIF Image Extensions to have native support.
Q3: Am I able to convert HEIC files to JPG for free on Windows?
A: Yes! Free conversion programs include Windows Photos or go to an online tool.
Q4: How can I most quickly change HEIC files to JPG in bulk?
A: For bulk conversions, you can run any of the following: SysTools HEIC Converter or PowerShell script.
Q5: HEIC files vs JPG files: which is better?
A: HEIC has smaller file size for the same quality, so it has better compression but JPG is more widely accepted.
Final Thoughts
Converting HEIC images to JPG on Windows is an important step towards the files’ compatibility with different applications, ease of sharing, and editing. You may choose to do this:
- Use Windows Photos for single files.
- Use online converters for speed and no installation.
- Dedicated conversion software for batch conversion.
- Use PowerShell for advanced automated bulk processing.
These are just some of the methods you could utilize to get your HEIC images working just about anywhere.
Regularly converting images to JPG requires the SysTools HEIC Converter or the HEIF extensions for straightforward handling.
By following this manual, the HEIC to JPG conversion should be a walk in the park for you!