Windows 11 has made massive strides in handling HEIC files compared to its predecessor. For the majority of users with new hardware, the file format will "just work," effectively closing the gap with macOS.
: Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose "Most Compatible." This forces the iPhone to take all future photos as JPEGs, though they will take up more storage space . heic windows 11
| Feature | Windows 11 | macOS | ChromeOS | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Partial/Inconsistent | Full Native | Full Native | | Cost | Free or $0.99 (Varies) | Free | Free | | Editing | Basic | Advanced (Preview app) | Basic | | Conversion | Built-in (Slow) | Built-in (Fast) | Built-in | Windows 11 has made massive strides in handling
The most significant drawback in Windows 11’s HEIC handling is inconsistency. If you are upgrading from Windows 10 or have a specific hardware configuration, you might find that your HEIC files still won't open. | Feature | Windows 11 | macOS |