How to install HEVC and HEIF codecs on Windows 11

HEVC and HEIF are codecs that use similar compression techniques to improve video and image quality across a variety of devices. If you can't open these files, here's how you can install support for them on your Windows 11 PC.

Why not pay for HEVC/HEIF support on Windows?

The names of these standards can be a bit confusing, so here's a little explanation. HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) — also known as H.265 — is for video, but the videos themselves can come in a variety of file formats. The HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) codec is for images, but you'll usually see them as HEIF files.

In many cases, the codecs needed to view HEVC/HEIF content will come pre-installed on Windows 11. But if they aren't on your machine, you'll have to install them manually.

You can install support for these formats from the Microsoft Store, but if you're in the US or certain countries, you might be surprised to find that you have to pay for them.

This is because these codecs have licensing fees associated with them and Microsoft charges users to use them. However, don’t worry, as there are a number of ways to get support for these formats for free, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Alternatives to HEVC/HEIF Support (Free)

If you don't want to pay to open HEVC/HEIF files on Windows, you can use programs that include these codecs for free or install codec packs. The first option is to install a media player that already supports these codecs.

VLC is a great media player that includes HEVC/HEIF support in its software. Download and install VLC, and you'll be able to watch H.265 videos from the app. Other media players, such as DivX and mpv, also include free support for these formats.

• Download VLC (Free)

To view HEIF images, you can install GIMP, which is a free and open-source photo editor that supports many image formats, including HEIF.

• Download GIMP (Free)

If you want native Windows HEVC/HEIF support, install the K-Lite Codec Pack. There are multiple downloads, but most users will want the Standard pack.

You have to be careful during the installation process to make sure it doesn't automatically include unwanted programs. That's why it's best to install the K-Lite Codec Pack through Ninite, which installs the Windows software without the other unnecessary stuff that comes with it.

• Download K-Lite Codec Pack (Free)

If you've tried all of the above methods and still can't open your HEVC/HEIF media files, consider converting them to another format. You can use CloudConvert to quickly convert HEIF images online, or install any of the best Windows video converters for HEVC content.

HEIF/HEVC codecs are essential for saving storage space on your PC without sacrificing image and video quality. Adding support for these files to Windows 11 will help you get the most out of your device's hardware.