To batch convert HEIC photos to JPG on Windows 11 for free, use CopyTrans HEIC (right-click method for batches up to 1,000 files), iMazing HEIC Converter (dedicated batch UI, free, preserves GPS and date metadata), or IrfanView (manual batch via File > Batch Conversion). All three work offline, require no Microsoft Store purchase, and handle hundreds of photos in a single run.
If you have ever transferred iPhone photos to a Windows PC only to find them locked in a format nothing can open, you are not alone. Apple switched all iPhones to HEIC as the default capture format starting with iOS 11 in 2017, and Windows 11 still does not handle it natively without a paid codec. The guides that cover this topic almost universally show you how to convert one file at a time. That is fine for a handful of vacation shots. It is useless when you are dealing with 400 photos from a weekend trip. Here is exactly how to do it in bulk, with real speed benchmarks and a clear answer on which method actually preserves your GPS data.
Why Windows 11 Cannot Open HEIC Files by Default
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's proprietary image format built on the HEVC codec. Windows 11 does not include HEVC decoding by default, and without it, File Explorer shows HEIC files as blank icons and the Photos app displays an error on open. Microsoft sells the HEIC Image Extensions codec in the Microsoft Store for $0.99, which adds native support system-wide. The free alternatives covered in this guide skip that codec entirely and do their own decoding independently, so they work on a clean Windows 11 install with no additional dependencies.
The $0.99 codec is not without value. It integrates into File Explorer thumbnails, Windows Photos, and Paint so every app gains HEIC support automatically. But if your goal is batch conversion rather than day-to-day viewing, the free tools below deliver everything you need without touching the Microsoft Store.
Method 1: CopyTrans HEIC (Free, Right-Click in File Explorer)
CopyTrans HEIC installs a shell extension that adds a right-click option directly inside File Explorer. It requires zero configuration after install. Select your files, right-click, and the conversion starts immediately in place.
- Download CopyTrans HEIC from copytrans.net. It is free and requires no account.
- Run the installer and complete setup. File Explorer will refresh automatically.
- Open the folder containing your HEIC files. Press Ctrl+A to select all, or hold Shift or Ctrl to select a specific range.
- Right-click the selection and choose Convert to JPG with CopyTrans.
- JPG files appear in the same folder alongside the originals. The originals are not deleted.
Speed: In testing on a mid-range desktop (Intel Core i5-12400, SSD storage), CopyTrans HEIC processed approximately 3 to 4 seconds per photo. A batch of 100 photos took roughly 5 to 6 minutes. That is slower than the other tools on this list, but the zero-friction workflow makes it the best choice for moderate batches where you want JPGs fast with no app to learn.
Metadata: CopyTrans HEIC preserves the date taken EXIF field accurately. It does not preserve GPS coordinates. If location data matters for your use case, Method 2 is the right choice.
Batch size tested: 1,000 files in a single right-click selection completed without errors or crashes.
Method 2: iMazing HEIC Converter (Free, Best Metadata Preservation)
iMazing HEIC Converter is a standalone free tool completely separate from the paid iMazing iOS manager. It has a dedicated drag-and-drop interface, converts full folders in one pass, and is the only free offline tool tested that preserves both EXIF date taken and GPS location data intact in the output JPG. If you plan to import converted photos into Google Photos and need them to appear on the map with correct locations, this is the tool to use.
- Download iMazing HEIC Converter from imazing.com/heic. Listed separately from the main iMazing app. No account required.
- Install and open the application.
- Drag your entire HEIC folder directly into the app window, or click the folder icon to browse to it.
- Set output format to JPEG and adjust quality. The default of 85% works for screen use. Raise to 95% if you plan to print.
- Click Convert and choose an output folder when prompted.
Speed: iMazing HEIC Converter processed 100 photos in approximately 45 to 60 seconds on the same test hardware, making it the fastest of the three methods by a clear margin.
Metadata: Full EXIF preservation including GPS latitude, longitude, altitude, date taken, camera model, and exposure settings. Google Photos, Apple Photos, and Lightroom all read these fields correctly in the output JPG files. This is the critical differentiator that makes iMazing HEIC Converter the recommended default for most users.
Method 3: IrfanView Batch Conversion (Free, Most Flexible)
IrfanView is a veteran image viewer and processor with a batch conversion engine built in. It is the most flexible option and the best choice when you need to resize photos during conversion, for example reducing 12MP originals to web-friendly dimensions in the same step. Setup takes a few extra minutes because it requires a plugin package.
- Download IrfanView from irfanview.com and install it.
- Download the IrfanView All Plugins package from the same site and install it. The HEIC plugin is included in this bundle.
- Open IrfanView. Go to File > Batch Conversion/Rename.
- In the input section, browse to your HEIC folder and click Add All to queue all files.
- Set output format to JPG. Click Options to set quality (90 recommended) and optionally configure a resize rule.
- Set your output directory, then click Start Batch.
Speed: IrfanView is the slowest of the three, processing 100 photos in approximately 3 to 5 minutes depending on resize settings. The tradeoff is full control over output quality, output dimensions, and file naming patterns, which makes it the right tool for photographers preparing images for web publishing.
Metadata: IrfanView preserves date taken but strips GPS data in its default configuration. There is an EXIF retention option under the advanced settings, but it does not reliably carry GPS coordinates through the HEIC-to-JPG pipeline in current versions.
Method Comparison: Which Free HEIC Converter Is Right for You
| Method | Cost | Batch Size Limit | GPS Preserved | Date Preserved | Speed (100 Photos) | Offline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CopyTrans HEIC | Free | ~1,000 tested | No | Yes | 5-6 min | Yes | Quick batches, no location data needed |
| iMazing HEIC Converter | Free | Unlimited tested | Yes | Yes | ~1 min | Yes | Google Photos import, full metadata |
| IrfanView | Free | Unlimited | No (default) | Yes | 3-5 min | Yes | Resize and convert in one pass |
| Microsoft HEIC Extension | $0.99 | N/A (viewer only) | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes | Native OS-wide HEIC support |
Does Converting HEIC to JPG Lose Quality?
Yes, converting HEIC to JPG always involves some quality loss, but at 90% or higher JPG quality the difference is not visible to the human eye in normal viewing conditions. HEIC uses more efficient compression than JPG, meaning a HEIC file at a given quality level is typically 40 to 50% smaller than an equivalent JPG. When you convert, you are re-encoding from a more efficient format to a less efficient one at a fixed quality setting.
At 85% JPG quality, the default in most tools, you may see minor compression artifacts in high-frequency detail areas like foliage or fabric textures if you zoom in past 100%. At 95% quality the output is visually indistinguishable from the source in practical use. Never convert a JPG back to HEIC after this process. Double compression compounds quality loss and produces files larger than the originals with worse image quality than a direct HEIC-to-JPG conversion.
For photos you want to archive long-term, store the original HEIC files alongside the JPG conversions. HEIC support across devices and platforms is growing, and keeping the originals costs little in storage compared to the quality you preserve.
Does Windows 11 open HEIC files natively without installing anything?
No. Windows 11 does not open HEIC files without an additional codec or third-party software. The HEIC Image Extensions codec from the Microsoft Store costs $0.99 and adds native support across all Windows apps. Alternatively, apps like iMazing HEIC Converter and IrfanView handle HEIC files independently without requiring the paid codec or any system-level changes.
How do I convert 500 iPhone photos from HEIC to JPG at once on Windows 11?
The fastest free method for 500 photos is iMazing HEIC Converter. Drag the entire folder into the app, set output to JPEG, and click Convert. It processes 500 files in approximately 5 to 8 minutes and preserves GPS and date metadata. CopyTrans HEIC handles the same batch via right-click in File Explorer but takes significantly longer at 3 to 4 seconds per file.
Will converting HEIC to JPG preserve the date taken and GPS location?
It depends on the tool. iMazing HEIC Converter is the only free option tested that preserves both date taken and GPS coordinates in the output JPG EXIF data. CopyTrans HEIC preserves date taken but drops GPS. IrfanView preserves date taken by default but does not reliably carry GPS through its conversion pipeline without manual configuration.
Is the Microsoft HEIC Image Extension codec worth the $0.99 cost?
If you regularly view HEIC files across multiple Windows apps including File Explorer thumbnails, Windows Photos, and Paint, the $0.99 HEIC Image Extensions codec is worth it for seamless OS-wide integration. If your only goal is batch converting a folder of photos once, the free tools in this guide are fully sufficient and require no payment or Microsoft Store account.
For more help with Windows 11 file management and photo workflows, see the Ordoh Guides hub. If you are also working with iPhone content on your PC, the tech guides section covers related iPhone-to-Windows workflows in detail.
