How to obtain free HEVC and HEIC extensions from the Microsoft Store

Hi all -

Wanted a simple way to open my Apple HEIC photos on W10 directly within the Photos App.
So Microsoft wanted me to spend $0.99 to download their extensions, but I like free ones.

There was a package "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" which was free to download on Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store.

However, that version is no longer available. But you can still get it for free. Here's how:

Copy/paste this link into your internet browser:

ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq

Otherwise, open a command prompt, and type/paste:

start ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq

If it asks you to launch your Microsoft store, just open it.

Click the Install button and it will then ask you to enter your Microsoft Account.
Just close that window and it will still continue to install the HEVC video codec free on Windows 10.

Hope this helps!

boombastik said:

It works in windows 11 also.

Ah yes, most certainly.

Just a heads-up to everyone reading this:

Get it while you can, unless you wish to pay $.99 to Microsoft.

Good luck!

Compumind said:

Just a heads-up to everyone reading this:

Get it while you can, unless you wish to pay $.99 to Microsoft.

Good luck!

Don't you know your $0.99 goes to providing soda pop to the kiddies in the Development Team?

How are they supposed to develop emojis if not properly refreshed?

margrave55 said:

What the heck is heic?

High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) is a container format for storing individual images and image sequences, most commonly used by Apple. Without this extension Windows cannot play or open such videos or images from an Apple device.

High Efficiency Image File Format - Wikipedia

To all -

If you have an Apple device take advantage of this procedure while it still works!

Enjoy.

Just a bump to those that haven't seen this thread.

My install button is disabled.

I got it from the free web lol. You can check if it's installed with:

Code:

Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName