The HEVC video extension is required to display this file

iPhones and some cameras save photos and image files in .HEIC file format (High Efficiency Image Format)

Windows 10 changed the way codecs work for the photos app and monetised some of the codecs, possibly due to licensing costs of supporting those codec standards.

If you don't have the relevant codecs installed you may see an error message like below.

"The HEVC Video Extension is required to display this file. Download and install it now." error message

 

For this error you need to install the HEIF Image Codecs and the HEVC Video codecs, images in .HEIC wont load without both, the codec for this usually have a cost however the following steps may help you to get the relevant codecs for free.

How to open HEIC files in the Windows 10 Photos app

If you get the error listed above when opening .heic filetypes, the instructions below should help resolve the issue.

1. Ensure that you have HEIF Image Extensions installed at the following Microsoft store link: HEIF Image Extensions - Microsoft Store
2. Try to install HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store, usually this has a cost but you can try to see if you are eligible for the OEM version at the following link: HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer - Microsoft Store
   
3. Click on "Get in Store App"
   
4. Click on the "Open in Microsoft Store" button if prompted, then click on "Install"
   
5. This should install the relevant codecs to decode HEVC, HEIF video and image formats, if the button text changes to "open" then you have successfully installed the codecs.
6. Try opening you .heic photos or playing your HEVC encoded videos and they should load correctly.