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How to Open AVIF Files on Windows 10/11

Published: January 2025 | Last Updated: January 2025 | Reading Time: 9 minutes

How to open AVIF files on Windows 10 and Windows 11 - Complete guide

Opening AVIF image files on Windows 10 and 11

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) delivers superior compression and image quality compared to JPEG and PNG, but Windows doesn't support it natively by default. This guide shows you exactly how to open AVIF files on Windows 10 and 11 using four proven methods, from the simplest browser-based approach to advanced codec installation.

Why Windows Can't Open AVIF Files by Default

Windows 10 and 11 lack built-in AVIF support because the format is relatively new (standardized in 2019). The operating system requires specific AV1 image codecs to decode AVIF files, which aren't pre-installed on most Windows systems. Microsoft has started adding AVIF support through optional extensions, but it's not automatic.

What Makes AVIF Special?

AVIF offers significant advantages over traditional formats:

50% smaller file sizes than JPEG at equivalent quality
Supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) for better color depth
Includes transparency like PNG but with better compression
Both lossy and lossless compression options
Free and royalty-free (no licensing fees)

Method 1: Open AVIF Files in Your Web Browser (Fastest)

Best for: Quick viewing without installing anything

Modern web browsers have native AVIF support built-in, making this the fastest solution for most users.

Supported Browsers

Browser	Minimum Version	AVIF Support
Google Chrome	Version 85+	✓ Full Support
Microsoft Edge	Version 85+	✓ Full Support
Firefox	Version 93+	✓ Full Support
Opera	Version 71+	✓ Full Support

1 Right-click the AVIF file you want to open

2 Select "Open with" from the context menu

3 Choose your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Opera)

4 The image opens in a new browser tab with full zoom and save capabilities

Pro Tip: To set your browser as the default viewer for AVIF files, select "Open with" → "Choose another app" → select your browser → check "Always use this app to open .avif files" → click OK.

Method 2: Install Microsoft's AV1 Video Extension (Recommended for Windows Photos)

Best for: Native Windows integration and Photos app support

Microsoft provides an official codec extension that enables AVIF viewing in Windows Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and other Windows apps. This is the most integrated solution for Windows users.

Installation Process

1 Open Microsoft Store (press Windows key, type "Microsoft Store")

2 Search for "AV1 Video Extension" in the store search bar

3 Verify the publisher shows "Microsoft Corporation"

4 Click "Get" or "Install" (it's free)

5 Wait for installation to complete (usually 1-2 minutes)

6 Restart your computer to register the codec system-wide

7 Test by double-clicking an AVIF file—it should now open in Photos

Important: The extension requires Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update) or later. Check your Windows version by pressing Windows+R, typing "winver", and pressing Enter. If you're on an older version, update Windows first.

What This Extension Enables

Windows Photos App Open AVIF files directly with double-click functionality

File Explorer Thumbnails See preview thumbnails of AVIF files in folder views

Paint and Paint 3D Import and edit AVIF images (with some quality limitations)

System-Wide Compatibility Any Windows app using system codecs can now read AVIF

Method 3: Use Professional Third-Party Image Viewers

Best for: Power users who need advanced features and batch processing

Several established image viewers offer excellent AVIF support along with professional features like batch conversion, metadata editing, and advanced color management.

Top AVIF-Compatible Image Viewers

IrfanView (Lightweight & Fast)

Setup: Download IrfanView, then install the "IrfanView Plugins" package which includes AVIF support.

Key Features:

Extremely fast loading times, even for large files
Batch conversion to/from AVIF, JPEG, PNG, WebP
Basic editing tools (crop, resize, color correction)
Shell extension for thumbnail previews in Explorer
Free for non-commercial use

Best for: Users who want speed and simplicity without heavy software.

XnView MP (Feature-Rich)

Setup: Download and install—AVIF support is built-in, no plugins needed.

Key Features:

Native AVIF support without additional downloads
Supports over 500 image formats
Advanced image organization and tagging
EXIF/IPTC metadata viewing and editing
Compare images side-by-side
Free for personal and educational use

Best for: Photographers and designers managing large image libraries.

ImageGlass (Modern & Minimalist)

Setup: Download from Microsoft Store or official website—AVIF supported out of the box.

Key Features:

Clean, modern Windows 11-style interface
Hardware-accelerated rendering for smooth performance
Supports AVIF, WebP, HEIC, and 80+ formats
Customizable keyboard shortcuts
Open source and completely free

Best for: Users who want a beautiful, modern interface with AVIF support.

Method 4: Convert AVIF to Common Formats

Best for: Sharing files or working with software that doesn't support AVIF

If you need to share AVIF files with others or use them in programs without AVIF support, converting to JPEG or PNG ensures universal compatibility. This approach trades some file size efficiency for broader compatibility.

Desktop Conversion Options

Using IrfanView: Open the AVIF file, press Ctrl+S to save, select your desired format (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency), and adjust quality settings before saving.

Using XnView MP: Right-click AVIF files, select "Batch Convert", choose output format and quality, then process. Great for converting multiple files simultaneously.

Online Conversion (No Installation Required)

Browser-based converters process AVIF files locally in your browser without uploading to servers, ensuring privacy. Look for converters that explicitly state "client-side processing" or "no upload required."

Choosing the Right Output Format

Convert to JPEG: For photographs and images without transparency. Use 85-95% quality for best results.
Convert to PNG: For graphics, screenshots, logos, or any image requiring transparency. Creates larger files but preserves quality perfectly.
Convert to WebP: For web use when AVIF isn't supported. Offers better compression than JPEG with wider browser support than AVIF.

Troubleshooting Common AVIF Issues on Windows

Problem: AVIF Files Show as Blank Icons

Cause: Windows lacks the codec to generate thumbnails.

Solution: Install the AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft Store (Method 2) and restart your computer. File Explorer thumbnails should appear after restart.

Problem: Photos App Shows "Can't Open This File" Error

Cause: Missing AV1 codec or corrupted extension installation.

Solution: Open Microsoft Store, search for "AV1 Video Extension", and click "Update" if available. If no update exists, uninstall and reinstall the extension, then restart Windows.

Problem: AVIF Images Look Pixelated or Low Quality

Cause: The viewer doesn't fully support AVIF's advanced features, or the original file uses aggressive compression.

Solution: Try opening the same file in Chrome or Edge browser to verify if it's a viewer issue. If the image looks better in the browser, switch to a more capable viewer like XnView MP or ImageGlass. If it looks poor everywhere, the original file may have been over-compressed.

Problem: Slow Performance When Opening AVIF Files

Cause: AVIF decoding is computationally intensive, especially on older hardware.

Solution: Close unnecessary programs to free up CPU resources. Consider converting frequently-accessed AVIF files to JPEG or PNG for faster opening. For best performance, use hardware-accelerated viewers like ImageGlass or modern browsers with GPU acceleration enabled.

Problem: Can't Set AVIF as Default File Association

Cause: Windows doesn't recognize the .avif extension after codec installation.

Solution: Right-click an AVIF file → Properties → Click "Change" next to "Opens with" → Select your preferred app → Check "Always use this app" → Click OK. If this doesn't work, restart Windows to refresh file associations.

Comparing All Four Methods

Method	Setup Time	Best For	Limitations
Web Browser	0 minutes (instant)	Quick viewing, no installation	No thumbnail previews, files open in browser tab
AV1 Extension	5 minutes	Native Windows integration	Requires Windows 10 1809+ or Windows 11
Third-Party Viewers	5-10 minutes	Advanced features, batch processing	Requires downloading external software
Format Conversion	Varies	Universal compatibility	Loses AVIF's compression benefits, creates new files

Which Method Should You Choose?

Your best option depends on how frequently you work with AVIF files:

Occasional Viewing (Once a month or less) Use Method 1 (web browser). It's instant, requires no setup, and works perfectly for quick viewing.

Regular Use (Weekly) Install the AV1 Video Extension (Method 2). This gives you native Windows support with minimal setup time, making AVIF files work like any other image format.

Professional/Power User (Daily) Install a third-party viewer (Method 3) like XnView MP or IrfanView. The advanced features—batch processing, metadata editing, format conversion—justify the additional software.

Sharing with Others Convert to JPEG or PNG (Method 4). This ensures recipients can open your files without any special software, though you'll lose AVIF's compression advantages.

The Future of AVIF on Windows

Microsoft is gradually expanding AVIF support in Windows. Recent updates to Windows 11 have improved codec performance and reliability. Future Windows versions will likely include:

Pre-installed AVIF codecs (no separate extension needed)
Native support in Paint and other built-in apps
Faster hardware-accelerated decoding using modern GPUs
Better File Explorer integration with instant thumbnails

Until these improvements roll out widely, the methods in this guide provide reliable ways to work with AVIF files on any Windows 10 or 11 system.

Final Recommendations

For most Windows users, we recommend combining two approaches:

Install the AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft Store for everyday AVIF viewing in Windows Photos and File Explorer thumbnails
Keep Chrome or Edge updated as a backup viewer for immediate access without opening dedicated software

This combination covers 95% of AVIF viewing scenarios with minimal setup and maximum convenience. If you regularly edit images or need batch processing, add a third-party viewer like XnView MP to your toolkit.

Need to Convert AVIF Files?

Our free online converter processes AVIF files directly in your browser—no uploads, no software installation, complete privacy. Convert AVIF to JPEG, PNG, WebP, or GIF in seconds.

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