As I understand it, the HEIF file codec should still be available, but for HEIC and HEVC files, their codec was once readily available in Windows via the Microsoft Store but has since been hidden on the store, possibly due to licensing quibbles from Apple. But, it isn't technically taken down from it fully because they are still available via using winget, the official Windows package manager.

You can use the command winget install <appID> in your command prompt, provided you have winget installed on your server or workstation.

AppID's
HEIF file codec: 9pmmsr1cgpwg
HEIC/HEVC file codec: 9n4wgh0z6vhq

I don't know the details surrounding this story inside and out, so if there's any issue with me posting this, feel free to delete or provide further context.

As I understand it, the HEIF file codec should still be available, but for HEIC and HEVC files, their codec was once readily available in Windows via the Microsoft Store but has since been hidden on the store, possibly due to licensing quibbles from Apple. But, it isn't technically taken down from it fully because they are still available via using winget, the official Windows package manager.

You can use the command winget install <appID> in your command prompt, provided you have winget installed on your server or workstation.

AppID's
HEIF file codec: 9pmmsr1cgpwg
HEIC/HEVC file codec: 9n4wgh0z6vhq

I don't know the details surrounding this story inside and out, so if there's any issue with me posting this, feel free to delete or provide further context.