7 Ways to Open WebP Files in Windows 11/10

WebP has become one of the most widely used image formats on the web. Many websites, including Google, social media platforms, and online stores, use WebP images because they provide excellent image quality while taking up much less storage space than JPEG or PNG files.

If you’ve downloaded an image from the internet and noticed it has a .webp extension, you might wonder how to open it on your Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows 11 and recent versions of Windows 10 support WebP files natively, and there are several easy ways to view, edit, or convert them.

In this guide, you’ll learn 7 simple methods to open WebP files in Windows 11 and Windows 10, along with troubleshooting tips if the file won’t open.

What Is a WebP File?

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google in 2010. It reduces image file size by 25–35% compared to JPEG while maintaining similar visual quality. It also supports transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF), making it a favorite for web developers aiming to speed up page load times.

Despite its advantages, WebP support on Windows isn’t always seamless—especially with older software or default settings. Here are seven ways to handle WebP files on Windows 10 and 11.

Advantages of WebP

• Smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG
• Faster website loading
• Supports transparency like PNG
• Supports animation similar to GIF
• High image quality with compression
• Widely supported by modern browsers

Why Won’t a WebP File Open?

If your WebP image doesn’t open, one of these issues may be the cause:

• Outdated Windows version
• Photos app isn’t updated
• File association is incorrect
• Corrupted download
• Unsupported image viewer
• Damaged WebP file

Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to fix using the methods below.

Method 1: Use the Built-in Windows Photos App

On updated versions of Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and Windows 11, the Photos app supports WebP natively. Simply double-click the file, and it should open.

If it doesn’t:

• Right-click the WebP file.

• Select Open with → Photos.

• If Photos isn’t listed, click Choose another app and select it from the list.

Tip: If Photos opens but you want to save the image in a more common format, click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner, select Save as, and choose JPEG or PNG.

Method 2: Open WebP in a Web Browser (Zero-Install)

Since WebP was built for the web, every modern browser—Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera—supports it perfectly. This is the quickest, most reliable way to view a WebP file without installing extra software.

Steps:

• Drag and drop the WebP file into an open browser window, or

• Right-click the file → Open with → choose your browser.

Browsers also offer basic viewing controls, and you can right-click the image to save it as PNG or JPEG.

Method 3: Use Microsoft Paint to View and Convert

Paint has been a Windows staple for decades, and on Windows 10/11, it supports WebP files directly.

Steps to open and convert:

1. Right-click the WebP file → Open with → Paint.

2. View or edit the image as needed.

3. To convert, go to File → Save as → choose JPEG picture or PNG picture.

This method works well for single files but doesn’t support batch processing.

Method 4: Install a WebP Viewer from the Microsoft Store

If you frequently work with WebP files and want seamless integration with File Explorer thumbnails and apps, install the WebP Image Extension (free, by Google) from the Microsoft Store. This extension adds native WebP support to Windows’ Photos app and other built-in viewers.

Method 5: Use PowerToys Peek for Quick Previews

Microsoft PowerToys is a free utility suite that includes Peek—a feature that lets you preview files without opening them fully. Version 0.80 and later added WebP support.

How to use it:

1. Install PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store.

2. Select a WebP file in File Explorer.

3. Press Ctrl + Space to preview the image instantly in a pop-up window.

This is ideal for quickly checking multiple WebP images without opening each one.

Method 6: Use Third-Party Image Viewers

Several free, lightweight third-party viewers offer extensive WebP support along with batch conversion features. Two excellent options:

Both are free and can handle WebP files with thumbnails and quick navigation.

Method 7: Convert WebP to JPG/PNG Using Command Line Tools

For tech-savvy users who need to process many files, Google’s official WebP utilities offer a command-line solution.

Using dwebp (WebP decoder):

1. Download the precompiled WebP utilities from Google’s repository (libwebp package).

2. Extract the ZIP folder to a location like C:\webp.

3. Open Command Prompt and navigate to that folder, or add it to your PATH.

4. Run: dwebp input.webp -o output.png

5. To convert JPEG to WebP, use: cwebp input.jpg -o output.webp

This method supports batch processing through simple scripts and gives you full control over quality settings.

How to Fix WebP Files That Won’t Open

1. Update Windows

Older versions of Windows 10 may lack full WebP support.

• Open Settings
• Go to Windows Update
• Install available updates

2. Update the Photos App

Open Microsoft Store.

Go to:

Library → Get Updates

Install the latest version of Photos.

3. Verify the File Isn’t Corrupted

Try opening another WebP image.

If only one file fails, it may have been downloaded incorrectly.

Download it again.

4. Try Another Browser

If Photos fails try using these mainstream browsers:

• Edge
• Chrome
• Firefox

These browsers almost always open WebP images successfully.

5. Check the File Extension

Ensure the file ends with:

.webp

If not, it may have been renamed incorrectly.

6. Use Another Image Viewer

If Photos cannot read the image, try:

• IrfanView
• ImageGlass
• XnView
• FastStone

7. Repair the Photos App

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed Apps.
3. Find Microsoft Photos.
4. Click Advanced Options.
5. Choose Repair.
6. If necessary, click Reset.

FAQs

Q1: Can Windows 10 open WebP files natively?

Yes—Windows 10 version 1809 and later can open WebP files in the Photos app. Older versions may need a third-party viewer or codec.

Q2: Why won’t my WebP file open in Paint?

Paint supports WebP on Windows 10 and 11. If it doesn’t open, ensure your Windows is updated. If the issue persists, try opening the file in a browser or converting it using an online tool.

Q3: How do I convert WebP to JPG without losing quality?

Use Paint or Photos (Save as → JPEG). For batch conversion, use dwebp or third-party tools like XnConvert. Note that JPEG is lossy, so some quality loss is inevitable.

Q4: Is WebP better than JPEG?

WebP offers smaller file sizes with similar or better quality, making it great for web use. However, JPEG is more widely supported in older applications and hardware.

Q5: How can I open WebP files in older software that doesn’t support them?

Convert the WebP file to PNG or JPEG using any of the methods above, then open it in your legacy software.

Q6: Are there any online tools to open WebP files?

Yes—but for privacy and file size reasons, offline methods (browser, Paint, or viewers) are generally safer and faster.

Q7: How do I make WebP files open by default in a specific app?

Right-click a WebP file → Open with → Choose another app → select your preferred app → check Always use this app to open .webp files → click OK.

Conclusion

Opening WebP files on Windows 11 and 10 is straightforward. For occasional viewing, use your browser or Photos. For frequent use, install a dedicated viewer like ImageGlass or PowerToys. For conversion, Paint works for single files, while command-line tools or batch converters handle larger workloads.

With these seven methods, you’ll never be stuck with an unopenable WebP file again.