How to Add JPEG XL Support in Windows 11

Use the Microsoft Store

Windows installs the extension for you and updates it later with your other Store apps. There are no manual files and no command lines. It works on both Home and Pro, but you need to be signed in to Windows with internet access, and the Store must not be blocked by your organization.

1. Open the JPEG XL Image Extension page in your browser.
2. Click View in Store. If your browser asks to open the Microsoft Store app, confirm. The Store opens on the JPEG XL Image Extension page.
3. Click Get. You should see a progress bar while the extension downloads and installs.
4. Wait until the button changes to show the extension is installed. It is a small download and usually takes under a minute.

You can also open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu ⊞, search for JPEG XL Image Extension, and click Get there. Check that the publisher is Microsoft Corporation before you install.

The standalone .EXE installer is an alternative if you can’t use the Store, for example on a locked-down PC or one with the Store disabled. Use this link to get it: PEG XL Image Extension

1. Download the ⬇️ .EXE file from the link above.
2. Double-click the downloaded file to start the installer.
3. If User Account Control asks for permission, click Yes. This needs an administrator account.
4. Follow the prompts until the installer reports that it has finished.

Installers from unknown sites are a common way to pick up unwanted software.

Use the winget command

The command line route takes one command in Windows Terminal. It installs the same Microsoft Store extension, using the package ID 9mzprth5c0tb. It suits you if you set up several PCs or prefer to skip the Store window. It relies on the winget package manager, which comes with current Windows 11 builds.

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal. A normal, non-elevated window is fine for this package.
2. Paste the command below into the Windows Terminal window. The command is winget install 9mzprth5c0tb.
3. Press Enter. If winget asks you to accept source agreements, type Y and press Enter.
4. Wait while winget downloads and installs the package. You should see progress text, then a message that the install succeeded.

winget install 9mzprth5c0tb

The installation finishes automatically, and you do not need to restart the 🔄 PC.

To check that it worked, find a .jxl file in File Explorer 📁 and double-click it. It should open in the Photos app. If thumbnails still show a blank icon, close and reopen the File Explorer window. If that does not help, sign out and back in, or restart Windows, so the new image codec loads everywhere.

To undo the change, go to Settings › Apps › Installed apps, find JPEG XL Image Extension, click the three-dot menu next to it, and choose Uninstall. Your .jxl files stay on disk, but Windows can no longer display them.

Adding JPEG XL support gives your PC native tools to handle these high-quality image files. Either method enables the feature within a few moments. Key takeaways:

• JPEG XL offers superior compression and high-quality images compared to traditional JPEG formats.
• Windows 11 does not natively support JPEG XL; an extension is required for viewing.
• You can install the JPEG XL Image Extension through the Microsoft Store or the winget command in the Windows Terminal.
• Once installed, you can efficiently decode and view JPEG XL images directly in File Explorer.

Completing these steps gives you smaller files and better image quality on supported displays.