How to View WebP Files on Windows

Updated June 2026 · 3 min read

You double-click a .webp file in File Explorer. Nothing happens. Or worse — it opens in your browser when you wanted it in Photos. Here's exactly how to make WebP files viewable on Windows 10 and 11.

Windows 11: It Just Works (Usually)

Windows 11 has built-in WebP support in the Photos app. Double-click any .webp and it should open. If it doesn't, install the "WebP Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store — free, one click. After installing, File Explorer thumbnails and Photos will handle WebP normally.

Windows 10: You Need a Codec

Windows 10 doesn't include WebP support by default. Go to the Microsoft Store, search "WebP Image Extensions" (published by Microsoft), install it. Restart File Explorer (Ctrl+Shift+Esc → right-click Windows Explorer → Restart). Done.

The Universal Fix: Just Use a Browser

Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all open WebP natively. Drag any .webp file into a browser window to view it instantly. But if you actually need to use the image (not just look at it), convert it to PNG — PNG opens in every application ever made.

Third-Party Viewers That Handle WebP