How to Add Support for JPEG XL in Windows 11 to Open JXL Files

You can now enable native support for JPEG XL on Windows 11 to open JXL files. The appropriate extension is available in the Store for Windows 11, version 24H2. JPEG XL is a modern, open-source image format designed to provide high-quality compression for both photographs and graphics.

Developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), the creators of the widely used JPEG format, JPEG XL aims to replace older formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF with a more efficient and versatile solution.

JPEG XL delivers superior compression efficiency, reducing file sizes by up to 20-50% compared to traditional JPEG without sacrificing visual quality, while supporting both lossy and lossless compression for versatile use cases. It provides backward compatibility through a "recoding" feature that converts existing JPEG files into JPEG XL while remaining accessible to devices that only support JPEG. Optimized for modern displays, it handles photos, graphics, animations, and transparent images with support for high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut.

JPEG XL performs smoothly even on devices with limited processing power thanks to fast decoder. Additionally, it includes advanced features like progressive decoding, animation support, and alpha transparency.

JPEG XL images usually have the jxl file extension.

By default, Windows 11 doesn't support for JPEG XL (unless you are using a third-party solution or codec). But things have changes with release of a special extension in the Microsoft Store. After installing it, all inbox apps, including Photos, will be able to handle the files in this modern format. This is especially convenient for users in restricted environments where the list of allowed apps is controlled and limited.

Enable JPEG XL Support in Windows 11

1. Open the Edge browser or any other browser of your choice.
2. Navigate to this link: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mzprth5c0tb.
3. Click either the blue Download button, or the small Store button next to it.
   1. In the first case, you'll get an installer that you can run like a traditional app installer.
   2. In the second case, the Store app will open, where you can click the "Get" button.
4. Run the install and wait for it to finish its job. After a few seconds, you will have the JPEG XL support in Windows 11.
5. Close the Photos app if you have it running, and then run it again. Open a jxl file in the app, so now it renders it properly!

That's it.

If getting the extension from the Store or via a web browser is not your way for a reason, then you can go with winget by running it in Terminal.

Install JPEG XL with winget from Terminal

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Select Terminal from the menu.
3. In either PowerShell or Command Prompt tab of Terminal, type winget install --id 9mzprth5c0tb -s msstore, and press Enter.
4. Accept the license and continue installing the JPEG XL extension by pressing Y and then Enter.
5. Wait for winget to finish setting up and Windows 11 now supports Jpeg XL.

That's it.

Finally, everything above may not work for you if you are using some edition of Windows 11 which doesn't support the Store. As a last resort, you can go with a third-party service. The well-known RG-AdGuard service allows fetching MS Store packages right from the Microsoft's servers. It offers direct links to the APPX files, so you can install them on-demand even when you are not connected to the Internet.

Install JPEG XL Extension from APPX

Follow this step-by-step guide to easily download and install the JPEG XL Image Extension on your system from an APPX file.

1. Visit the Adguard Webpage that allows you to access Microsoft Store packages directly.
2. On the Adguard webpage, select "ProductID" from the drop-down list next to the text field.
3. Paste 9mzprth5c0tb into the text box.
4. Leave all other settings (URL and RP) as they are—no changes are needed.
5. Click the checkmark button next to the text field. Adguard will process the request and display a list of available downloads for the specified application.
6. From the list of files, locate and click the following link to download the installer: Microsoft.JPEG-XLImageExtension_1.2.25.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundle. Note that the version in the file name may increase over time.
7. Double-click on the downloaded file to start the installation.

If double-click does nothing for you (e.g. MS Store is missing in your Windows), follow the guide below.

Installing the JPEG XL extension without Microsoft Store

Follow these simple steps to install an .appxbundle file using the Add-AppxPackage command in PowerShell:

1. Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin).
2. Navigate to the .appxbundle file location using the cd command to change the directory. For example: cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads
3. Execute the following command to install the .appxbundle file: Add-AppxPackage -Path .\Microsoft.JPEG-XLImageExtension_1.2.25.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundle. Provide the correct file name of your appxbundle file.
4. PowerShell will process the file and install the app. If successful, no output will be displayed, but errors (if any) will appear in the terminal.
5. Once completed, you can check installed apps via Settings > Apps > Installed Apps. There in the list, you must see the JPEG XL extension entry.

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed the .appxbundle file using PowerShell.

Finally, if at some point you find the added JXL support useless, you can uninstall the extension from Settings. Here's how.

Uninstall the JXL support extension

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Installed Apps: In the left-hand menu, click on Apps . Then, select Installed apps from the main pane.
3. Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the Search bar at the top to locate the JPEG XL app.
4. Click on the three vertical dots button to see options like Move , Modify , and Uninstall .
5. Click the Uninstall option. A confirmation prompt may appear - click Uninstall again to proceed.
6. After the process is complete, the extension will no longer appear in the list of installed apps.

That's it.

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