Does the registry fix affect other programs?

Yes. Applications that ask Windows for the default JPEG extension receive .jpg once the mapping is changed.

Do I still need to convert old files?

Yes. Existing JFIF files retain their APP0 header and should be converted to avoid MIME mismatches.

Will editing the registry break Windows updates?

Major Windows updates may reset the mapping. Reapply the fix if JFIF reappears.

Can I automate the conversion?

Yes. Use ImageMagick, PowerShell scripts, or browser automation for large archives.

Does the converter preserve metadata?

Yes. EXIF, ICC profiles, and thumbnails remain unchanged after conversion.

Chrome JFIF Download Fix Guide

Why Chrome Saves JPG as JFIF

It’s not your imagination: recent versions of Chrome and Edge on Windows often download JPEG images with the .jfif extension. The culprit is a Windows registry mapping that translates the MIME type image/jpeg to .jfif. Chrome asks Windows which extension to use, Windows answers “JFIF,” and your asset library becomes a mix of formats. This article outlines fast workarounds and permanent fixes.

Typical Symptoms

Images saved from social media or marketing dashboards appear as filename.jfif.
CMS uploads reject the file, even though it opens locally.
Automation scripts or build pipelines fail when encountering unexpected extensions.
Color-managed workflows complain about missing EXIF or ICC data because JFIF uses a different header.

Quick Fix: Use the Online Converter

You can use our online converter to fix the issue. Just drag and drop the JFIF files into the converter and click the "Convert to JPG" button.

Drop any number of files into the converter. The engine runs in WebAssembly inside your browser sandbox, strips the JFIF APP0 segment, preserves EXIF and ICC metadata, recalculates the MIME type as image/jpeg, and presents both individual download JPG file links and a consolidated ZIP archive. No uploads occur—everything remains local to your device.

Open Jjfif-to-jpg.com in Chrome.
Drag in the downloaded JFIF files. Conversion happens locally in the browser.
Download each JPG individually or use the ZIP option for batches. The tool removes the JFIF header and resets the MIME type to image/jpeg.

This method is ideal when you need an immediate fix and can’t modify system settings.

Why Renaming Isn’t Reliable

Renaming .jfif to .jpg works in some viewers, but the APP0 JFIF header remains. Strict platforms and APIs continue to treat the file as JFIF, and the MIME type stays image/jfif. Our documentation recommends structural conversion rather than cosmetic renaming.

Permanent Fix: Adjust the Registry

Backup first. Editing the registry requires care.

Launch regedit and navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\image/jpeg.
Change the Extension value from .jfif to .jpg.
Restart Chrome or reboot Windows.

Future downloads will use the JPG extension. Convert existing JFIF files to avoid lingering MIME issues.

Chrome Flags and Experimental Settings

Some articles suggest toggling Chrome flags to force JPG downloads. In our testing, these flags no longer affect current builds. The registry mapping is the decisive factor. If you manage a fleet of devices, deploy the registry change via Group Policy or an MDM profile.

Recommended Workflow

Step 1: Apply the registry fix on managed Windows machines.
Step 2: Educate teams about the difference between renaming and converting.
Step 3: Use the browser converter for legacy files and batch processing.
Step 4: Update SOPs so asset libraries remain JPG-only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the registry fix affect other programs?: Yes—in a good way. Applications asking Windows for the default JPEG extension will receive .jpg instead of .jfif.
Do I still need to convert old files?: Yes. The fix prevents new JFIF files, but existing ones need conversion to prevent MIME mismatches.
Will editing the registry break Windows updates?: Microsoft occasionally resets mappings during major updates. Reapply the fix if JFIF reappears.
Can I automate the conversion?: Use our converter for manual batches, or integrate ImageMagick/PowerShell scripts for large archives.
Does the converter preserve metadata?: Yes. EXIF, ICC, and thumbnail data stay intact. Only the JFIF header is removed.

Further reading: Windows remediation guide.