Windows Imaging Component provides an extensible architecture for image codecs, pixel formats, and metadata, with automatic run-time discovery of new formats. By writing a codec once for WIC, developers can get system-wide support for that graphics file format in all applications that use WIC. WIC enables application developers to perform image processing operations on any image format through a single set of common APIs, without requiring prior knowledge of specific image formats. Codecs for RAW image formats used by high-end professional digital cameras are also supported in this manner. Additionally, Windows Presentation Foundation applications also automatically support the installed image codecs. It is similar to DirectShow, or ACM/ VCM, in that it can be extended using image codecs and can support third-party graphics formats on a system-wide basis.
It allows applications supporting the framework to automatically get support of installed codecs for graphics file formats. The Windows Imaging Component (WIC) is a Component Object Model based imaging codec framework introduced in Windows Vista and Windows XP Service Pack 3 for working with and processing digital images and image metadata.