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Make Smaller guide

Make a folder of files smaller on Windows

Right-click a folder and choose a Make Smaller profile. Choose whether to include subfolders, then review each file’s result. The output contains successful smaller copies, not a complete backup of the source folder.

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Before you start

  • Make Smaller on Windows 11 24H2 or later, x64, with a full Microsoft Store license or trial access with uses remaining.
  • A small ordinary local folder below the drive root, containing supported files and enough space for outputs.
  • An independent backup for important files.

Using the free trial? Each saved copy at least 1% smaller uses one of your five trial uses. How the free trial works.

Follow these steps

  1. Choose a small test folder

    Use a few sample files and one subfolder. Close apps that are changing them, then select the folder itself in File Explorer.

  2. Start with Preserve quality

    Right-click the folder, open Make Smaller and choose Preserve quality. Balanced and Smallest size can reduce the quality of pictures, audio or video where supported.

  3. Choose whether to include subfolders

    If Include subfolders? appears, choose This folder only for files directly in the chosen folder. Choose Include subfolders to process the folders inside it too.

    Make Smaller asks whether to include subfolders, with File Explorer behind the dialog.
    Choose whether to include the folders inside your selection. Enlarge image.
    1. Include subfolders also processes the folders inside your selection.

  4. Read the batch results

    Check which files have smaller copies, which show No improvement and which were skipped. Read the explanation for any missing output before repeating the batch.

    Make Smaller shows two smaller photo copies after processing a folder and its subfolder with Balanced.
    Open a result to check the smaller copy. Enlarge image.

  5. Find and inspect the copies

    Use Show in folder to open the result folder. It normally sits beside the source with -smaller added to its name. Outputs keep their filenames and subfolder layout; existing names get a number. Open the copies you need and check their Size in Properties.

Check your result

  • The subfolder choice matches what you wanted to process.
  • The source folder remains unchanged and the outputs you need open correctly.
  • You did not mistake the result folder for a complete backup.
If you need more help

The result folder contains successful copies

Files that are unsupported or cannot be reduced enough are not copied into the result. Keep your source folder and normal backup; the smaller copies do not replace them.

A later run can add numbered files to an existing result folder. Use Show in folder on that run to find the copy you just made.

If a folder cannot be processed

Select a folder inside a drive rather than the drive itself. Use files that are available locally, and avoid linked, encrypted or online-only folder trees. For a large selection, try smaller subfolders.

Hide keeps work running; Stop requests cancellation of the current selection. Other waiting selections can continue. Review completed copies and remaining results before starting another selection.

Need the app?

Make Smaller. Check requirements and download options.

Make Smaller on Microsoft Store

Next steps