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Make Smaller guide

Make a folder of files smaller on Windows

Create smaller copies of several files together, choose whether to include subfolders, and find the saved outputs.

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Short answer

Right-click the folder in File Explorer and choose Make Smaller, then a quality profile. If asked, choose This folder only or Include subfolders. Successful copies go into a separate folder, usually named with -smaller. Originals stay in place; skipped or unchanged files may have no copy.

This guide covers Make Smaller. Check requirements and download options before you begin.

Before you start

  • Make Smaller with an active license on Windows 11 24H2 or later, x64.
  • A small ordinary local folder below the drive root, containing supported files and enough space for outputs.
  • An independent backup for important files.

Start here

  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, 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.

  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.

  5. Find and inspect the copies

    A folder named Photos normally produces Photos-smaller beside it. Outputs keep their filenames and subfolder layout; existing names get a number. Use Show in folder to find the actual destination, then 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.

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.

The app used in this guide

Make Smaller

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Related guides

Sources and further reading