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Short answer
Select a supported file in File Explorer, right-click, choose Make Smaller and select Preserve quality. If the app finds a worthwhile reduction and verifies the result, it saves a separate smaller copy. Your original remains in place.
Before you start
- Make Smaller 1.0.0 with an active Microsoft Store license on Windows 11 24H2 or later, x64.
- A supported sample file available locally, a writable output location and enough free space for processing.
Start here
Choose one sample
Finish editing the file and close apps that are writing to it. In File Explorer, select the original you want to try. Start with one file so its result is easy to inspect.
Use the right-click menu
Right-click the selection, open Make Smaller and choose Preserve quality. The profile starts the operation; there is no Add files workspace or separate target-MB field.
Wait for the result
Let Making smaller and Checking result finish. If Choose an output folder appears, select a writable local folder. A result of No improvement means no smaller copy was saved.
Find the saved copy
Use Show in folder on a successful result. Individually selected files normally keep the original extension and add - smaller to the name. Balanced and Smallest size use - smaller - balanced and - smaller - smallest. Existing names receive a number instead of being overwritten.
Check before sharing
Open the output in its normal app and compare it with the original. Check the actual file size against the receiver's limit, then share the inspected copy.
Check your result
- The original still exists and opens normally.
- The reported output is smaller, has the expected format and opens correctly.
- The selected output meets the receiving service's limit; no exact final size was assumed.
No new file can be a normal result
Already compact files may not shrink enough. Read the result before trying a different profile; a supported extension does not mean every file with that extension can be processed.
Creating an additional smaller copy uses more storage while the original remains. The reported size reduction compares the two files; it does not mean the same amount of disk space has been freed.
Hide or stop the operation
During processing, Hide puts the panel away while work continues. Use its system-tray icon to return. Stop requests cancellation of the current selection; copies that already finished remain available and other waiting selections can continue.
If the Explorer action is missing, check that the Store installation has completed and reopen File Explorer. If the app reports a license problem, follow Check license or Open Microsoft Store before selecting your files again.
Make Smaller
View app detailsRelated guides
- Choose a Make Smaller Quality Profile
- Understand Make Smaller Results and Skipped Files
- Make Smaller Copies from a Folder on Windows