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Short answer
Smaller copy means a checked output was saved. No improvement means no extra copy was created. For Unsupported, Failed, Source changed or Stopped, read the file's explanation. Use Show in folder to find saved copies and Try again, when offered, after fixing the problem.
This guide covers Make Smaller. Check requirements and download options before you begin.
Before you start
- A Make Smaller operation or a recent result to review.
- Access to the source and output locations; files may have moved since the operation.
Start here
Read the per-file result
Inspect the file rows and explanations in the completed result; scroll the list or enlarge the panel if needed. To return later, open Make Smaller and use View last result to see available recent results.
Find successful copies
Choose Show in folder for a Smaller copy result and open the file. If it has moved or been removed, the recorded location may no longer be usable; the history entry is not a backup.
Understand No improvement
The file may already be compact, be too small for a useful saving, or need its current quality kept. Read any displayed size or saving. Try another profile from the original only if you can accept its quality changes.
This sample document was too small to reduce by the required amount. No smaller copy was saved. Fix the reported problem
For Source changed, finish editing in other apps. For access problems, close apps using the file and check that you can read it and save to the output folder. For low space, check both the system and destination drives. Keep damaged or unsupported originals; if suitable, try a fresh export from the original app instead.
Retry deliberately
Use Try again where it is offered after fixing the cause, or select the source again in File Explorer. After an interruption, review any recovery explanation first; work that did not finish is not automatically retried.
Check your result
- Each output you need has a successful result and opens correctly.
- No improvement and skipped files were not counted as new copies.
- Any retry addresses the stated cause and keeps the original available.
Recent results and Clear history
The app keeps up to 10 completed result records for up to 30 days. They can include source and output locations. View last result opens the available history; Hide results returns from that view.
Clear history removes the displayed completed records. It does not delete your originals, smaller copies or recovery records. Save any details you need before clearing them.
Stopped work and verification failures
Hide leaves processing running. Stop requests cancellation of the current selection and does not remove copies that already completed. Other waiting selections can continue. Read Stopped and Not started rows to see what remains.
If a candidate cannot be verified, it is not offered as a successful smaller copy. Keep the original. For an interruption with an unconfirmed output, preserve the reported recovery information and seek support if its state is unclear.
What to include when asking for help
Use Support and include your installed app version, the profile, file type, exact outcome and explanation. Say whether the input was a file or folder and whether subfolders were included.
A small non-sensitive sample and reproducible steps are more useful than private documents. Hide personal paths in screenshots before sharing them.
Make Smaller
View app detailsRelated guides
- Make Smaller: which quality setting should you choose?
- Make a folder of files smaller on Windows
- Make a smaller file copy on Windows