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Make Smaller guide

Make JPG, PNG and other images smaller on Windows

Use Make Smaller from an image’s File Explorer menu. Start with Preserve quality, then compare the copy’s appearance and file size. Balanced and Smallest size can reduce image quality or dimensions.

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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 locally available image in a supported family: JPEG, PNG/APNG, BMP, GIF, WebP, TIFF, AVIF or HEIC/HEIF. Internal encoding and feature limits still apply.

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. Check the starting size

    Choose a photo or image with the detail you need to keep. In File Explorer, right-click it, choose Properties and note Size. Check the receiving site for its size limit and accepted formats.

  2. Try Preserve quality

    Right-click the image, open Make Smaller and choose Preserve quality. Wait for a saved copy or a result explaining why no copy was made.

  3. Try a smaller sharing copy if needed

    If the copy is still too large, select the original again and try Balanced. Smallest size allows more change when needed. These profiles can reduce detail, colors or dimensions.

    Make Smaller shows a smaller Earth JPG created with Balanced beside File Explorer.
    Use Show in folder to open the smaller copy. Enlarge image.
    1. Show in folder opens the smaller copy’s location.

  4. Look at the image

    Use Show in folder and open the output. Check small lettering, faces or other important detail. Also check orientation, transparency and animation if the image uses them.

  5. Measure the output

    Right-click the output in File Explorer, choose Properties and compare Size with the limit. Make Smaller has no target-MB setting. A PNG stays a PNG and a JPG stays a JPG; choose the inspected copy when you upload.

Check your result

  • Important detail, colors and orientation look right.
  • Transparency, animation or multiple pages still work where needed.
  • The output has an accepted format and its actual Size fits the destination limit.
If you need more help

When an image does not shrink

An already compact image may report No improvement. Some image features need a method that keeps quality unchanged, or prevent processing. Read the result before trying another profile.

If the file is damaged or its contents do not match its extension, try a valid export from the original editor. Renaming .png to .jpg does not convert the picture.

Size and privacy are separate checks

Make Smaller is a size-reduction tool. A smaller image can still contain metadata and visible personal details. Review those separately before public sharing.

Need the app?

Make Smaller. Check requirements and download options.

Make Smaller on Microsoft Store

Next steps