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Make Smaller guide

Try Make Smaller free: what counts and how to upgrade

Try Make Smaller with your own files. Learn what uses one of your five trial uses, what happens at the limit and how to unlock the full version.

By Osenpa · Updated
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Short answer

Get the free trial from Microsoft Store and try one supported file. Your allowance starts at five uses. A use is counted only when a checked copy is saved and is at least 1% smaller. You can buy the full version at any time for €2.99 once, with no subscription.

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

Before you start

  • Make Smaller from Microsoft Store on Windows 11 24H2 or later, x64, with confirmed trial access and uses remaining.
  • One supported, non-sensitive sample file stored on your PC, and enough space for processing and a separate copy. Keep the original.
  • A connection for acquiring the trial, purchasing or resolving a Microsoft Store license check. File compression runs locally.

Start here

  1. Get the Store trial

    Open Make Smaller in Microsoft Store and choose its free trial option. Complete the Store installation, then open the app and wait for the license check. The Free trial card shows how many uses remain.

  2. Try one file

    In File Explorer, right-click a supported file, open Make Smaller and choose Preserve quality. Let processing and Checking result finish.

  3. Check the saved copy and the count

    For a successful result, choose Show in folder and open the smaller copy. The result says whether it counted toward your trial limit. A saved copy below 1% reduction does not consume a use.

  4. Decide whether to continue

    Try other samples while you have uses left. Each qualifying file counts separately, so a folder can use several uses. If Free trial limit appears, review the available uses before choosing Continue or Cancel.

  5. Unlock the full version when ready

    Choose Buy full version in the app and complete the Microsoft Store purchase. You can do this before the trial runs out or while processing. Wait for the full-version license to be confirmed; the trial limit then disappears without restarting the app.

Check your result

  • The original is still present, and any saved copy opens correctly.
  • The result explains whether that copy consumed a trial use.
  • After buying, the app confirms full access. Your existing copies and results history remain available.

What uses the allowance?

A file uses one allowance only after its smaller copy has been saved and verified, with at least 1% reduction. Five uses means five qualifying files, not five clicks, folders or sessions.

Failed, cancelled, unverified and non-smaller attempts use none. If you stop a batch, qualifying copies that already finished still count and remain available. A valid saved copy below 1% reduction is delivered without consuming a use.

Example: you start with five uses and process three files. One copy is 8% smaller, one saved copy is 0.5% smaller, and one file fails. Only the first copy counts, so four uses remain.

Why the displayed percentage may look close to 1%

The count uses the original and final file sizes in bytes, before rounding the percentage for display. A reduction of exactly 1% counts. Use the trial note on the result to confirm what happened.

What happens when the trial runs out?

Files are tried in order until the remaining uses are spent. Files left after the limit is reached are not processed; they show Trial limit reached. Already saved copies remain yours to use. You can still view result history and open completed copies after the allowance runs out.

Buy full version removes the trial allowance limit after Microsoft Store confirms your license. Review the remaining files and select them again when ready; do not assume skipped work was completed.

If the purchase or license check does not finish

If the app is checking the license, let it finish. If it cannot confirm access or trial usage, check your connection and use Check license. An unavailable check is different from confirmed inactive access.

If you have paid but full access is still pending, return to the app and let it refresh the Store license. Do not buy again just because confirmation is delayed. If the problem continues, use Support and include the exact message.

If a copy was saved but trial usage is pending, keep the copy and choose Check license before processing more files. A pending count does not mean that the saved copy failed.

If the purchase dialog does not open, close Make Smaller and open it normally, without Run as administrator. The in-app Store purchase requires a standard, non-elevated session.

Does reinstalling restore the five uses?

No. Normal uninstall, reinstall and app reset preserve trial consumption for the same Windows user and app package family. Clear history removes result history, not trial consumption.

The allowance is local to that Windows user and app family. It is not a shared account quota across devices.

The app used in this guide

Make Smaller

View app details

Related guides

Sources and further reading