Windows gives you two free, built-in ways to compress a JPEG. Paint. And Microsoft PowerToys. They reduce file size by different means. Paint shrinks dimensions. PowerToys Image Resizer shrinks dimensions and lets you dial down the JPEG encoding level. Neither is a full substitute for a compression tool that analyses image content, but both work.

Using Paint to Resize and Reduce File Size

Paint ships with every version of Windows. It resizes an image, which is one way to reduce jpg size windows 11 or earlier. Paint saves JPEGs without an encoding adjustment, so the only lever it has is making the image physically smaller.

How to resize in Paint

  1. Open the image in Paint.
  2. Press Ctrl+W to open the Resize and Skew dialog.
  3. In the Resize section, choose Percentage or Pixels. Check Maintain aspect ratio to keep proportions.
  4. Enter a smaller value (for example) and click OK.
  5. Save the file with File > Save or Save As. The new file will be smaller in pixel dimensions and usually smaller in file size.

This method is quick. It works for any JPEG. But because you cannot adjust the encoding level, the only route to a smaller file is a smaller picture. Keep the same dimensions and Paint barely moves the file size.

Microsoft PowerToys Image Resizer

Microsoft PowerToys is a free, open-source utility pack from Microsoft. Its Image Resizer module adds a Resize with Image Resizer command to the File Explorer right-click menu. No editor required.

Setting up and using Image Resizer

  1. Download and install Microsoft PowerToys from its official site.
  2. Open PowerToys, go to Image Resizer, and enable it.
  3. In settings, set a JPEG encoding level (for instance) and choose output options. Saving resized copies alongside the originals is the default.
  4. In File Explorer, right-click one or more JPEGs. On Windows 11, click Show more options to see the entry. Select Resize with Image Resizer.
  5. Pick a preset or enter custom dimensions, then run the resize. The copies land in the same folder with a suffix.

Image Resizer handles many files at once. That makes it the pick for batch work. The encoding slider gives you a grip on the trade-off between fidelity and file size. Still, it applies one number to every image. It does not read the content the way a dedicated compressor does.

Checking the New File Size

After resizing, check the file size in File Explorer. Switch to Details view to see the Size column, or right-click the file and choose Properties for the exact byte count. Compare the original and the resized copy side by side.

Limits of Paint and PowerToys for JPEG Compression

Both tools hit a wall when you need to make photo smaller pc and keep decent fidelity.

  • Paint: No encoding control. To cut file size, you must reduce dimensions. Need the same pixel size but a smaller file? Paint cannot do it.
  • PowerToys Image Resizer: Lets you set an encoding level, but that single number governs the whole image. It does not vary compression by region. With finely detailed photos, a low setting produces visible artifacts.
  • Both: Fine for simple resizing or batch tasks. If you must keep the original dimensions and still drop file size significantly, a dedicated compressor with advanced tuning delivers more.

When a Dedicated Compressor Makes Sense

To get the smallest file for a given level of fidelity, or to keep the same dimensions, reach for a tool built solely for JPEG compression. These tools read the image. They apply heavier compression to low-detail areas and preserve sharpness where it counts. A service like compressjpeg.onl does exactly that, no software install needed.

Tips for Better Results with Built-in Tools

Get the most from Paint or PowerToys Image Resizer:

  • Always keep the original file. Both tools can save resized copies alongside the originals. PowerToys does this by default. In Paint, use Save As with a new name.
  • For web use, a resize in that range looks fine on screen and slashes file size.
  • Use PowerToys for batch jobs. It saves time over resizing one by one in Paint.