Using the Windows 11 Photos App to Reduce Photo File Sizes — It’s Easier Than You Might Think
Honestly, I’ve always relied on online tools or dedicated apps to resize images, but it turns out Windows 11’s built-in Photos app can handle it surprisingly well if you know where to look. If huge image files are taking up space or causing trouble when uploading online, this might do the trick. The thing is, the Photos app isn’t just for viewing pictures — it actually has a handy resize feature that’s hidden away but quite useful once you find it.
Here’s where I initially got stuck — I needed to reduce a photo’s size to meet a web upload limit but couldn’t find a clear resize option right away. It’s not immediately obvious, and I remember seeing some confusing menus. To start, open File Explorer (press Windows key + E) and navigate to the folder containing your photos. Right-click the image you want to resize and select Open with > Photos. If Photos isn’t listed, don’t worry — click Open with > Choose another app and select Photos from there. This step is important because Photos can do much more than just viewing, especially for quick edits like resizing.
Once the photo opens in Photos, look for the three-dot menu at the top right (sometimes called More options) and click it. Then choose Resize. Here’s a key point: it’s not solely about changing dimensions — you can also tweak the quality slider, which directly affects the file size. Typically, you’ll see options like Best quality, Medium quality, Best fit. Lowering the quality results in a smaller file — often with hardly noticeable differences if you reduce it slightly. Be aware, though: reducing quality can impact how sharp or smooth your image appears, especially on gradients or areas with soft colours.
In addition to quality, you can adjust the actual dimensions — width and height — through the same menu. If you need your image to meet specific size criteria (say, for an email or upload), set the pixel dimensions directly or choose from preset sizes if available. After making your adjustments, click Save. The app will prompt you to choose where to save the resized version — you can overwrite the original if you’re confident, or save it as a new file to keep the original untouched. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a straightforward process, though sometimes the menus are a bit tucked away if you’re not looking carefully.
Alternative Method: Using Microsoft Paint
If Photos feels a bit limited or acting up, Paint is a reliable backup. Most Windows installations have it pre-installed — no extra downloads needed — and it’s quite straightforward. To resize with Paint, right-click your image and choose Open with > Paint. If Paint doesn’t appear directly, choose Choose another app and select it from there.
Inside Paint, you’ll find the resize function under the “Resize” button on the toolbar, or simply press Ctrl + W (yes, that’s the shortcut). A small dialog box will appear where you can resize by percentage or pixels. For consistent sizing and meeting size limits, I recommend entering specific pixel values — for example, 1024×768 — rather than percentages. That way, you control the exact dimensions, usually leading to smaller files without compromising quality too much. Resizing in Paint is quick and simple, making it a good fallback if Photos isn’t cooperating.
After setting your preferred pixels or percentage, click OK, then go to File > Save As to save your new image. It’s best to save a new copy unless you want to overwrite the original. Choosing the right format, like JPEG (good for photos and compression) or PNG (better for graphics), also helps keep file sizes down. It took me a few tries to get it just right, but once you get used to it, it’s a breeze.
Extra Tips for Smarter Photo Compression
Remember, resizing and adjusting quality is all about finding the right balance. Pushing compression too far can make your images pixelated or blurry — especially with soft gradients or lots of colour. Essentially, there’s no magic fix. Sometimes reducing the dimensions makes a big difference, but combining that with a slight drop in quality really helps keep the file size manageable without sacrificing too much visual clarity.
Avoid doing multiple rounds of compression using Photos or Paint; it can degrade your image quality each time. Always keep a backup of the original before making any changes, just in case. To check the new file size, right-click the image, select Properties, and look at the Details tab. This helps ensure you’ve achieved the right reduction while maintaining acceptable quality.
If you plan to resize images regularly or need to process batches, it’s worth exploring whether your PC’s Developer Mode is active, or adjusting File Explorer settings for quick info. Also, setting Photos as your default image viewer can streamline your workflow—this can be managed in Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
It took me a bit of trial and error to find these settings, but once I did, resizing in Windows became a lot smoother than I expected. Hope this gives someone else a hand — I spent way too long figuring it out. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to experiment with quality and size until you get the perfect balance!