How to Compress Images on Windows: Every Built-in & Free Method

Updated June 2026 · 6 min read

You don't need Photoshop or a paid app to compress images on Windows. Between built-in tools, free Microsoft utilities, and browser-based compressors, you have at least six solid options — most of them already on your PC.

Fastest method: Compress2PNG.com — drag images onto the browser page, choose format and quality, download. Works on any Windows version, nothing to install. For batch processing, this is the clear winner.

Method 1: Paint (Built-in, Windows 11/10)

Yes, Paint still exists, and it can compress images in a pinch:

Right-click image → Open with → Paint
File → Save as → JPEG picture
That's it. PNG→JPG via Paint typically reduces size by 70-85%

Limitations: No quality slider, no batch processing, no WebP/AVIF support. Single file only. Fine for a quick one-off, painful for anything more.

Method 2: Photos App (Built-in, Windows 11)

Windows 11's Photos app has a hidden resize feature:

Open image in Photos
Click the three dots (···) → Resize image
Choose preset (S/M/L) or custom dimensions
Save as JPG

Limitations: Resize only, no quality slider, no format conversion beyond JPG. Single file.

Method 3: PowerToys Image Resizer (Free, Microsoft)

Microsoft PowerToys is a free utility pack from Microsoft itself. Its Image Resizer tool is the best batch solution available without installing anything third-party:

Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store (free)
Select multiple images in File Explorer
Right-click → Resize pictures
Choose preset size and format → Apply

Pros: Batch processing, right-click integration, customizable presets (add your own sizes). Cons: Resize only, no quality-percentage control, no WebP/AVIF support, no compression without resizing.

Method 4: Snipping Tool (Built-in, Quick Fix)

Counterintuitive but effective: open a PNG in Snipping Tool, re-save it. The tool always saves as a compressed format, often yielding 50-70% smaller files.

Open the image in Snipping Tool (Win+Shift+S or search)
File → Save as → choose JPEG

Limitations: Very basic. No batch. No quality control.

Method 5: Browser-Based Compressor (Best All-Rounder)

A browser compressor like compress2png.com outperforms every built-in Windows option:

Batch processing: Drag 50 files at once, download as ZIP
Quality control: Slider from 10-100%, real-time preview
Format support: JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF — choose output format
Privacy: All processing local — files never leave your PC
No install: Works in any browser, any Windows version

Method 6: Command Line (For Power Users)

If you're comfortable with the command line, ImageMagick is the most powerful free option:

magick mogrify -quality 80% -resize 1920x *.jpg

This single command resizes all JPGs in the current folder to 1920px wide and compresses to 80% quality. Install via winget install ImageMagick.ImageMagick.

Method Comparison

Method	Batch	Quality Control	WebP/AVIF	Best For
Paint	❌	❌	❌	Emergency one-off
Photos App	❌	⚠️ Resize	❌	Quick resize
PowerToys	✅	⚠️ Size	❌	Batch resize
Browser Compressor	✅ ZIP	✅ Full	✅	Daily driver
Command Line	✅ Script	✅ Full	✅	Automation

The Bottom Line

For one-off compression, use a browser tool like Compress2PNG — no install, works instantly. For batch desktop work, install PowerToys (free from Microsoft). For automation, ImageMagick on the command line. You never need to pay for image compression on Windows.