HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
Windows Community
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Compare editions

See also

Change the file size or quality level of a JPEG picture

Most of the pictures on your computer are probably saved in the JPEG format, since this is the preferred format of most digital cameras. JPEG pictures have the advantage of retaining high visual quality and having a relatively small file size. This is because the JPEG format compresses information in the picture to reduce the file size without affecting the picture's resolution.

If you want to make a picture's file size smaller to save storage space, you can reduce the file size of one or more pictures by using a photo editing program to reduce the quality level of the picture. This technique reduces the file size without reducing the actual number of pixels in the picture.

Example of a JPEG picture saved at high quality and low qualityA JPEG picture saved at high quality (left) and low quality (right)

For the best visual quality, you should save your JPEG pictures with a high quality setting (which is the same as a low compression level). This happens automatically when you save pictures using Windows Photo Gallery or Paint.

If you want to reduce the file size of a picture to send in e‑mail, see Send pictures or videos in e‑mail.

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks