How to resize images in File Explorer on Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can use many applications to resize images, but they all require a lot of steps, and if you have to change the size of multiple images, you have to repeat the operation for each file. 

If you’re looking for a faster solution to resize images, the PowerToys app for Windows 10 ships with a “Resize pictures” feature that makes it easy for anyone to bulk resize images within File Explorer without the need to even open the file.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to use the PowerToys image resizer feature to change the size of one or multiple images on Windows 10.

How to resize images using PowerToys in File Explorer

The process to resize images is straightforward, but you need to install PowerToys before the option is available in the context menu of File Explorer. 

Install PowerToys

To install PowerToys for Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open PowerToys GitHub page.

2. Click the PowerToysSetup.msi link to download the installer.

3. Double-click the installer to launch the setup.

4. Continue with the on-screen directions (next, next, next).

   

Once you complete the steps, PowerToys will install on your device enabling the PowerRename feature.

Resize images

To bulk resize images on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Browse to the folder with the images you want to resize.

3. Select one or more images to resize.

   Quick tip: Click the Select all button from the “Home” tab. Use the Ctrl + A keyboard shortcut. Or press and hold the Ctrl key and click the files you want to select.

4. Right-click the selection and select the Resize pictures option.

   

5. Select the new size.

   

6. (Optional) Select the Custom option.

7. Specify the settings you want to use, including Fit, Fill, or Stretch, and the pixel count for width and height.

8. (Optional) Check the Make pictures smaller but not larger option. This is a good option, if you’re selecting a lot of images with different sizes, and you want to make sure that all images are at least of a certain size. 

9. (Optional) Check the Resize the original pictures option. PowerToys will create a copy of the new size image. If you’re sure about the new size, you can skip making duplicates of the files.

10. (Optional) Check the Ignore the orientation of pictures option.

Once you complete the steps, the files you selected will change to the name you specified.

Customize settings

The image resizer feature also allows you to customize many settings, including the default size, encoding settings, and output filename.

To customize the PowerToys “Resize Pictures” feature, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Browse to the folder with the images you want to resize.

3. Select one or more images to resize.

4. Right-click the selection and select the Resize pictures option.

   

5. Click the Settings option in the bottom-left corner.

   

6. Click the Sizes tab.

7. Define the fit, and width and height for each image size.

   

8. (Optional) Click the Create a new size if you want to add another size.

9. (Optional) Click the Delete option to remove an image size.

10. Click the Encoding tab.

11. Use the “Fallback encoder” drop-down menu to specify one of the available encoders, bmp, jpeg, png, etc.

    

12. Select the quality level for jpeg images.

13. Choose whether to use interlacing for png files.

14. Choose whether to use compression for tiff files.

15. Click the File tab.

16. Use the available parameters to compose a filename structure for images that you change size.

    

17. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the new configurations will be available the next time you resize an image.