Ultimate Guide to Resize Images in Windows 11: Built-in and Online Tools

Let's face it: we live in an increasingly digital world, and sometimes, your breathtaking vacation photos or memes need a little shrinking magic to fit into the size constraints of email attachments, websites, or social media platforms. Windows 11 users, rejoice! This guide will walk you through how to resize an image using several built-in tools, some external utilities, and even a touch of wizardry (via the Command Prompt).
Windows 11 offers a variety of simple and efficient methods to resize your images. Whether you’re a casual user looking for a quick tweak or a power user craving automation, you're covered. Gather 'round, Windows enthusiasts, as I break it all down for you step by step!

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The Built-In Tools: Photos and Paint​

1. Using the Photos App​

The Photos app is a great place to start, especially because it’s already bundled with Windows 11 and is super user-friendly.
Steps to Resize Using Photos:

1. Right-click the image file you want to resize.
2. Select Open With > Photos.
3. In Photos, click on the three-dot menu located at the top of the page.
4. Select Resize Image from the drop-down menu.
5. In the pop-up window:
   • Choose Pixels to adjust the image's precise width or height.
   • Specify either the desired width (or height) — the app automatically adjusts the other dimension to maintain the aspect ratio.
6. Adjust quality settings if you desire a higher or lower resolution.
7. Click Save, name your resized image, and select the save location.

Why Use Photos?
It’s quick, simple, and eliminates the need to install third-party tools. Plus, it keeps the process streamlined for users who don’t want to get technical.

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2. Using Microsoft Paint: A Classic Favorite​

Ah, Paint — the software Windows veterans know and love! It’s another built-in tool that stands tall in the game of image resizing.
Resize Steps with Paint:

1. Open the image:
   • Locate your image in File Explorer, right-click it, and select Open With > Paint.
   • You can also open Paint first and use File > Open to select your image.
2. On the ribbon menu at the top, select Resize and Skew (shortcut: Ctrl + W).
3. In the “Resize and Skew” box:
   • Opt for Pixels to enter your desired dimensions in numbers.
   • Check the Maintain Aspect Ratio option (if it’s unchecked) so your image doesn’t warp.
4. Click OK, preview the resized image, and Save using File > Save As.

Bonus Tip: Paint works great for both beginners and old-school users! It won't wow you with features, but it gets the job done—effortlessly.

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PowerUser Tools: File Explorer and PowerToys​

3. Image Resizing Made Easy with File Explorer (+ PowerToys)​

Microsoft’s PowerToys is a godsend for Windows enthusiasts who live and breathe efficiency. It enhances the default features of File Explorer and brings an image resizer right to your fingertips.
Steps to Resize with File Explorer:

1. Install Microsoft PowerToys by heading to the Microsoft Store and searching for “PowerToys.”
2. Open PowerToys and enable the Image Resizer feature under its settings.
3. Now head to File Explorer (Windows + E) and locate the image you want to resize.
4. Right-click the image and select Resize With Image Resizer.
5. In the Image Resizer window:
   • Pick a predefined size from the drop-down menu or choose Custom to enter specific dimensions.
   • Customize output options (optional).
   • Click Resize to process the image.
6. Boom! Your newly resized image is stored in the same folder as the original.

Why Choose PowerToys?
Batch resizing! You can bulk-select multiple images and let Image Resizer handle them all at once. No sweat, no tears.

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Productivity Suite Hacks: Word and PowerPoint​

4. Resizing Within Word or PowerPoint​

Most users aren’t aware, but Microsoft Word and PowerPoint have image editing capabilities baked in. They aren't limited to slides or reports; image resizing is on the menu!
Steps to Resize Images via Word/PowerPoint:

1. Open Word or PowerPoint and create a blank document/presentation.
2. Navigate to Insert > Pictures > This Device, and select your image.
3. Use the grab handles on the image’s corners if you’re eyeballing the resize dimensions.
4. For precise resizing:
   • Right-click the image and select Size and Position.
   • Specify exact dimensions (not in pixels but in inches or centimeters; use a conversion calculator if needed).
5. To save: Right-click the resized image and select Save as Picture.

Great for business users working in Microsoft’s ecosystem who don't want to leave the comfort of Word or PowerPoint while organizing media files.

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Online Tools for Instant Results​

5. Resizing with Websites​

No installation? No problem. Online tools like Adobe Express and Image Resizer Online are perfect for quick adjustments on any modern browser.
Example: Adobe Express

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Upload your image by dragging it into the interface.
3. Input the desired width or height and preview the change live.
4. Adjust quality settings (optional) and download the final resized version.

Why consider web tools?
Convenience at its peak. Just don't use them for sensitive or personal images due to potential privacy risks.

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Command-Line Wizardry: ImageMagick​

6. For Advanced Users: Resize in Command Prompt​

For the tech whizzes out there, ImageMagick, a free open-source tool, allows resizing directly from the Command Line.
Steps:

1. Download and install ImageMagick from its official site.
2. Open Command Prompt (Windows + S, search “Command Prompt”).
3. Navigate to the directory containing your image using the cd command:
   
   Code:

    cd PATH_TO_FOLDER

4. Run a resize command:
   • For exact dimensions (ignoring aspect ratio):
     
     Code:

      magick original.jpg -resize 500x500! resized.jpg

   • To resize based on width only:
     
     Code:

      magick original.jpg -resize 500 resized.jpg

   • Height-only resizing is also possible:
     
     Code:

      magick original.jpg -resize x500 resized.jpg

Your resized image quietly outputs into the same folder—like an IT ninja completing a silent heist.

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Which Method Should You Use?​

• Casual Users: Stick with Photos or Paint for simplicity.
• Power Users/Bulk Jobs: File Explorer with PowerToys is unbeatable.
• Command-Line Enthusiasts: ImageMagick all the way, folks!
• Business Users: Word/PowerPoint is already in your daily workflow, so make use of it.
• Quick Edits Anytime, Anywhere: Browser-based resizing is a time-saver.

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Get ready to wield these resizing tools like a pro. Whether you’re sprucing up your selfie game, preparing graphics for work, or optimizing images for online sharing, Windows 11 has truly brought powerful tools to your fingertips. Resize away!

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Source: How-To Geek How to Resize an Image on Windows 11