PDF is the most acceptable file type in business. Most devices can view them, and they appear the same across different devices. Also, PDF allows you to preserve image quality. The catch is that PDF files often have large file sizes. That could cause a problem when sending or storing PDF files. So, we recommend compressing the PDF. But how to reduce PDF file size on Windows 10?
In this article, you will learn how to do that.
In this article
Method 1: Use Adobe Alternatives to Lower PDF File Size on Windows 10
If you can't afford expensive software or if you're a beginner, Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor - an easy-to-use, affordable PDF solution, is your best choice.
Here's how to use Wondershare PDFelement to reduce the size of a PDF document on Windows 10:
Step 1 Launch Wondershare PDFelement. Click Compress.
Step 2 Select the compression level. Click Apply.
If the document is already open in PDFelement, follow these steps instead: Click Tools > Compress. Choose a compression level. Click Apply.
You can also refer to the following video:
Pros
User-friendly interface and simple process
You can choose a compression level
Offers batch processing for compressing multiple PDF files at once
Allows you to share the PDF with a shareable link
Cons
You can't access the feature once the free trial expires.
Method 2: Compress PDF Using Microsoft Word
Believe it or not, you can use Microsoft Word as a PDF compressor. Follow these steps to do it:
Step 1 Launch MS Word on your computer.
Step 2 Open the PDF with the file size you want to reduce.
Step 3 Click File > Save As.
Step 4 Select PDF in the "Save as type" section.
Step 5 Tick the Minimum Size (publishing online) option. Click Save.
Limitations: It's an easy way to reduce PDF file size. However, it is not the most effective. Why? It does not let you choose the quality of the output file. So, you have to make do with what this method produces.
Method 3: Compress PDF on Windows 10 Using Tools Available Online
If you don't like using MS Word for compression or you don't have MS Word, don't worry. You are not out of options. You can use other tools, including these three online PDF compressors.
Adobe Online
Adobe Online offers many features, including a PDF compressor. It can cut over 10 MB from a PDF file size with its High compression level setting. Here's how to use this tool to compress PDFs:
Step 1 Launch a web browser. Open Adobe Acrobat Online's website.
Step 2 Sign in to your account or start your free trial by registering an account.
Step 3 Select Convert > Compress a PDF.
Step 4 Click the blue Select a File button to upload the PDF you want to compress.
Step 5 Select a compression level. The higher the level, the more MB will be cut. Adobe Acrobat Online will show you the estimated file size for the output for each level.
Step 6 Wait for the processing to finish. Adobe Acrobat will show you a preview of the file once it is done. Click the three dots at the top right > Download this file.
Pros
It allows you to select a compression level for your file.
The compressor shows you the estimated file size for each compression level.
You can use it on the go.
Cons
Adobe Acrobat Online is not completely free.
The free version offers limited document processing per day.
It requires account registration.
HiPDF
HiPDF is the online PDF solution from the Wondershare group. It offers many helpful tools and lets users use them for free. That said, HiPDF is an online service that you can use to reduce PDF file size on Windows 10. Here's how to use this tool for that purpose:
Step 1 Launch your favorite web browser and visit HiPDF Compress PDF Online.
Step 2 Drag and drop the PDF files you want to compress into the given field. Or click Choose File to upload the files.
Step 3 Select the compression level you want to use.
Step 4 Click Compress and click Download.
Pros
Offers free unlimited document compression.
Allows you to select from three compression levels.
It offers batch processing.
HiPDF has integration with the major cloud storage systems.
Cons
Requires registration for unlimited processing.
It does not show you the estimated file size for the output file for each compression level.
iLovePDF
ILovePDF is an easy-to-use PDF solution. Like the other two online tools mentioned above, you can use this service to reduce PDF file size. It can process PDFs as large as 4GB in total. Follow the steps to do so:
Step 1 Open a web browser and visit iLovePDF's website.
Step 2 Click Compress PDF.
Step 3 Click Select PDF Files to upload the PDF you want to compress from your computer. Alternatively, click the icons for Google Drive or Dropbox to get the PDF from their respective cloud storage system.
Step 4 Select a compression level.
Step 5 Click Compress PDF. ILovePDF will process the document. After it is done, a file download will automatically start.
Pros
iLovePDF is generous when it comes to the file size limit. The total can go to as high as 200MB in the free version and 4GB in the paid version.
You don't have to pay to make it usable.
Lets you choose a compression level.
Lets you upload from Google Drive or Dropbox.
Cons
The free version offers limited document processing.
It does not show you the estimated file size for the output file for each compression level.
Method 4: Reduce PDF File Size Windows 10 with Adobe Acrobat PDF Optimizer
Adobe Acrobat Online came to be because Adobe wants to let more users experience using Adobe Acrobat Pro's features. That said, Adobe Acrobat has a feature called PDF Optimizer that lets you reduce PDF file sizes. Here's how to do it.
Step 1 Open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Step 2 Click File > Save As Other > Optimized PDF. Alternatively, go to Tools > Optimize PDF > Advanced Optimization.
Step 3 On the left panel, check the text boxes to show advanced options on the right panel. For example, check Images to see what you can do with the images in the PDF to reduce the file size.
Step 4 Once satisfied with your choices, click OK.
Step 5 Click Save in the "Save Optimized As" dialog box.
Pros
Offers you great control over which elements to keep, remove, and change from the PDF to reduce the file size.
More powerful than the alternatives.
Cons
Totally not free.
Need time to learn how to use.
Method 5: Reduce PDF Size in Adobe Reader DC on Windows 10
Do you want to quickly reduce a PDF's file size? Adobe has another feature for that. You can use Adobe's one-click Reduce File Size feature instead of the optimizer. Here's how to do PDF compression on Adobe this way.
Step 1 Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Step 2 Click Tools.
Step 3 Scroll down and click Open under "Optimize PDF." Select and open the PDF that you want to compress.
Step 4 Click Reduce File Size.
Step 5 Click OK on the "Reduce File Size" dialog box.
Pros
It is less complicated than using the Adobe PDF Optimizer.
More powerful than alternatives.
Cons
Not free.
Does not let you pick a compression level.
Benefits of Reducing PDF File Size
You can attach PDFs to your emails. However, there's often a file size limit. The thing is that PDF files often have large file sizes. Thus, you can't attach them to your email. By reducing its file size through compression, you can fix this problem.
Storage issues are also a thing. Your device or cloud storage may be running out of storage space. Suppose you have about a hundred stored in there. Then each of these PDF documents has a large file size. They're part of the problem. Reducing the file size of your PDF documents will help a lot in freeing space.
Conclusion
The PDF format is great because it lets you preserve the quality of images, and they appear the same on different devices. However, PDF files often have large file sizes. That could cause some problems. So, you sometimes need to reduce PDF file sizes. On Windows 10, you can do that using Wondershare PDFelement. It is easy to use, and it is affordable.
On top of that, Wondershare PDFelement offers other features you can use to handle other PDF-related tasks.