Before you start
- The large PDF
- PDF24 Creator or a browser
Method 1 PDF24 Creator (Windows, offline, free)
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Step 1: Open the tool
Install PDF24 Creator and open Compress PDF.
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Step 2: Choose settings
Set DPI to around 150 for on-screen reading (300 for printing) and image quality around 75%.
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Step 3: Compress and compare
Click Compress, check the result, and adjust if text or images look blurry.
Method 2 Adobe Acrobat online (any device)
Avoid online tools for confidential documents.
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Step 1: Upload
Open Adobe’s free Compress PDF tool and select your file.
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Step 2: Pick a level
Choose Medium for a good balance. High compression may blur images.
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Step 3: Download
Download the smaller file.
Method 3 Mac: Preview
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Step 1: Export with a filter
Open the PDF in Preview, choose File > Export, and set Quartz Filter to Reduce File Size.
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Step 2: Check quality
This filter can be aggressive, especially on scans. If images look poor, use another tool.
Method 4 Re-export from the original document
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Step 1: Word
File > Save As (or Export) > PDF and choose Minimum size (publishing online).
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Step 2: Compress pictures first
In Word, select an image > Picture Format > Compress Pictures and choose a lower resolution before exporting.
Troubleshooting
The file barely got smaller
It may be mostly text and fonts, which are already efficient. Try removing unneeded pages or embedded attachments.
Text looks blurry
Use a higher DPI or medium compression; scanned text needs at least 150–200 DPI.
Frequently asked questions
What size limit do email services have?
Usually 20–25 MB. For larger files, share a cloud link instead.
Is “without losing quality” really possible?
Removing unused data and optimising is lossless; reducing image resolution isn’t, but at sensible settings the difference isn’t visible on screen.
Summary
Compress with PDF24 offline or Adobe’s online tool on a medium setting, or re-export from Word with Minimum size. Check the result and use cloud links for files that are still too big.
