To convert a JPG to PDF on Windows 11, right-click the image in File Explorer, select Show more options > Print, and choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer. Select Print, give the PDF a name, and select Save. Windows creates the PDF on your PC, with no extra apps or websites needed.
Applies to: Windows 11. No downloads or administrator rights needed. Checked on September 30, 2026.
How it works
Windows 11 includes a virtual printer called Microsoft Print to PDF. Instead of printing on paper, it saves whatever you “print” as a PDF file. Any app that can print a picture can use it, including File Explorer, Photos and Paint.
Because everything happens on your PC, your pictures aren’t uploaded anywhere. That’s worth knowing if the image is a scan of a document with personal details on it, since online converters upload your files to their servers.
Method 1: Print from File Explorer
This method works for one picture or several, and it lets you put many pictures in one PDF.
- Open File Explorer and find your JPG.
- Right-click the file and select Show more options, then Print. The Print Pictures window opens.
- Next to Printer, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
- Choose a Paper size, such as Letter or A4.
- On the right, choose a layout. Full page photo puts one picture on each page.
- Clear Fit picture to frame if you don’t want the edges of your picture cut off. With it on, Windows fills the page and may crop the image.
- Select Print.
- In the Save Print Output As window, choose a folder, type a name for the PDF, and select Save.
The PDF appears in the folder you chose. Open it to check it looks right. It opens in Microsoft Edge or your default PDF viewer.
Combine several JPGs into one PDF
Some guides say Print to PDF can only handle one picture at a time, but in File Explorer you can put many pictures in one PDF:
- Put the pictures in one folder.
- Rename them so they sort in the order you want, for example 01 receipt, 02 receipt and so on.
- Select them all. Hold Ctrl and select each one, or press Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder.
- Right-click any selected picture and select Show more options > Print.
- Choose Microsoft Print to PDF, choose Full page photo, and select Print.
- Name the PDF and select Save.
You get a single PDF with each picture on its own page. The pictures usually appear in the same order as in File Explorer, so check the PDF before you send it. Layouts like 4 x 6 in. or Wallet put several pictures on each page instead.
Method 2: Print from the Photos app
If you already have the picture open in Photos:
- Double-click the JPG to open it in Photos.
- Select See more (…) at the top of the window and then Print, or press Ctrl + P.
- Under Printer, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
- Choose the Orientation, Paper size and how the picture should Fit on the page.
- Select Print, name the PDF, and select Save.
Photos is quickest for one picture. For several pictures in one PDF, use File Explorer as shown above.
Method 3: Print from Paint
Paint is handy if you want to crop, rotate or resize the picture first.
- Right-click the JPG and select Open with > Paint.
- Make any changes, such as Crop or Rotate.
- Select File > Print > Print, or press Ctrl + P.
- Choose Microsoft Print to PDF and select Print.
- Name the PDF and select Save.
Paint’s changes only go into the PDF. Your original JPG stays the same unless you also save it in Paint.
Other built-in options
- Microsoft Edge: drag the JPG into an Edge window, press Ctrl + P, and choose Save as PDF as the printer.
- Microsoft Word: insert the pictures into a document with Insert > Pictures, then select File > Save As and choose PDF. This gives you the most control over layout, and you can add text. See how to convert Word to PDF.
The same steps work for other picture types, such as PNG, BMP and GIF files. For iPhone photos saved as HEIC, first make sure you can open HEIC files in Windows 11.
Turn a paper document into a PDF
If you’re starting with a paper document rather than a photo, you can skip the JPG step. If you have a scanner, the Windows Scan app from Microsoft can save a scan straight to PDF: choose PDF as the File type before you select Scan. If you took a phone photo of the page instead, crop it in Photos or Paint first so only the page shows, then print it to PDF as above.
If it doesn’t work
- There’s no Print option. In File Explorer, select Show more options first. Print is in the full menu, not the shorter Windows 11 menu.
- Microsoft Print to PDF isn’t in the printer list. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and look for it. If it’s missing, it can be turned back on in Windows features, which needs administrator rights. Ask whoever manages your PC, or use Save as PDF in Microsoft Edge instead.
- The picture is cut off. Clear Fit picture to frame in File Explorer, or change the Fit option in Photos so the whole picture shows.
- The picture is sideways. Rotate it in Photos or Paint before printing, or change the Orientation.
- You can’t find the PDF. It’s in the folder you chose in the save window. If you didn’t pick one, check Documents. You can also search for the file name in File Explorer.
- The PDF is very large. Big, high-resolution photos make big PDFs. Resize the picture in Paint first, with Resize and skew, then print it again.
Going the other way? See how to convert PDF to JPG for the Windows 10 steps, which also work in Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Print to PDF free?
Yes. It’s built into Windows 11, and there’s nothing to download or buy.
Does converting to PDF reduce the picture’s quality?
Very little. The picture is placed on a PDF page at close to its original quality. Scaling it to fit the page may change how sharp it looks when printed.
Can I change the order of pages later?
Not with Print to PDF. Rename the pictures and create the PDF again, or place them in the order you want in Word first.
How do I open the PDF?
Double-click it. It opens in Microsoft Edge unless you’ve chosen another PDF app. See how to change the default PDF viewer in Windows 11.
Can I convert a HEIC photo from my phone the same way?
Yes, if the photo opens in Photos. Open it, then print it to Microsoft Print to PDF as shown in Method 2.
Can I password-protect the PDF?
Not with the tools built into Windows. Microsoft Print to PDF creates a plain PDF. Word can encrypt a PDF when you save it, from Options in the Save As window.
Next steps
Using Windows 10? See how to convert JPG to PDF on Windows 10. To see the .jpg and .pdf endings on your files, see how to show file extensions in Windows 11. Microsoft covers the Photos app in Manage photos and videos with Microsoft Photos app.
Related: How to combine PDF files in Windows 11.
Related: sign a Word document on iPhone.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.