Windows 10 and Windows 11 include Microsoft Print to PDF, a built-in virtual printer that saves any printable document as a PDF. Use the Print Pictures dialog to select multiple JPGs and turn them into a single PDF file. The steps below cover the exact process, the cropping pitfall that catches most people, and when the online jpg2pdf.tools tool is the simpler alternative.

Using Microsoft Print to PDF Via File Explorer

The quickest way to combine JPGs into a PDF on Windows is through File Explorer. This method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, though the menu path differs slightly.

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing your JPG images.
  2. Select the JPGs you want to include. Hold Ctrl to pick individual files or Shift to select a range.
  3. Right-click any selected file. On Windows 10, choose Print from the menu. On Windows 11, click Show more options, then Print.
  4. The Print Pictures dialog opens. Under Printer, select Microsoft Print to PDF.
  5. Choose a layout, such as Full page photo, and adjust other settings as needed.
  6. Click Print. Windows asks where to save the resulting PDF. Name the file, choose a location, then click Save.

No third-party apps required.

Layout Options and the Cropping Pitfall

Layout Choices

The Print Pictures dialog offers several layout choices for how images appear on each page. Common options include Full page photo, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and contact sheet layouts. The layout you pick determines the size and placement of each picture on the page.

The "Fit Picture to Frame" Setting

One setting you will see is Fit picture to frame. When this box is checked, Windows scales and crops the image to fill the entire printable area. This cuts off parts of your photo, especially if the image aspect ratio does not match the page. To keep the whole photo visible without cropping, untick Fit picture to frame. The image then scales to fit within the frame while preserving its full content, leaving white space if needed. For most users combining JPGs on Windows 11 without losing image edges, uncheck this option.

Paper and Orientation

Adjust paper size, A4 or Letter, and orientation, portrait or landscape. These choices affect how the final PDF looks, especially when you want a specific output format.

Using the Photos App to Print to PDF

For a single image, use the Windows Photos app. Open a JPG in Photos, then press Ctrl+P to open the print dialog. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer, adjust layout and paper settings, and click Print. This method saves one image as a PDF. It does not combine multiple JPGs into one PDF in a single step. To build a multi-page PDF, repeat the process for each image and then merge the resulting PDFs separately.

Limitations of the Built-in Method

Microsoft Print to PDF is convenient and free, but it has drawbacks:

  • Cropping control: The Fit picture to frame option crops images unexpectedly. Unticking it avoids cropping but may leave uneven white margins.
  • No reordering: The Print Pictures dialog uses the order in which you select files. To get a specific sequence, rename or reorder files before selecting them.
  • One PDF per print job: You cannot add more images to an existing PDF. Each print session creates a new PDF file.
  • Limited file types: The built-in method works with JPGs you can view in Windows. It may not handle PNG files smoothly in the Print Pictures dialog.

If you convert JPG to PDF frequently, these limitations frustrate.

When the Online Tool is Simpler

If the built-in method feels clunky or you want more control, use the jpg2pdf.tools online tool. Upload your JPGs. The tool accepts .jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, and .png files, and places one image per page in the order you add them. Images are embedded at quality 90, with no watermark. There is no risk of accidental cropping because the tool does not apply a Fit picture to frame style crop. It is free and requires no installation. For a quick conversion, especially when you need to combine JPGs into a single PDF without fiddling with printer settings, use the online tool.

Choosing the Right Method

Use Microsoft Print to PDF when you already have the images in File Explorer and want a quick PDF without uploading files. It is built into the operating system, so it works offline. Use the online tool when you need precise control over image placement, want to avoid any cropping, or need to work with PNG files. The online tool handles reordering by letting you add files in the order you want. Try both methods once. The one that fits your workflow will be obvious.