FILEminimizer Office, FILEminimizer Suite and FILEminimizer Server Support

Having a problem with FILEminimizer? Our FAQ section will help you find your answer.

Still can't find the answer to your problem? Use our contact form to submit your query.

FAQ Section

1. Edition Comparison: What are the differences between FILEminimizer Office, FILEminimizer Pictures and FILEminimizer Suite?
   • Please click here to see the different features of each FILEminimizer edition.
   • x Close
2. Registration: How do I register my full version? (Video Tutorial)
   • In order to register your full version of FILEminimizer you will need to enter your registration code into the program.
   • View video
   • x Close
3. Serial Number: My serial number and registration details are not working?
   • The registration details compose of three pieces of information: "Serial Number", "Field #1" and "Field #2" - all information is necessary to successfully register your software.
   • To ensure that you do not have any problems with your registration of FILEminimizer, please Copy and Paste the information directly from the email sent to you into the appropriate registration fields.
   • View the following screenshot to help you further with the process.
   • 
   • x Close
4. Activation: How do I activate FILEminimizer? (Video Tutorial)
   • After successful registration of FILEminimizer, activation is necessary.
   • View video
   • x Close
5. Activation: The online activation of the software didn't work what happened? (Video Tutorial)
   • View video
   • x Close
6. Registration: I've lost my registration information and/or application download link. How can I get them back?
   • Please use our online contact form or send an e-mail to support@balesio.com.
   • Provide us with your Cleverbridge reference number. It is contained within the subject of the e-mail confirmation you received after completing your purchase, as well as on your invoice.
   • Please note that without this information, balesio software will have to charge you for a registration information recovery fee.
   • x Close
7. Registration: I've downloaded the latest version of FILEminimizer and my registration code no longer works. What should I do?
   • This is probably because you have a registration code for an older version of FILEminimizer (formerly PPTminimizer) and have downloaded the current version. You can purchase an upgrade to the current version of FILEminimizer by visiting our online shop.
   • Customers that have a valid Premium Pack can upgrade free of charge. Please contact us for your new registration code.
   • x Close
8. Technical Support: Am I entitled to technical support?
   • Every registered balesio customer is entitled to our technical support. However, due to the large volume of queries received by our sales and support teams, priority levels for responding to these queries are determined as follows:
     1. Registered customers having a valid Premium Pack (a yearly fee including all software updates, upgrades and technical support)
     2. Registered customers
     3. Non-registered customers with general support enquiries
   • balesio thanks you in advance for your understanding.
   • For registered customers with a support query, please provide us with your Cleverbridge reference number. This can be found in the subject field of the e-mail confirmation you received after completing your purchase, as well as on your invoice.
   • x Close
9. Technical Support: What sort of information should I provide for a support enquiry?
   • When reporting problems, please include the following information:
     1. Can you reproduce the problem again if required? If so, how?
     2. Which version of Windows operating system are you running (Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc.)?
     3. Which balesio software and product version are you running (see "About FILEminimizer" in the Help menu)? Please include the complete "version" in your problem report.
     4. If a dialog box with an error message was displayed, please include the full text of the dialog box, including the text in the title bar.
   • x Close
10. Microsoft PowerPoint: Which kind of PowerPoint files can I compress?
    • You can optimize any PowerPoint file created using any version of Microsoft PowerPoint 97 to 2010. FILEminimizer fully supports all new Office 2010 formats (PPTX). Files that have been created with OpenOffice or StarOffice can also be optimized provided they are saved in the Microsoft PowerPoint format.
    • x Close
11. Microsoft Word: Which kind of Word files can I compress?
    • You can optimize any Word file created using any version of Microsoft Word 97 to 2010. FILEminimizer fully supports all new Office 2010 formats (DOCX). Files that have been created with OpenOffice or StarOffice can also be optimized provided they are saved in the Microsoft Word format.
    • x Close
12. Microsoft Excel: Which kind of Excel files can I compress?
    • You can optimize any Excel spreadsheet created using any version of Microsoft Excel 97 to 2010. FILEminimizer fully supports all new Office 2010 formats (XLSX). Files that have been created with OpenOffice or StarOffice can also be optimized provided they are saved in the Microsoft Excel format.
    • x Close
13. Images: What kind of pictures and images can I compress? (FILEminimizer Suite)
    • You can optimize any picture, graphic or photo saved in one of the following formats: JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, EMF and TIFF.
    • x Close
14. Microsoft Outlook: Which versions of Microsoft Outlook will the add-in work with?
    • The add-in will work with all versions above and including Outlook 2000.
    • x Close
15. Lotus Notes: Which versions of IBM Lotus Notes will the add-in work with?
    • The add-in will work with all version above and including Lotus Notes 6.0.
    • x Close
16. Email: I cannot e-mail my files with the "Pack & Go" or the "E-mail Files" button.
    • This function is using the MAPI interface of Windows. Over this interface the application hands over the data to the operating system, which will send it to the appropriate e-mailing software. If your e-mailing software does not support this MAPI interface, you will get an error message. Please check if your e-mail program supports this interface and check also if the software is assigned as default e-mail program over the Internet Options.
    • x Close
17. Compression Rate: I compressed my files and the compression is very small. What happened?
    • FILEminimizer optimizes graphics, pictures and embedded objects contained in PowerPoint, Word and Excel files. Some of the following elements could explain small compression results:
      • You have audio or video files in your PPT or PPS slideshow
      • You work on large Excel spreadsheets containing a lot of macros but no or few images
      • Your files are encrypted and/or in use while optimizing
      • You are trying to optimize damaged or corrupted files
      • You are trying to optimize very old files (Office 95 or earlier)
    • x Close
18. Compression Rate: I compressed my pictures and graphics and some of them were resized although it was not my wish. What happened? (FILEminimizer Suite)
    • FILEminimizer uses an intelligent method which optimizes graphics and pictures to automatically create the best relationship between image size, dimension and quality.
    • When the dimensions are too big, and the user has chosen the maximum compression rate, it often leads to the creation of an optimized copy which is a bit resized. This may not happen if you choose the "Standard" or lower compression rates.
    • If you wish to keep the original dimensions, go to Options | Configuration | Settings for images and untick the box "Allow image to be resized".
    • 
    • x Close
19. Compression Rate: I compressed my pictures and graphics and some of them were converted into another format. What happened? (FILEminimizer Suite)
    • FILEminimizer uses an intelligent technique which optimizes graphics and pictures to automatically create the best relationship between image size, dimension and quality.
    • When the pictures are saved in a format which can be optimized, FILEminimizer converts it into another one which will allow the highest weight reduction.
    • If you wish to keep the original file format, go to Options | Configuration | Settings for images and select the option "Keep original image format".
    • 
    • x Close
20. Compression Settings: What is the option "Use only for the output of lossless image format"? (FILEminimizer Suite)
    • As FILEminimizer uses an intelligent optimization technique, the software always looks for the highest compression rate for the pictures. For large TIFF or BMP files, it will often lead to a conversion into a JPEG file.
    • JPEG files are small in size but do not support transparency.
    • If you wish to keep the original quality of your pictures and ensure that the output file is a lossless format, go to Options | Configuration | Settings for images and tick the box "Use only for the output of lossless image format".
    • 
    • x Close
21. Batch Process: Can I select and optimize several files as a batch process?
    • Yes, this is possible. There are different ways to achieve this:
      1. Browse to the location of your files with Windows Explorer or the FILEminimizer search function
      2. Choose several of your files or just press CTRL + A to select all files
      3. Right click on the selected files and choose "FILEminimizer" in the context menu to load all of the compatible files into FILEminimizer
      4. If FILEminimizer is open, you can "Drag & Drop" the files directly into the program
      5. You can also use the "Open" option, on the toolbar, within FILEminimizer to choose your files to optimize
    • x Close
22. Trial Version: What are the limitations of the trial version?
    • We offer a 30 day trial version, available for download. The software is fully functional, however watermarks will appear in all of the images in your files.
    • x Close
23. System Requirements: What are the system requirements for FILEminimizer?
    • With FILEminimizer you can choose to install and use different add-ins. Please refer to the following requirements for the specific program part:

    • Function	Requirements
      * FILEminimizer Server only
      Main Program	Windows 8, Windows 7, XP, Vista, Server 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2012 * Minimum 266MHz Pentium or compatible CPU 512B RAM 30MB of available hard disk space No PowerPoint, Word or Excel installation required
      Windows Explorer Add-in	Windows 8, Windows 7, XP, Vista, Server 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2012 *
      Microsoft Outlook Add-in	Microsoft Outlook 2000 - 2013
      Microsoft PowerPoint Add-in	Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 - 2013 (PPTX)
      Microsoft Word Add-in	Microsoft Word 2000 - 2013 (DOCX)
      Microsoft Excel Add-in	Microsoft Excel 2000 - 2013 (XLSX)

    • x Close
24. Compression Rate: By how much will FILEminimizer compress my PowerPoint, Word and Excel files?
    • This depends on the compression setting you choose as well as the characteristics of the file being compressed. Don't be surprised when you reach compression levels of up to 98% (with high compression level). Average compression rate is 70%.
    • x Close
25. Terminal Server: Does FILEminimizer work with Terminal Server or Citrix?
    • FILEminimizer has been tested on Citrix Metaframe Presentation Server and Microsoft Terminal Server.
    • x Close
26. Internal Software Distribution: Is it possible to deploy FILEminimizer with distribution software such as Symantec Altiris or Microsoft SMS/SCCM?
    • Yes, to make things simple we have developed an MSI package for easy deployment.
    • To make things even easier during the deployment we have created transfer files that can be used in conjunction with the deployment.
    • If you would like more information on the installation documentation please contact us.
    • x Close
27. Languages: What languages is FILEminimizer supported in?
    • Yes. FILEminimizer supports English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. With just one click, you can easily switch from one language to another within the actual program.
    • x Close
28. Microsoft Office: Can I use FILEminimizer without having Microsoft PowerPoint, Word or Excel installed?
    • Yes. FILEminimizer does not require Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel to be installed.
    • x Close
29. Drag & Drop: Can I drag the Office file onto the FILEminimizer icon?
    • Yes you can simply drag the Office file onto the icon and the file will be put into the queue.
    • x Close
30. Optimization: Once FILEminimizer has optimized a file can I undo the optimization?
    • No. You will have to use the original file.
    • x Close
31. Embedded Objects: I get the pop up message "Flatten embedded objects". What does it mean?
    • It is possible to insert different objects in an Office file, commonly-used objects are from Excel or Word. If you choose to flatten your embedded objects they will be converted into a picture and not be editable anymore.
    • x Close
32. Optimization: Will FILEminimizer delete or destroy my original file?
    • No. FILEminimizer creates a copy in a folder that you specify and also allows you to select the file name.
    • x Close
33. Windows Explorer: Can I integrate FILEminimizer with my Windows environment?
    • Yes. FILEminimizer has shell context menu integration. Simply right mouse click on the file and select "FILEminimizer".
    • x Close
34. Compression Software: Will compression software such as Zip and Rar programs do the same job?
    • No. Compression software such as WinZip or WinRAR work by compressing the raw data in your files, whereas FILEminimizer uses a number of different compression methods to optimize them. Therefore FILEminimizer will typically achieve a much greater compression rate with media-rich files. Additionally, with FILEminimizer there is no need to unzip your files before using them.
    • x Close
35. Microsoft Office Compression: Will the "Compress Pictures" feature in Microsoft Office do the same thing as FILEminimizer?
    • FILEminimizer will achieve significantly better results than the "Compress Pictures" feature in Microsoft Office. This is because FILEminimizer intelligently selects the most appropriate format and compression level for each image in your document, spreadsheet or presentation, while the "Compress Pictures" feature merely reduces the image resolution and discards any hidden information. Additionally FILEminimizer allows you to flatten any embedded documents in your file.
    • x Close
36. Installation: If I send an optimized file to someone, do they need a copy of FILEminimizer to open it at their end?
    • No. The optimized file remains in its original format and can be opened like any other Office file.
    • x Close
37. SDK: What is the FILEminimizer "Software Development Kit"?
    • The FILEminimizer "Software Development Kit" is a Windows-DLL containing the optimization routine of FILEminimizer. The SDK allows organizations to customize the FILEminimizer functionality according to their special needs and environment and therefore offers the most flexibility. balesio offers free technical support for the first-time use of the SDK.
    • x Close
38. Microsoft Office Alternatives: Does FILEminimizer work with any other Office suites?
    • FILEminimizer will also optimize files created using other Office suites, such as OpenOffice, StarOffice or Google Docs, providing they have been saved in the Microsoft Office file formats (such as .DOC, .XLS and .PPT or .DOCX, .XLSX and .PPTX).
    • x Close
39. Optimization: Can I still edit my files after I have optimized them?
    • Yes. FILEminimizer will not affect the structure or layout of your Word, PowerPoint or Excel files.
    • x Close
40. Drag & Drop: I've tried dragging a file onto the FILEminimizer icon, but nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong?
    • You have probably already opened FILEminimizer. If FILEminimizer is already open, you should drag a file into the FILEminimizer window, rather than its icon. Also, please check whether the file you want to compress is already open or write-protected.
    • x Close
41. Mac: Is there a Mac version of FILEminimizer?
    • There is no special version of FILEminimizer available for Office for Mac.
    • The tool can in fact compress Office for Mac files, given they have been saved as with a Microsoft Office file extension. The problem with running FILEminimizer on a Mac is that the executable file (FILEminimizer.exe) cannot be run under Mac.
    • x Close
42. Extendend & Compact Editions: What is the difference between FILEminimizer Extended Edition and FILEminimizer Compact Edition? (FILEminimizer Office)
    • The FILEminimizer Extended Edition requires the installation of the program on workstations or laptops. This edition includes all extra functionality, such as the Excel plug-in, Word plug-in, Outlook plug-in, PowerPoint plug-in and Windows Explorer plug-in.
    • The FILEminimizer Compact Edition does not require an installation of the software. It runs the program directly from the executable file (.exe). This edition is therefore ideal for users who are not allowed to install software on the desktop they are working on and would therefore run the software from a USB flash drive or a CD. This edition only contains the Pack'n'Go functionality and the Search Wizard, but none of the convenient plug-ins can be used, as these would require installation.
    • x Close
43. Licensing: How does licensing work with FILEminimizer?
    • The license of the Extended Edition is limited to the user that the license is registered to. If you want to copy it to another desktop or make it available to another user on the same desktop, you will have to purchase another license.
    • The license of the Compact Edition is limited to the USB flash drive or the CD that the license is registered to. If you want to install it on another USB flash drive or the CD, you will have to purchase another license.
    • The license for FILEminimizer Server is limited to the purchased optimization volume. If you want FILEminimizer Server to compress files on more than one server, you will have to license FILEminimizer Server for the aggregate optimization volume or for a mix of server licenses and optimization volume.

    • FILEminimizer Server Example 1: You have a total of 10TB of data volume (Microsoft Office, image and PDF files) stored on a NAS or SAN. You need FILEminimizer Server with a license to optimize 10TB.

      FILEminimizer Server Example 2: You have 2 servers with 5TB and 2TB of data volume stored (Microsoft Office, image and PDF files). To optimize the whole data volume you can either have 2x FILEminimizer Server licenses with an optimization volume of 5TB for server 1 and 2TB for server 2 or 1x FILEminimizer Server license with an optimization volume of 7TB.

    • x Close

Still can't find the answer to your problem? Use our contact form to submit your query.