how do I reduce the size of a jpg file

This feature was available on your earlier photo editing software.  Come on MS - you are going backwards!

There is a way by using the Photo Email menu.  This feature lets you create smaller file sizes. You can then copy the new smaller file to your hard drive.

"You can send pictures and videos stored on your computer as attachments to e‑mail messages.

1. Open Windows Photo Gallery by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Photo Gallery.
2. Click the picture that you want to send in e‑mail.

To select more than one item, hold down the CTRL key while you click the items that you want to select. 3. On the toolbar, click e‑mail. 4. In the Attach Files dialog box, select a picture size from the Picture size list. 5. Click Attach.

Windows opens a new e‑mail message and attaches your picture to the message using your preferred e‑mail program." 6. Copy the new file created as an attachment to your hard drive.

The ability to reduce the size of a picture is available in Windows Essentials Photo Gallery:

1. Select the picture you wish to edit.
2. Left double-click such that the picture shows in the edit frame.
3. This toolbar information will appear.

4. Select Properties.
5. Select Resize.

Went through your steps and finally discovered that it is possible. But I tend to agree with Mike261, it used to be in the editing section before. It was functional and easy enough for everyone to use. But someone in the Microsoft had to go and change the whole CONCEPT and confuse its customers... . Why not leave the parts that were working well anyways? 

Microsoft is going backwards in some sectors, which is a pity... . 

Was a casual devoted MS consumer, but now with all these unnecessary changes or confusions I am starting to look at other platforms.

Glenda_A,

What are you talking about, there IS a file resize function available in Photo Gallery...

To resize files for uploading, simply select them, in the Edit view. In the Properties section of the Edit ribbon, there is a file resize function. Choose your new size, and the files will be resized in a batch and saved as new versions. These can then be uploaded to the web site. After uploading, you can delete the resized versions, and leave just the originals on your PC.