If you use Windows XP, go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspxand download the "image resizer" (at right). Once installed, you can create a smaller picture by right-clicking a file and choose "resize" and then "medium".
Should work wonders, as do most of the tools at the above link such as the Alt-Tab tool, Tweak-UI, Synctoy! I'm not sure, but I think the image resizer also adds "routate (counter) clockwise" when you right-click an image. No photo software required.