Why is my SQL Server database file so large?
Simple recovery doesn't make it easier to shrink a log file. It will just empty the log for you (when checkpoint occurs), same thing as you do when you perform a log backup. The thing with a log file, regarding shrink, is that it cannot be shrunk beyond the last used Virtual Log File (VLF). So, examine the VLF layout if you are interested. If just do a log backup and then shrink several times and the last VLF will eventually move towards beginning of the file and the shrink will happen. More info: https://karaszi.com/large-transaction-log-file