How to remove metadata from a file
Start with one supported file. Metadata Remover reads it, groups recognized fields by namespace, and waits for your choice before changing anything. After you choose a preset or fields, it prepares a cleaned copy and a plain-text removal report in browser memory.
- Drop a file onto Drop a file here to inspect its metadata or click browse files. The tool accepts one file at a time.
- Review the fields under each namespace. Inspection does not remove anything.
- Choose Remove all metadata (recommended), Keep author/copyright, remove the rest, or Custom selection. The cleaned result updates automatically.
- Click Download cleaned file. Click Download removal report to save the text record.
How to remove metadata from a PDF, image, audio file, or Office document
Metadata Remover recognizes JPEG, PNG, WebP, PDF, MP3, WAV, FLAC, and OOXML Office files such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. It groups the fields it finds under names such as EXIF, IPTC / Photoshop, XMP, PDF Info, ID3, Vorbis comments, WAV INFO, and document properties.
For example, a PDF Info field can be selected before the file is rewritten:
Before: PDF Info / Title = (empty)
Choice: remove Title
After: Title is listed in the removal reportThe report lists recognized fields that were removed or kept. A supported file may have no recognized metadata. Metadata inside individual PDF images or attachments is not scanned.
Can you remove EXIF metadata selectively?
Selection depends on the format. JPEG EXIF, IPTC / Photoshop, and XMP are whole blocks. PNG text chunks can be selected one by one, while eXIf and tIME are whole chunks. WebP EXIF and XMP are whole chunks. PDF Info keys, MP3 ID3v2 frames, WAV INFO tags, and FLAC Vorbis comments are individual fields. OOXML core and custom properties are individual fields; app.xml properties are one block. MP3 ID3v1, WAV bext and embedded ID3, and FLAC picture data are whole blocks.
Keep author/copyright, remove the rest keeps labels or keys matching author, artist, creator, copyright, by-line, or composer. Choose Custom selection for another set.
What happens to the file after metadata removal?
Removing metadata leaves image pixels, PDF page content and fonts, audio sample data, and OOXML document body content in place. The tool does not redact or blur visible content. PDF and Office downloads are regenerated, so their bytes or size can change. The downloaded name adds -cleaned before the original extension.
MP4, MOV, M4V, M4A, 3GP, AVI, MKV, WEBM, HEIC, HEIF, Ogg, GIF, TIFF-based raw photo formats, and legacy binary Office files such as .doc, .xls, and .ppt are unsupported. The tool removes only recognized metadata structures and does not claim secure or forensic deletion.
Examples by file type
A JPEG with camera or GPS fields exposes those values under EXIF. Select the EXIF block to remove them while leaving the image pixels unchanged.
A PDF or .docx can be cleaned before sharing. Keep the removal report with the downloaded copy.
An MP3 lets you select ID3v2 frames individually. A FLAC file lets you select Vorbis comment fields or embedded picture blocks.
Metadata Remover or Filename Sanitizer?
File Management Clean Tools covers embedded file data and file names. Use Metadata Remover for fields inside a file. Use Filename Sanitizer to change names, character rules, case, extensions, length, or collision handling.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove metadata from a photo?
Drop a JPEG, PNG, or WebP onto Drop a file here to inspect its metadata, review the namespaces, choose a preset or fields, and click Download cleaned file. The image pixels remain unchanged.
Can I remove EXIF metadata without changing the image?
Yes. JPEG EXIF is one block, and removing it leaves the image pixels unchanged. The cleaned file can still have different bytes because the metadata segment was removed.
Can I remove metadata from a PDF?
Yes. PDF Info keys are individual fields, while the XMP metadata stream is one block. PDF page content and fonts remain in place, and the saved PDF is regenerated.
Does Metadata Remover upload my files?
No. The file is read, inspected, and rewritten in browser memory. Nothing in this page sends the file to a server.
Can I keep author or copyright metadata?
Yes. Choose Keep author/copyright, remove the rest to keep matching author, artist, creator, copyright, by-line, or composer fields and remove the other recognized fields.