How to Remove Metadata from Photos on Windows

To remove metadata from photos on Windows, right-click the image file, select Properties, click the Details tab, and click "Remove Properties and Personal Information." However, this built-in method does not remove all metadata — some XMP and IPTC fields may survive. For complete removal of all EXIF, XMP, and IPTC data including GPS coordinates and device serial numbers, use ExifVoid at exifvoid.com in any browser.

Method 1: Windows File Properties (built-in)

Right-click any image file and select Properties. Click the Details tab. You will see a list of metadata fields including camera information, GPS data, dates, and software information. At the bottom of this tab, click "Remove Properties and Personal Information."

Windows gives you two options: create a copy with all possible properties removed, or select specific properties to remove from the original file. The first option is generally safer as it preserves your original and creates a clean copy.

What are the limitations of the Windows method?

The built-in tool has several notable gaps. It does not remove all metadata — some XMP and IPTC fields survive the removal process. It does not visualise what the metadata means — you see raw field names without context about privacy implications. It does not show GPS coordinates on a map. It only works with locally stored files and has inconsistent behaviour across image formats. For an explanation of the different metadata types, see our guide to EXIF vs XMP vs IPTC.

Method 2: Use ExifVoid in any browser

Open any browser on your Windows PC and go to exifvoid.com. Drop your image file into the tool. The Privacy Scan shows you everything embedded in the file — including GPS coordinates displayed on an interactive map, which the Windows Properties dialog does not do. Each metadata category is scored by risk level so you can see exactly what threatens your privacy.

Click clean to remove all metadata and download the sanitised file. The cleaned photo preserves visual quality — ExifVoid uses canvas re-encoding at high quality with automatic orientation handling.

Method 3: Command-line tools for batch processing

For technical users needing to process many files, ExifTool is a powerful command-line option. Install it from exiftool.org, then run "exiftool -all= photo.jpg" to strip all metadata. PowerShell can loop this across folders. However, this requires installing third-party software, comfort with command-line interfaces, and careful handling to avoid corrupting files. For most users, this approach is unnecessarily complex.

Which method should I use?

For a quick one-off removal where thoroughness is not critical, the Windows Properties method works. For anything being shared publicly — marketplace photos, forum posts, professional uploads — use ExifVoid for comprehensive removal with the added benefit of seeing exactly what data is in your files. For information about metadata risks when selling online, see our eBay seller guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 11 remove more metadata than Windows 10?

Both versions use the same "Remove Properties and Personal Information" feature with similar limitations. Neither version reliably removes all XMP and IPTC metadata. The gaps are consistent across Windows versions.

Can I remove metadata from multiple photos at once on Windows?

The Windows Properties method allows you to select multiple files and remove properties in bulk. However, the same limitations apply — not all metadata types are fully removed. ExifVoid currently processes files individually, with batch processing planned as a future feature.

Does removing metadata change the file size?

Yes, slightly. Metadata typically adds a few kilobytes to a file. Removing it reduces the file size marginally. The visual content of the image is unaffected.