Image files often contain hidden information about the image and it's creator, so called metadata tags. These tags are written to the files by digital cameras and software that manipulate the image. There are many different tags, such as Exif, IPTC & XMP.
Although mostly a useful compliment to the image, there are many reasons why you would want to remove these tags before publishing an image. Read here for a discussion on the topic.
This program allows you to easily delete the Exif tag and other metadata tags. By doing so before publishing an image you take an active step toward protecting your privacy on the Internet!
This program is mainly aimed at processing JPEG files, but also supports the following image formats: ARQ, ARW, CR2, CR3, CRW, CIFF, CS1, DCP, DNG, EPS, EPSF, FFF, FLIF, IND, INSP, ERF, HDP, HEIC, HEIF, WDP, JP2, JPX, JPEG, JXL, MEF, MIE, MOS, MPO, MRW, NEF, NRW, ORF, ORI, PEF, PS, PSB, RAF, RAW, RW2, RWL, SR2, SRW, THM, TIFF, VRD & X3F.
The following metadata tags and thumbnails can be removed: Exif, Exif GPS, XMP, IPTC, Photoshop, ICC, Jpeg Comment, GeoTIFF, TIFF IFD0, AFCP, CanonVRD, FotoStation, PhotoMechanic, MIE, Ducky & MakerNotes. Thumbnails are also removed and file dates can be obfuscated.
Disclaimer: Exif Tag Remover does not guarantee that all selected tags are completely removed. Always check the resulting files.
Using Exif Tag Remover should be self explanatory. The wizard will guide you though a few simple steps and then start processing the images to remove the selected tags. You will get to chose where to put the cleaned images before starting. If you choose to overwrite the original files, make sure that you have backups somewhere else!
Tip: When adding files, double click a file in the list to view all the metadata found in the image. After processing, the resulting files are also listed. Again, you can double click to view the metadata (or rather the lack thereof).
Exif Tag Remover will do its best to remove the selected tags without affecting the actual image. Sometimes it is however not technically possible or desirable:
- Some tags contain information used by the file format. You can still see such tags. They should not contain any personal information though.
- Adobe APP14 in JPEG:s is not deleted by default when selecting ALL tags. You can manually select to remove it, but doing so may affect the appearance of the image. It contains no personal information, but indicates that an Adobe product has been used.
- IFD0 cannot technically be completely removed from images based on the TIFF file formats. There may be Exif related information left in this tag. TIFF based formats include ARQ, ARW, CR2, DNG, ERF, EXIF, FFF, HDP, WDP, JXR, IIQ, MEF, MOS, NEF, NRW, ORF, ORI, PEF, RW2, RWL, SR2 & SRW.
- RAW formats can contain metadata that is necessary for proper rendering the image. Removing all metadata is not recommended.
- Removing the ICC color profile may alter the appearance of the image.
This program is Shareware. Register to unlock all features!
Command line arguments
Exif Tag Remover accepts the following command line arguments:
If an existing folder path is supplied, Exif Tag Remove will automatically load all images in this folder:
Use quotes if the folder name contains spaces:
ExifRem.exe "c:\folder name with spaces"
Adding -auto in front of the folder will tell Exif Tag Remover to not only load the images in this folder, but also to immediately start processing these files:
ExifRem.exe -auto "c:\test"
Note that when using the -auto mode, Exif Tag Remover will simply use the saved settings from the previous session. You can use the portable version to avoid some of the problems associated with this. The portable version saves settings in its own folder. This means that you can make a copy of the application folder to keep multiple copies of the application, each with its own individual setting.
Tips:
- Create a shortcut to Exif Tag Remover on the desktop. Then you can simply drop folders onto this shortcut to load the content at startup!
- With the above shortcut, right click on it and select properties. There should be a "target" box pointing at the exe. Add " -auto" to the end of this. Now when you drop a folder on the shortcut, it will load the content and then automatically process them!
About RL Vision
Version History
|
6.01
|
|
Fixed a few issues found in last release
Released 2023-08-27
|
|
6.0
|
|
Added support for removing GeoTIFF tags!
Added built in metadata viewer! (Double click a file to view all tags.)
Added option to force remove Adobe APP14 tags
Support 15 new file format!
Write more about limitations in manual and app
Some smaller bug fixes
Released 2023-01-08
|
|
5.1
|
|
Added command line arguments for automation
Added option to move erroneous files to folder or recycle bin
Released 2015-03-10
|
|
5.01
|
|
Smaller improvements for high dpi settings
Minor update to Exif engine
Released 2014-06-14
|
|
5.0
|
|
Order of magnitude speed increase!
Ability to handle mode than 32k files
Minor fixes & updated exif codebase
Released 2014-01-16
|
|
4.3
|
|
Added option to randomly obfuscate file dates!
Fixed problems with adding some filetypes.
Released 2012-06-06
|
|
4.2
|
|
Program is now much fast when adding lots of files!
Improved exif codebase with support for FFF files.
Released 2012-01-03
|
|
4.1
|
|
You can now choose what date to use when "resetting file dates".
Released 2011-05-18
|
|
4.01
|
|
Fixed two bugs when overwriting original files.
Released 2010-09-25
|
|
4.0
|
|
Support for removing data in Tiff IDF0 tag
Added option to reset file dates
New add folder button + drag & drop support for folders
Support for even more file formats!
Added extra page in the wizard as a break before starting
Some tweaks & visual enhancements
Some bug fixes too
Released 2010-09-19
|
|
3.0
|
|
Updated engine with even more file formats and tags supported
Added option for removing Photoshop tag & thumbnail
Added option for removing ICC Profile
Settings are now saved
Added error log if something went wrong
Drag & drop support, tooltips and other interface enhancements
Several bugs fixed
Program is now shareware
Released 2009-07-10
|
|
2.0
|
|
New engine with support for 25+ image formats and 10+ tag formats!
Added prefix & suffix naming options
Released 2008-05-06
|
|
1.01
|
|
Fixed a setup problem on some computers
Released 2007-10-20
|
|
1.0
|
|
First public release
Released 2007-10-13
|
EULA
You can read the RL Vision EULA (End User License Agreement) here.
Credits
This program is based on ExifTool by Phil Harvey, licensed under the artistic license.
© 2007-2023 RL Vision.
|