How to Remove Personal Information From Files Metadata on Windows 11

When you share a photo, document, or video online, you might be giving away more than you think. Hidden inside many files is metadata—details like your name, location, camera model, or even the last time you edited the file. On Windows 11, it’s easy to clean this up before sharing.

Here’s how to strip personal information from your files’ metadata using built-in tools—no extra software needed.

What Is Metadata, and Why Should You Care?

Metadata is background information automatically stored with your files. For example:

• Photos may include GPS location, camera settings, and the date/time taken.
• Word docs might list your name, company, and editing history.
• PDFs can show who created them and on what device.

This data can be helpful for organizing files—but it’s also a privacy risk when sharing files publicly or with people you don’t fully trust.

How to View and Remove Metadata on Windows 11

Step 1: Right-Click the File

Find the file you want to clean. Right-click it and choose Properties from the context menu.

Step 2: Go to the Details Tab

In the Properties window, click the Details tab. Here, you’ll see all the metadata Windows can detect: author, camera model, date taken, GPS coordinates, and more.

Step 3: Remove Metadata

At the bottom of the Details tab, click Remove Properties and Personal Information.

You’ll see two options:

• Create a copy with all possible properties removed – This keeps your original file and makes a new, cleaner version.
• Remove the following properties from this file – Lets you manually uncheck specific data fields to remove.

Choose the option that fits your needs. Click OK when done.

A Few Notes

• Not all metadata can be removed this way. Some files (especially PDFs or certain image formats) may require third-party tools for full scrubbing.
• Batch removal isn’t available directly through File Explorer. You’ll need to handle files one by one, or use PowerShell or specialized tools if you have a lot of files.
• Originals stay untouched if you choose to create a copy—great for preserving the file history while keeping the shared version clean.

Quick Tip: For Photos, Check Your Camera Settings Too

If you don’t want location data in your pictures, turn off GPS tagging in your camera or phone settings. This prevents that info from being added in the first place.

Bottom Line

Before uploading or emailing files, it’s smart to check for hidden personal data. Windows 11 makes this simple with a few clicks, helping you stay in control of what you’re really sharing.

Have questions or want to automate this for lots of files? Drop a comment below—I’ll help however I can.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!