ExifTool — The Complete Metadata Guide (2025)

Learn how to safely view, edit, and remove EXIF/IPTC/XMP metadata, automate routine tasks, and when to use quick privacy-first web alternatives.

EXIFIPTCXMPCLI2025Privacy
🔒 Visit MetaRemover.com

Format Support

Images, RAW, Video

FlexibilityVery high

Learning Curve

CLI required

Skill neededMedium/High

Privacy

Local processing

Leak riskLow
260
EXIF fields
20
Video containers
18
Commands shown
2–3
Minutes to result

What is ExifTool

ExifTool is a powerful command-line utility to read, edit, and removeEXIF,IPTC,XMP metadata in images and videos. It’s a staple for photographers, archivists, digital forensics, and developers.

Short answer
For quick one-off removals, a lightweight privacy-first web tool (no server upload) is faster; for large libraries and automation, use ExifTool.
Pro tip
Install ExifTool once and automate: batch cleanup, author fields, tag normalization.

Privacy risks and why removal matters

GPS coordinates

Geotags can reveal home or routes—especially on smartphone shots.

Camera fingerprint

Model/lens and serial fields may help identify the author.

Editing history

XMP/PS fields may leak software, presets, and versions.

Removing metadata doesn’t reduce image quality

Only textual/aux data changes—pixels remain intact.

Install ExifTool

Windows

PowerShell / exe package

# Chocolatey
choco install exiftool# Scoop
scoop install exiftool

Or download from exiftool.org.

Basic ExifTool commands

View metadata

Print all tags

exiftool image.jpg

Add -G1 -a to group output and show duplicates:

exiftool -G1 -a image.jpg

Remove all metadata

Full EXIF/IPTC/XMP purge

exiftool -all= image.jpg

Batch example:

exiftool -all= -overwrite_original *.jpg

Edit specific fields

Author, description, keywords

exiftool -Artist="John Doe" image.jpgexiftool -Description="Shot on tour" image.jpgexiftool -Keywords+="travel" -Keywords+="night" image.jpg

Work with GPS

Remove coordinates

exiftool -gps:all= image.jpg

Full purge + overwrite:

exiftool -gps:all= -all= -overwrite_original image.jpg

Safety tips

  • Always back up originals.
  • Use -overwrite_original with care for large folders.
  • Verify results: run exiftool image.jpg after cleaning.
  • Exporters/converters may re-add tags—double-check the final output.

Tool comparison

A quick, opinionated table (1–5). ExifTool is the most flexible but requires CLI skills. For instant one-offs, use a privacy-first browser-only cleaner (no upload) — a model used by MetaRemover.com.

ToolEasePowerBatchPrivacy
ExifTool (CLI)2555
Desktop GUI (various)4334
Online (privacy-first)5325

When to choose what

Pick ExifTool when…

Large libraries, automation, scripts, precise edits.

Browser cleaning is enough when…

One-offs for social posts, quick checks, no terminal.

Ready-made workflows

Batch cleanup of a folder

Recursive with overwrite

exiftool -r -all= -overwrite_original /path/to/folder

The -r flag walks subfolders. Make sure you have a backup.

  • Backup originals
  • Run the command
  • Spot-check a few files
  • Schedule automation (cron/Task Scheduler)

Keep visuals, drop service tags

No pixel changes

exiftool -all= -tagsFromFile @ -thumbnailimage -overwrite_original image.jpg

Copy only the needed preview data without dragging along service tags.

Heads up
Some apps will re-inject XMP/EXIF on export. Verify at the end of the pipeline.

Mixing CLI and online

Content teams love a “one-click” option for a single image. Typical split:

  • Large libraries: ExifTool
  • Single image: Privacy-first online (e.g., MetaRemover.com)

Verify that metadata is gone

ExifTool

Print tags again:

exiftool image.jpg

EXIF viewers

Browser-only viewers (no server upload) are handy for a quick check.

File properties

Windows: Properties → Details. macOS: Preview → Inspector.

Pre-publish checklist

  • GPS coordinates removed
  • No XMP/EXIF descriptions left
  • Random spot-check done
  • Backup of originals stored

FAQ

Want to remove metadata without the terminal?

For a single photo, a one-click browser tool is simpler—no server upload and no installation.

Remove Metadata Now

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