How to Remove Metadata from PNG Images (Windows, ExifTool & Bulk Tool)
Do you often share your PNG images with others? Do you know that these images have metadata such as copyright information, author names and even text chunks embedded in them? This information is no doubt important in many scenarios, but it can also reveal sensitive information or leave unwanted tracks if you post online.
If you are concerned about this metadata and want to remove it from your PNG images, then this article is for you. In this article, we will explain best ways to remove metadata from PNG images without affecting other aspects. So, let’s begin.
What Metadata Does a PNG File Contain?
PNG stores extra information in separate blocks called chunks. These are apart from the pixel data. Here is what you will find:
| Metadata Type | Where It’s Stored | What It Can Reveal |
|---|---|---|
| EXIF | eXIf chunk | Device, software, capture date |
| XMP | iTXt chunk | Author, copyright, & editing history |
| Text Chunks | tEXt, zTXt, iTXt | Titles, comments, descriptions, & software notes |
| Timestamp | tIME chunk | Last modification time |
You should know that not every PNG has all of these. Screenshots, exports from design tools and photos converted to PNG all carry different amounts.
Why Remove Metadata from PNG Images?
Metadata removal from PNGs can enhance privacy and security. The most common reasons include:
- Metadata can include personal or business information that you don’t want to share.
- Metadata can reveal information about how and where an image was taken.
- Designers and businesses generally strip metadata from images before uploading them on websites or sharing them with clients.
- Screenshots may contain device metadata you don’t want to share.
- Businesses may need to strip metadata from large numbers of PNG images.
How to Check PNG Metadata before Removing It?
You need to check what metadata is stored inside the PNG image before deleting it.
Method 1: Check with Windows Properties
- Right-click the PNG file
- Select “Properties”
- Open the “Details” tab
- Review available image properties
Method 2: Check with ExifTool
You can use ExifTool to check embedded metadata in a PNG photo.
exiftool image.png
This method can show metadata fields and text chunks in the PNG file.
Method 3: Check with a Metadata Viewer
You can also use metadata viewer tools to detect:
- EXIF records
- XMP properties
- Hidden text chunks
- Embedded author information & more
How to Remove Metadata from PNG Images?
There are several ways to clean PNG file metadata including:
- Windows properties
- ExifTool
- Professional tool
Each method has its own significance. Let’s go over each method one by one.
Method 1: Scrub Metadata in PNG Using Windows Properties
- Right-click PNG image
- Select Properties
- Now, go to the “Details” tab.
- Click the “Remove Properties and Personal Information”.
- Select “Remove the following properties from the file”
- Then, click “Select All” and then OK
Note – This can remove all visible properties. However, it fails to eliminate all embedded chunks.
Method 2: Remove PNG Metadata Using ExifTool
You have to run:
exiftool -all= image.png
Method 3: Professional Tool to Scrub Hidden Data from PNG Files
The 4n6 metadata remover tool allows you to remove metadata from multiple PNG files at the same time. It is a safe and secure tool that just removes hidden data while preserving quality and resolution of the PNG image. This software is easy to use and is useful for both technical and non-technical professionals.
This tool is available in free version. You can download the tool now and then can refer to the steps below to learn how this software works.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Metadata from Batch PNG Images
- Download, install and start the software and click the Open button.
- Now, select Images from the drop-down menu.
- Now choose the PNG images and load your data by selecting Choose Files or Choose Folders.
- The application instantly loads all the selected images. You can get the preview of your PNG images.
- Now, click on Actions button and choose clear metadata.
- Choose the destination path where you need to get the resultant files. Finally, click the Save button to begin the process.
You can see that the app starts removing metadata from PNG images. This process will only take a few moments. So, please wait.
Why Choose PNG Metadata Remover over Manual Methods
- Comes up with the very simple and user-friendly graphical user interface to delete metadata from PNG files.
- Allows you to remove metadata from multiple PNG images at the same time.
- Allows to scrub metadata from selected PNG files as per the requirements.
- This PNG Metadata Extractor provides dual modes such as Choose Files or Folders to load PNG images.
- You can choose the location where you need to get the resultant files after removing PNG metadata.
- In addition to the PNGs, the software can also remove metadata from JPG and other files.
- You can download and run this app on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and earlier edition.
Manual vs Software Method: Comparison
| Feature | Windows Properties | ExifTool | 4n6 PNG Metadata Remover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Easy | Needs command line | Easy |
| Batch Processing | Limited | Yes, with commands | Yes |
| Hidden Text Chunk Removal | Not reliable | Yes | Yes |
| Preview Before Cleaning | No | No | Yes |
| Cost | Free | Free | Paid (free version available) |
Windows is only fine for a file or two. ExifTool is powerful if you are comfortable with commands. A graphical tool is more ideal when you need to preview files and clean whole folders without typing anything.
Does Removing Metadata Reduce PNG Quality?
No. PNG is a lossless format, and metadata sits in its own chunks. Therefore, removing those chunks does not change resolution, colors or sharpness. The only real risk is overwriting your original file, so keep a backup of your originals.
Metadata Removal vs Hidden Data Removal
These are not always the same. Please check the differences between them.
Metadata Removal
It removes properties such as:
- EXIF data
- XMP data
- Author tags
- Timestamps
Hidden Data Removal
It can involve removing:
- PNG text chunks
- Attached comments
- Ancillary hidden data
Frequently Asked Questions
Do PNG files contain EXIF data?
Yes, they do. PNG supports EXIF data. But it is only there if the software that created the PNG file added it.
Can screenshots contain metadata?
Yes. Screenshots may include timestamps, software details and also device information. However, it totally depends on the tool used to capture them.
How do I remove metadata from multiple PNG files at once?
You can use ExifTool, and run exiftool -all= -overwrite_original *.png in the folder. You may also use a 4n6 PNG metadata remover to clear all metadata from many PNGs at once.
Does Windows remove all PNG metadata?
Not always. It only removes the visible properties. However, it may leave some embedded text chunks behind. Therefore, you must check the result with ExifTool if privacy matters.
How to confirm the metadata was removed?
You may run exiftool image.png on the cleaned file. And if only basic fields like size & color type remain, the cleanup worked.
Is metadata removal reversible?
No, once the metadata is removed and the file is saved, the data cannot be recovered from that copy. You should keep the original file if you may need that information later.
Conclusion
You can remove PNG metadata in 3 ways: Windows Properties for quick cleaning, ExifTool for full control, and a bulk tool for large collections. All three methods are reliable and keeps image quality intact. So choose the one that fits your volume and comfort level, and always check the cleaned file before you share it.
