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Clean Metadata guide

Remove metadata from a folder of files on Windows

Right-click a folder and choose Clean Metadata → Create clean copy. Choose whether to include subfolders, then review the result for each file.

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Before you start

  • Clean Metadata on Windows 11 24H2 or later (x64), with full access or trial uses remaining.
  • A small test folder below the root of a local NTFS drive, enough free space and a separate backup.

Using the free trial? Copy and replacement share five uses. Only verified personal-metadata cleanup kept after the batch finishes counts. How the free trial works.

Follow these steps

  1. Try a small folder

    Put a few sample photos or documents and a subfolder in one test folder. Close apps that are changing them. Select the folder itself in File Explorer.

  2. Choose Create clean copy

    Right-click the folder, open Clean Metadata and choose Create clean copy. Keep the originals while you check this first batch.

  3. Choose whether to include subfolders

    If Include subfolders? appears, choose Selected folders only for files directly inside the chosen folder. Choose Include subfolders to process the folders inside it too.

    Clean Metadata asks whether to include the Recordings subfolder visible in File Explorer.
    Include subfolders also processes the files inside Recordings. Enlarge image.
    1. Choose Include subfolders to include the recording.

  4. Check the results

    Wait for completion, then read each file's result on the finished screen. Check its status, removed-field count, output path and any skipped-file or retained-field notes rather than relying only on the batch total.

    Clean Metadata shows two cleaned files, one skipped file and no errors for the photo and recording folder.
    Read each file’s result below the totals. Enlarge image.
    1. Check how many files were cleaned or skipped.

  5. Open the output folder

    In File Explorer, open the folder containing your source folder. Look for the reported output folder, normally ending in - processed; a number avoids an existing name. Outputs keep their filenames and subfolder layout. Open the files you need and check them before sharing.

Check your result

  • The chosen subfolder setting matches what you intended.
  • You checked which files were saved, skipped or left unchanged.
  • The files you plan to share open correctly and any retained information is understood.
If you need more help

The output is not a complete folder backup

An unsupported file or one with no removable metadata may have no copy in the output. Empty result folders can also be removed after processing. The - processed folder name does not tell you whether personal fields remain; read each file result.

Keep your original folder and normal backup. Do not replace them with the cleaning result.

When a folder needs attention

If Windows cannot inspect one file’s storage, that file gets a result message and the remaining files can continue. Read every result; a finished batch does not mean every file was cleaned. Unsupported drives still need a supported local NTFS location.

Start smaller if the selection is too large or too deep. Offline placeholders and linked locations may be skipped; use ordinary local files in a supported location.

Cancel attempts to undo changes from the active batch, including removing the copies that batch created. Wait for the final results. An unexpected interruption is different: completed copies can remain. Inspect outputs and any recovery notice before starting another run, and do not delete protected recovery folders while an issue is unresolved.

Need the app?

Clean Metadata. Check requirements and download options.

Clean Metadata on Microsoft Store

Next steps