How to Remove Hidden Data & Metadata from PNG Files


PNG image files can contain a wealth of hidden data & metadata. While hidden data & metadata are useful for finding files, they pose privacy and confidentiality risks when the files are shared. The hidden data often contains private and sensitive information, that if unintentionally exposed can cause the file creator and his organization embarrassment with possible financial and legal implications.

PNG image files might contain a large number of various metadata elements. The metadata could be in the form of textual metadata, XMP, Exif data (including thumbnail and geotag), and C2PA Metadata.

The "Remove Properties and Personal Information" feature is not suitable

Windows® 11 has a very limited built-in metadata remover - the "Remove Properties and Personal Information" feature. This feature is completely unsuitable for removing hidden data from PNG files. It can only remove the "Date taken" property. This feature cannot remove at all other PNG metadata elements, such as creator, title, description, location, modified data.

Removing hidden data & metadata from multiple PNG files at once

BatchPurifier™ can permanently remove hidden data & metadata from multiple files at once. It supports multiple types of document, image, and media file formats, including PNG files. From PNG files, it can selectively remove textual metadata (including XMP), Exif data (including thumbnail and geotag), and C2PA Metadata. Its Professional Edition can optionally selectively preserve some XMP metadata elements. (e.g. Title, Keywords)

BatchPurifier is an offline privacy-oriented desktop application for Windows, that has a graphical user interface, (GUI) and has a broad-spectrum of supported hidden data types.

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