Unable to remove file data from images

[tidybear12]

Hi all! I'm new here.

I am trying to remove the data that is always attached to images (and WORD files!!!) before uploading them. Normally, having the image in Windows Photo Viewer and right clicking to Properties should give you the option to remove everything that's removable.
However, I seem not to have the necessary permission to do that.

You have a tutorial here that MIGHT fix that. It's here: Take Ownership Shortcut - Windows 7 Help Forums

BUT I am always extremely nervous about making changes like that, so before I even try to do this I have 2 questions.

1. Is there a SAFE tool I can use to scrub the data? I googled this (actually I duck duck go'ed it), and at least one tool that came up (JPG stripper) seems to have been compromised. Readers warned the writer that it is infected with a virus.

2. Is your tutorial above going to allow me to remove the file data or only the meta data generated by the image?
In my searches everybody seems to be concerned about the Exif data, mostly because if the image is from your smartphone it is likely to contain GPS data etc. unless you deny the camera access to your location which, frankly, why would you allow it?
Anyway, IF the Exif data doesn't reveal your location, there are still things to worry about, namely the stuff Windows attaches, like the owner's name (yes, that's you, take a look!), and the path of the file. I totally and utterly hate that. I want to remove all of this file stuff, and I'm afraid the strategy laid out in your tutorial about ownership isn't going to let me do that either. It might be somehow baked in and has nothing to do with admin rights or whatever.

So, those are my 2 questions. Thanks for reading, sorry it's long.

 

[Callender]

If you mean this app from SteelBytes:

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JPEG & PNG Stripper Download

It's fine. 2 out of 60 AV engines detect it. Those are false positive detections. It has been around for a long time.

​

The file isn't digitally signed so expect some security softwares to alert on it.

I've used it for some time but actually prefer the software mentioned in this post:

Are flash drives reliable for storing photos and documents? - Page 3 - Windows 7 Help Forums

The link to download is here:

File not showing up in folder,but showing up in Remove Empty Directori Solved - Windows 7 Help Forums

As for word documents have a read of this:

Why doesn't Document Metadata Cleaner supports docx, xlsx and pptx files

Download anyway if you want to use it on old MS Office format files:

Metadata Cleaner - Features

 

[tidybear12]

Thanks Callender. Not sure about those two, to be honest. I don't like the setup.

I have a feeling there is a simple solution to this that can be found within Windows itself. Some kind of settings change.
It says for example in the Properties link that some files can't be changed, and it mentions txt and rtf. To me it means that there is a way to remove the file data somehow. Also, is the file data generated by Windows or something else? It says only that program which created the data can also remove it.

I'll keep looking, I guess.

 

[Callender]

Nothing wrong with those apps and the first one is fully portable with no setup required. It's your call. You don't like them - don't use them.

RE: File Properties > Details tab. Click "Remove Properties & Personal Information"

RE: Images or anything else. Upload test files somewhere then download them using another machine. Check to see what metadata you can find.

 

[samuria]

Data in the photo is put there by the camera not Windows and there is a lot speed,apature ,ISO, camera etc Facebook strips this data when you upload a photo some photo software can edit

 

[Callender]

Yes some reputable sites remove that data on upload but some don't.

I Know Where Your Cat Lives: About

 

[Callender]

I am trying to remove the data that is always attached to images (and WORD files!!!) before uploading them. Normally, having the image in Windows Photo Viewer and right clicking to Properties should give you the option to remove everything that's removable.
However, I seem not to have the necessary permission to do that.

What is the location of the image? Right click file and choose "Copy As Path" - paste result here.

 

[tidybear12]

Wow, lol. I was worried I over-explained the issue but all I did was use too many words, burying what I really meant.
As a result, nobody seems to get what I am talking about...

It's not about the camera info and GPS. That's turned off in my camera anyway. What I am talking about is the info that Windows or Microsoft?? add on to everything. It has nothing whatsoever to do with cameras. It happens if you download a picture from google or wherever, it doesn't matter where it's from. It - whoever it is - will slap on this stuff, and using "Remove Properties and Personal Information" does not touch it at all.

File Path C:\Users\Tom\MyPictures\blahblah
Owner: Tom Clancy
Computer: TOMCLANCY-HP(BLAHBLAH)

That's what I'm talking about. And there is definitely a way to erase all that because other people do it. (I guess I should just ask them.)

 

[maxnoston09]

Hello. I use irfanview and when I save a copy of my photo I uncheck "keep original EXIF data", "keep original IPTC data", "keep original JPG-Comment" and "keep original XMP data". I hope this helps.

 

[Callender]

Wow, lol. I was worried I over-explained the issue but all I did was use too many words, burying what I really meant.
As a result, nobody seems to get what I am talking about...

It's not about the camera info and GPS. That's turned off in my camera anyway. What I am talking about is the info that Windows or Microsoft?? add on to everything. It has nothing whatsoever to do with cameras. It happens if you download a picture from google or wherever, it doesn't matter where it's from. It - whoever it is - will slap on this stuff, and using "Remove Properties and Personal Information" does not touch it at all.

File Path C:\Users\Tom\MyPictures\blahblah
Owner: Tom Clancy
Computer: TOMCLANCY-HP(BLAHBLAH)

That's what I'm talking about. And there is definitely a way to erase all that because other people do it. (I guess I should just ask them.)

You can't delete that as far as I know it's required by windows. The details you wish to remove are used for permissioning and only exist on your local computer. When you share that file elsewhere, the details will not be in the file