Remove private data from a photo using exiftool

Remove private data from a photo using ExifTool.
We take a look at the metadata contained in a file and setup shortcuts to use Exiftool and remove and update the metadata contained within a file.
Here is a link to how to install ExifTool
• How to Install Exiftoo...
View and wait shortcut command:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k exiftool -all
Append information to a image:
"C:\Program Files\exiftool\exiftool.exe" -all= -Artist="Damon Pulsford" -Copyright="Mercia Solutions" -overwrite_original
Add a comment to a image:
"C:\Program Files\exiftool\exiftool.exe" -XPComment="This is a comment" -overwrite_original
Command to remove all metadata:
Make sure you have a backup copy and the original files prior to removing all the metadata.
"C:\Program Files\exiftool\exiftool.exe" -all=
#merciasolutions #metadata #exiftool
0:00 Introduction
0:21 View metadata with Photos
1:03 View metadata with Exiftool using a shortcut
3:10 Command prompt using Exiftool
4:04 Setup a Icon or shortcut
7:34 Setup Icon to display metadata

[@FredYokohama]

Again, this is brilliant, thanks for sharing knowledge.

[@MerciaSolutions]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ksr2070]

Hope you bring us more useful video ❤

[@swagkiwi151]

Thank you so much!

[@christopherrimplington3643]

Great tutorial, worked perfectly!
Only thing i can't figure out is how to open Command Prompt as Administrator, everysingle time.
Without having to right click: open as adminsitrator, and such.
Though i am the administrator, have all permissions, but still can't open CMD from anywhere i want

[@brute9867]

Thank you for this tutorial, i appreciate it! Question: is the image totally wiped or is there any way to recreate the data after if some other part wants to?

[@MerciaSolutions]

Hi the metadata is removed from the file, the image or picture part of the file is left unchanged. However the previous or original version may have been backed up or be recoverable from the unallocated space on the storage.

[@litty1776]

Thank you for this tutorial, brother. Can this tool be used to rename multiple photos at once?
Can it be used to add a prefix or suffix to all files at once?

[@MerciaSolutions]

Yes it can take a look at -TestName option which is used for dry run testing once your happy with the output you can then use with -FileName instead of -Testname.

[@arquidigitlda7662]

Change metadada on tif files in structured folders ?

[@FoodfortheSubconscious]

When I try to leave a space after the equal sign and hit apply it just highlights everything without the space. Do you know why this is? It worked fine the first time but I had to add the extra bit after with the overwrite original and now this has happened.

[@MerciaSolutions]

Hi any space will need to be in quotes “ “. Also if you have removed all metadata data with all= then the file won’t contain and metadata fields to match on the all=. Therefore you will need to specify the field add and what the metadata should be. Hope this helps.

[@arquidigitlda7662]

And change specific metadata fields not erasing all other metadata ?

[@stukyu]

Hi It still displays the date file was created which is the same date date as when the image was taken. So whilst the "date taken" has gone it's still there under "file created" date ? Is this correct or have I gone wrong somewhere ? Thanks for the video.

[@MerciaSolutions]

Hi the file created date is a function of the filesystem as to when the file was created on the disk, therefore its when it was copied or created on the disc. therefore if you copy the file to a different disc the date will likley change, though the application used to copy the file can also affect this. Hope this helps.

[@stukyu]

@@MerciaSolutions Ok thanks.👍

[@wearebacteria]

you should include the commands in the descriptions. You don't show them very clearly in the video!
5:54 .......... -all= -overwrite_original

[@MerciaSolutions]

Thank you for reminding me to update the description with the commands. I have done this. However, annoyingly I chopped the edge of the desktop off when recording the video.

[@braziliandropshipper]

Hello! Why does removing all of the data might be a problem for me in the future?

[@MerciaSolutions]

Hi the meta data from a camera can be very useful, if you wanted to search say by lens or camera, when the photo was taken and even the location if gps data is present. Its also used by the software for processing digital photos as its improving all the time so knowing the camera sensor and lens would allow for the software to make accurate corrections to the image. Of course if it’s just a picture of lunch or other random image then the metadata probably won’t be of much use in the future, and I doubt the photo will be either.

[@braziliandropshipper]

@@MerciaSolutions Thank you. I am loving your videos and the simple guides! You are the best!

[@dogbone1065]

Most all that information is unnecessary and is taken for collecting information on the owner of the photos. It should be illegal for them to gather private information without your concent. Most people have no idea they're doing this. Its not only photos they're spying on.