Top tech stories now available. See what’s trending today.
Subscription | Read Online Twitter Facebook Google+

Windows tip of the week

Remove private information from files and photos

By Ed Bott

When you share a file or photo, are you inadvertently sharing more than you thought? Metadata in business-related documents can leak names of authors and editors. Metadata in photos can include location information, including the exact location of your home or office, that you probably don't want to post on social media for all to see.

Fortunately, Windows offers a handy way to strip out all that sensitive metadata with just a few clicks.

Start in File Explorer (Windows Explorer in Windows 7). Select the file or files you want to sanitize and then click Properties. Click the Details tab and then click the Remove Properties And Personal Information link at the bottom of the tab.

That action opens the Remove Properties dialog box, with two available options. The default option creates a copy of the selected file with all possible properties removed. The second option lets you select exactly which properties you want to remove, without creating a new copy. Click Select All and then click OK to remove all metadata from the current file.


Latest on Microsoft

Microsoft has found a way to bring human language intelligence to our dumb computers

When it comes to human language, computers are dumb. But Microsoft thinks it has a way to teach computers how to read and understand human language.

More TechRepublic stories

Windows 10: Microsoft faces Russian probe over claim it pushes Windows Defender on users

Despite privacy concerns, Microsoft calls Windows 10 'the most secure version of Windows'

Android backdoor is secretly sending user data and texts to China, and no one knows why

Microsoft partners with OpenAI to advance AI research with Azure

Posts from ZDNet

When will Microsoft end support for your version of Windows or Office?

​Meet Alice, the Microsoft Cortana-based AI chatbot who aims to make you look stylish

Microsoft Black Friday preview promises deals on Surface devices, Windows laptops

Microsoft won't provide extended support for Office 2007 products beyond October 2017 deadline

Survey: Is your company moving the data center to the cloud?


We'd like to hear why your company has (or hasn't) made the switch to IaaS, what systems your company is moving to the cloud, and how IT staff and data centers are affected by the change. This survey takes less than 10 minutes, and you can enter your email address to receive a free copy of the resulting research report.

Featured multimedia

Gallery: The top 20 supercomputers in the world

Gallery: 10 pieces of obsolete technology still in use today

Today's recommended downloads

VMWare: Redefining Networking with Network Virtualization

(VMware)

Its Time to Identify and Confront the Latest DC Security Challenges

(VMware)

Network Virtualization and Security with VMware NSX

(VMware)

VMWare: Why Businesses Are Adopting Network Virtualization

(VMware)

Data Science and Machine Learning with Python!

(Udemy)

A special feature from ZDNet and TechRepublic

How to automate the enterprise

One of today's biggest opportunities for IT to make an impact is by automating business processes, manufacturing, repetitive tasks, and more. We delve into examples and best practices.

Connect with TechRepublic

Visit the Subscription Center to get other free newsletters, manage your account settings or to be removed from TechRepublic communications.

Unsubscribe | Send Feedback | FAQ | Advertise | Privacy Policy

© 2016 CBS Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.

TechRepublic is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive, Inc.

TechRepublic

235 Second Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

U.S.A.