Why this matters
Windows 11's built-in PDF viewer (Edge) shows file properties but doesn't strip them — you need a separate tool.
Adobe Acrobat Pro on Windows is $20/month and overkill for occasional metadata stripping.
Server-based online tools (iLovePDF, Smallpdf) upload your PDF to their server — unnecessary on Windows 11, which can process PDFs locally just fine.
Windows usernames are often your real name and can leak via the original file path stored in PDF metadata.
What the scanner detects
- Title field (often the document's first heading, auto-populated)
- Author field (often your Windows account name — your real name)
- Creator and Producer fields (your editing software)
- Creation and modification timestamps
- Original file path (sometimes includes your Windows username)
Ready to scan your PDF?
Drop your file into the scanner. Results in 5 seconds. Nothing leaves your browser.
Open the scannerHow it works
Click "Scan your PDF now" above. The scanner opens in your browser tab — no download, no install.
Drop in your PDF. The file is parsed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No upload, no server, no logs.
Review your 0–100 risk score, the list of findings, and the AI-generated redaction recommendations. Then take action.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clear PDF properties on Windows 11?
Open PrivacyScanPDF in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome on Windows 11. Drop in your PDF. The tool reads it locally, clears every property from the info dictionary, and downloads the cleaned PDF to your Downloads folder. No install, no signup.
Can I clear PDF properties in Windows 11 File Explorer?
File Explorer's Properties dialog shows some PDF metadata but doesn't reliably strip it — fields often reappear after 'Save As'. For reliable stripping, use a browser-based tool that modifies the PDF's info dictionary directly.
Is the Windows 11 PDF property stripper free?
Yes. PrivacyScanPDF is free with no signup, no daily limits, and no watermarks. It runs in your browser (Edge or Chrome) on Windows 11. There's nothing to install and no account to create.
Will clearing properties affect my PDF on Windows?
No. PDF properties are descriptive metadata only. Clearing them doesn't change the visible content, layout, fonts, images, or interactive elements. Your PDF opens and renders identically in Edge, Acrobat Reader, or any other viewer.
Related privacy scans
How to Remove Metadata From a PDF on Mac (Without Acrobat)
Mac users don't need Adobe Acrobat to strip PDF metadata. This tool runs in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on macOS 12 Monterey and later — no install, no signup, no Acrobat subscription. Drop your PDF, the metadata is removed locally, download the cleaned file. Your PDF never leaves your Mac.
Remove EXIF Data From Images Inside a PDF
PDFs often contain embedded images (photos, screenshots, scanned pages) — and those images can carry EXIF metadata: GPS coordinates showing where the photo was taken, camera make and serial number, original timestamps, and editing software. This tool scans your PDF for embedded images and reports what EXIF they carry, so you know what's leaking.
Strip Serial Numbers and GPS Coordinates From a PDF
PDFs generated by multi-function printers, scanned documents, and photographed content can carry embedded device serial numbers and GPS coordinates in the EXIF metadata of their images. This is a serious privacy leak — a single PDF can identify the exact device that scanned it and the location where a photograph was taken. Scan your PDF to see what it leaks.
Erase Adobe InDesign Metadata From a PDF
InDesign exports PDFs with extensive metadata: the designer's name (from their Adobe account), InDesign version, template info, font lists, plug-in signatures, and creation timestamps. This metadata can identify the designer, their employer, and their toolchain. Strip it locally in your browser before sharing InDesign-exported PDFs externally.
Your PDF never leaves your device
Every operation runs as JavaScript in your browser tab. No upload endpoint exists. Verify it yourself in DevTools (F12 → Network).