Question 1

Is the Windows download safe? Is it “clean / green” software?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that is the point of the portable build. PixWipe.exe is a single file around 4.8 MB. There is no installer, no adware, no bundled toolbar, and no leftover service. It does not need administrator rights. Settings, if any, live in %LOCALAPPDATA%\PixWipe. We publish a SHA-256 checksum so you can verify the file before you run it.

Question 2

Which Windows versions are supported?

Accepted Answer

Windows 10 version 1809 or later, and Windows 11, 64-bit. It is a native Win32 program, not a Store app and not a browser wrapper. Older Windows 7 / 8 builds are not supported.

Question 3

Are my photos or documents uploaded?

Accepted Answer

No. PixWipe reads files in your browser or the Windows app. There is no upload API. You can confirm it in DevTools → Network while a file is processed, and the desktop app does not phone home.

Question 4

Does wiping EXIF reduce image quality?

Accepted Answer

Not for JPEG, PNG, or WebP. Those formats are cleaned at the byte/chunk level, so the compressed pixels stay identical. HEIC and a few uncommon formats must be re-encoded because browsers cannot write those containers. The Windows app uses Windows Imaging for HEIC.

Question 5

Can I convert WebP without CloudConvert or Convertio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Windows app and the browser tool decode WebP on this device. JPG flattens on white. PNG keeps transparency. There is no daily file cap and no account.

Question 6

Does Windows already remove PDF authors?

Accepted Answer

File Explorer “Remove Properties” does not reliably clear PDF Info or XMP. Acrobat Sanitize does, but it is paid and heavy. PixWipe inspects Author, Creator, and Producer, then blanks those strings. It does not claim a full Acrobat sanitize — annotations and attachments stay.

Question 7

Why are my Google Takeout photos dated today?

Accepted Answer

Takeout writes the download time onto the file. The real capture time lives in a JSON sidecar. Since 2024 Google also truncates `.supplemental-metadata.json` to 51 characters. PixWipe follows that rule, including `(N)` duplicates, and sets Windows file times. GPS restore is off unless you turn it on.

Question 8

Why do I still need this if Instagram strips EXIF?

Accepted Answer

Social networks strip metadata after the file reaches their servers. Email, iMessage original quality, WhatsApp documents, real-estate listings, freelance portfolios, and many portals keep GPS intact. Wipe first, then share.

Question 9

Windows says “Windows protected your PC.” Is that a virus?

Accepted Answer

No. SmartScreen is a reputation check for new unsigned software, not a malware finding. Choose More info → Run anyway. Compare the SHA-256 if you want a second check. A code-signing certificate removes the prompt; we can add one after the first release.

Question 10

Is PixWipe really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The website tools and the Windows app are free, with no account, watermark, or daily file cap. We keep the product small on purpose.

Question 11

What does the Windows app add over the browser tools?

Accepted Answer

A native Win32 program — standard Windows light UI, live preview, GPS inspector, folder drop, PDF/Office wipe, and Takeout date repair. No browser is launched. The portable EXE needs no admin rights and works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

제품	로컬	확인	PDF	계정
PixWipe	항상	Author / Creator / XMP	이름 비움	없음
Acrobat Sanitize	항상	전체 목록	전체 sanitize	유료
ExifTool	항상	깊은 태그	복원되기 쉬움	없음
BatchPurifier	항상	Office 우선	제한적	유료
PDF24	혼합	기본	온라인 또는 데스크톱	없음

PDF에서 작성자를 지웁니다.페이지는 남깁니다.

이미 믿는 도구들과의 비교

같은 지우기. 여전히 업로드 없음.

v1이 하지 않는 일을 솔직히

같은 지우기, Windows 10과 11에서