How to remove software application info from a pdf's metadata
- Step 1Upload the PDF — Drop the document into the metadata scrubber.
- Step 2Select Creator and Producer fields — Enable Creator, Producer, and Application metadata removal.
- Step 3Scrub the fields — Process to remove software identification from the PDF.
- Step 4Verify the removal — Check Document Properties to confirm Creator and Producer fields are blank.
Frequently asked questions
Can a competitor determine my software from a scrubbed PDF?+
Scrubbing removes standard metadata fields. However, some software embeds non-standard markers in the content stream — a full document analysis by a forensic tool could still reveal hints.
Does the XMP stream also contain software info?+
Yes — XMP metadata includes CreatorTool and similar fields. Enable XMP scrubbing to remove these alongside the standard properties.
Will scrubbing affect PDF/A compliance?+
PDF/A requires certain metadata fields including Creator. Scrubbing incompatible with PDF/A compliance — scrub only non-archival distribution copies.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.