KernelGhost/Removing PDF Metadata.md

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This guide offers concise steps to remove metadata from PDF files on Linux, macOS and Windows.

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Removing PDF Metadata.md

Removing PDF Metadata

Author: Rohan Barar
Date: 16/12/2023

GNU+Linux

Install exiftool.
```
sudo dnf install perl-Image-ExifTool
```
Install qpdf.
```
sudo dnf install qpdf
```

Run the following command.

exiftool -all:all= input.pdf -o intermediate_output.pdf

Run the following command.

qpdf --linearize intermediate_output.pdf final_output.pdf

macOS

Install exiftool via Homebrew.
```
brew install exiftool
```
Install qpdf via Homebrew.
```
brew install qpdf
```

Run the following command.

exiftool -all:all= input.pdf -o intermediate_output.pdf

Run the following command.

qpdf --linearize intermediate_output.pdf final_output.pdf

Windows

Download exiftool as a stand-alone executable.
Install qpdf.

Run the following command.

& "C:\Path\To\exiftool.exe" -all:all= input.pdf -o intermediate_output.pdf

Run the following command.

& "C:\Program Files\qpdf 11.6.4\bin\qpdf.exe" --linearize intermediate_output.pdf final_output.pdf

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