ExifCleaner 4.0.1

ExifCleaner 4.0.1 is a focused data-safety and release-reliability update.

Data safety

• Save as copy now preserves the original. The app writes to the actual collision-safe _cleaned path and Reveal follows that returned path.
• RAW files always use a copy. Supported RAW formats never overwrite the submitted original, even when Save as copy is disabled.
• RAW and video output is verified before success. Failed generated output is removed instead of being reported as complete.

Privacy

• Remove macOS attributes is now connected to the processing path. When enabled, it clears extended attributes from the artifact that was actually written.
• The macOS attribute command now passes filenames as fixed arguments rather than through a shell.

Release reliability

• Installed builds now exercise the save-as-copy and advertised-format contracts on macOS, Windows, and Linux before release artifacts are accepted.
• Release notes must match the package version, known gaps must remain machine-readable, and two-part internal tags are rejected from the public release namespace.
• The release also includes the previously unreleased SIZE display, settings icon, PDF fixture, per-launch test-profile, and release-gate fixes from #300, #301, #305, #306, and #292.

Known limitations in 4.0.1

• Impact: A cleaned MP4 may still include original create-date metadata values.
  Scope: MP4 files with QuickTime CreateDate, TrackCreateDate, or MediaCreateDate values processed through ExifCleaner 4.0.0 or 4.0.1
  Workaround: For sensitive MP4s, run ExifTool manually with -CreateDate= -TrackCreateDate= -MediaCreateDate= after cleaning, then verify those tags are absent.
  Target fix: 4.1.0.
  Issue: #240

See the README's known limitations by format before relying on irreversible removal from PDF or MKV files.

Downloads

Verify downloads against the release's SHASUMS256.txt file.

Windows security checks

• Windows portable (recommended): ExifCleaner.4.0.1.exe — SHA-256 7375676a911fccefd4d2731621bf9d815932153750d7b900e6e8ecec48028f12; VirusTotal report; submitted to Microsoft for malware analysis on 2026-08-02.
• Windows installer: ExifCleaner.Setup.4.0.1.exe — SHA-256 ad77fe49f2e58d6df153e1a841ad784e15cef2d6a7bc38b771b89fb0d0a7bac4; VirusTotal report; submitted to Microsoft for malware analysis on 2026-08-02.

These unsigned artifacts may still trigger reputation-based warnings. The links above identify the exact release bytes; they are not a promise that every scanner reports zero detections.

Opening unsigned builds

ExifCleaner remains unsigned. Signing would require publishing the maintainer's verified legal identity; no signed build is being promised.

macOS

• macOS 14 (Sonoma) and earlier: right-click or Control-click the app, choose Open, then choose Open again.
• macOS 15 (Sequoia) and later: open the app once, then use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.

Windows

The portable build is the primary Windows download. If SmartScreen displays “Windows protected your PC,” choose More info → Run anyway after verifying the checksum.

Linux

Make the AppImage executable with chmod +x ExifCleaner-4.0.1.AppImage. The .deb and .rpm packages install normally.

Verification

• Every artifact is built publicly from tagged source by GitHub Actions.
• CI installs and exercises the native DMG, NSIS installer, and AppImage before assembling the draft.
• SHASUMS256.txt identifies the exact bytes published with this release.
• No automatic-update manifests are published; ExifCleaner continues to make zero network requests during normal use.

Only download ExifCleaner from the GitHub releases page.

Full changelog: v4.0.0...v4.0.1