How To Scrub Metadata From Word Documents (Windows)

Hidden Data Within Word Documents: An Overview

Many users are unaware that Microsoft Word documents can contain concealed information beyond the visible text. This hidden data, known as metadata, encompasses details like revision histories, author identification, comments, keywords, hyperlinks, and timestamps for saving and editing.

Understanding and managing this metadata is crucial. News reports have highlighted instances where metadata contradicted the apparent authorship of documents, leading to problematic situations. Even without malicious intent, protecting your personal information through metadata removal is a prudent practice.

Removing Metadata with Doc Scrubber

The process of removing personal metadata from Word documents is straightforward. A free program called "Doc Scrubber" facilitates this task effectively.

Installation and launching of Doc Scrubber are similar to any other Windows application. Its user interface is designed for ease of use.

The program allows for both analysis and scrubbing of metadata. Selecting the "Analyze" button initiates a review of the document's embedded data.

You will then be prompted to locate and select the specific Word document you wish to analyze.

The analysis reveals details such as the author's initials and potentially outdated company affiliations. For example, the document might still indicate a previous employer, even after years have passed.

It's noteworthy that metadata can persist even when using alternative office suites like Open Office. This underscores the importance of proactive metadata removal.

The Scrubbing Process

Returning to the "Main Menu" allows you to begin the scrubbing process. Clicking the "scrub" button presents several options for customization.

Doc Scrubber offers the ability to process multiple documents simultaneously, saving time when addressing a backlog of files.

Further options allow you to specify which types of information should be removed. You can reset revision counts and alter the displayed author and company details.

Upon selecting "next," the scrubbing process commences.

After scrubbing, it's advisable to re-analyze the document to verify the effectiveness of the process.

A successful scrub will typically replace the original author information with generic details, such as "John Doe" from "Any Company Inc." Other settings will be reset or cleared based on your selections.

Using a tool like Doc Scrubber isn't solely for those involved in questionable activities. It's a valuable practice for anyone concerned about protecting their privacy. Consider exploring related techniques for scrubbing metadata from images, as discussed in Karl's article.

Do you currently remove metadata from your Word documents? If so, which tools or methods do you employ?