15 Best Free EXIF Editor Software for Windows in 2024
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data contains important metadata like date, time, camera settings, geo-location and other details embedded within images. Being able to view and edit this data can be invaluable for photographers and other image professionals. Luckily, there are many great free EXIF editor tools available for Windows users. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the 15 best free EXIF editor software options to simplify managing image metadata.
CHECK OUT Best JSON Editor for Windows
Key Takeaways
- The top free EXIF editors like EXIF Pilot, cdWorks and GeoSetter provide full-featured tools for comprehensive metadata control.
- Specialized utilities like GeoSetter, EXIF Purge and Metadata Buster excel at specific tasks like geo-tagging and metadata removal.
- Options like Quick EXIF Editor, ViewEXIF and Fireworks offer streamlined essential editing functions in compact packages.
- Leverage batch editing capabilities to efficiently update metadata across multiple images.
- Choose a tool that best matches your skill level and requirements for managing EXIF data.
Why Edit EXIF Data?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to view and edit EXIF metadata:
- Fix incorrect dates or times – The timestamp on your photos may be incorrect if the camera’s clock wasn’t set properly. An EXIF editor makes it easy to batch update dates.
- Add missing information – You can use EXIF editing software to add location data, copyright notices, contact info, descriptions and other missing details to your images.
- Organize and manage photos – EXIF data can be used to sort, label, categorize and search through your image catalogs more efficiently.
- Find the original photo – Since EXIF contains the original capture details, you can trace an edited photo back to the camera raw file.
- Verify authenticity – The metadata can help confirm an image is original and unmodified since sometimes EXIF data is stripped out when photos are edited.
- Enhance privacy – Removing geotags and other sensitive EXIF information from your photos before sharing them publicly can help protect your privacy.
15 Best Free EXIF Editor Software for Windows
1. EXIF Pilot
EXIF Pilot is one of the most full-featured free EXIF editors available for Windows. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for viewing, editing and creating EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata.
Key features of EXIF Pilot include:
- Edit EXIF, IPTC and XMP data for JPG, TIFF, RAW and other formats
- Batch editing for modifying multiple images
- Detailed EXIF viewer
- EXIF editor sidebar provides quick access to all data fields
- Add EXIF metadata to images lacking any properties
- Supports GPS data and geo-tagging capabilities
- Thumbnail previews when browsing folders
- Create custom user presets
- Free for personal and commercial use
EXIF Pilot makes it easy to update timestamps, titles, GPS coordinates, copyright info and any other metadata within your photo collection. The batch editing features allow you to apply edits to multiple images in one go. The detailed EXIF viewer summarizes all the embedded data at a glance.
Overall, EXIF Pilot is highly recommended freeware for conveniently managing and optimizing the EXIF data for your images.
Download: EXIF Pilot
2. cdWorks Photo Helper
cdWorks Photo Helper is versatile freeware for working with digital images and their metadata. In addition to EXIF editing, it also provides tools for adding watermarks, managing color profiles, converting formats and more.
Key EXIF features include:
- View, edit and update EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata
- Batch editing for modifying multiple files together
- Basic EXIF editing fields for date, time, camera info, location and titles
- Automatically fix orientation based on EXIF orientation flag
- Supports EXIF data for JPG, TIF, PNG, BMP, GIF and many RAW formats
cdWorks Photo Helper delivers an efficient workflow for reviewing and editing image metadata. It may not offer as many advanced EXIF editing options as some other software picks, but provides a solid set of essential tools.
The streamlined interface and thoughtful design make it easy to start optimizing your photo metadata. Definitely worth trying out if you want straightforward EXIF management capabilities.
Download: cdWorks Photo Helper
3. GeoSetter
GeoSetter is a specialized free EXIF editor focused on geo-tagging photos and adding GPS coordinates. If you need to add location details to your images, it’s an excellent choice.
Key features include:
- Fetch geographic coordinates based on address/location name
- View and edit latitude, longitude and altitude
- Manually pin photos to a map
- Map view links photos back to capture locations
- Use GPS tracking data to tag photos
- Supports EXIF and XMP formats
- OpenStreetMap and Bing Maps integration
- Export KML files
GeoSetter makes geo-tagging intuitive through its map-based interface. Just search for a place name or address to pull up the coordinates. You can then easily batch update the location data for multiple photos.
The tracking feature lets you tag photos based on GPS data from a separate device like a smartphone. For anyone working with travel, landscape or architecture images, GeoSetter is an invaluable EXIF tool.
Download: GeoSetter
4. Quick EXIF Editor
As its name suggests, Quick EXIF Editor offers a fast and simple way to view and edit image metadata. It delivers just the core EXIF editing functionality most users need in a compact freeware package.
Key features include:
- Streamlined interface for quick EXIF edits
- Adjust date, time, camera settings, titles and descriptions
- Supports JPG, TIF, PNG, WEBP and some RAW formats
- Make edits to one or multiple files
- Lightweight and easy to use
If you find some EXIF editors too complex, Quick EXIF Editor is a great alternative. It launches quickly and makes it easy to adjust timestamps, camera details and other info.
The straightforward design means you can start editing metadata without any learning curve. Quick EXIF Editor is a top pick if you want essential EXIF features without unnecessary extras.
Download: Quick EXIF Editor
5. FotoExif
FotoExif delivers an impressive set of professional-grade EXIF tools in a free software package. It offers support for over 300 different metadata fields along with flexible batch editing options.
Key features include:
- Comprehensive EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata support
- 300+ fields covering timestamps, copyright, GPS, camera settings and more
- Batch edit individual properties across multiple files
- Copy and paste metadata between images
- Lossless metadata editing that won’t recompress images
- Undo edits and revert images to original state
- Supports all major image formats including RAW
- Create presets for reusing custom metadata
For advanced photographers and creative professionals, FotoExif provides meticulous control over image metadata. The batch processing tools allow you to apply edits to selected metadata fields across an entire collection of photos in one go. Lossless editing ensures your original image quality is preserved.
Overall, FotoExif is one of the most versatile free EXIF editors available with its extensive metadata support and robust image management tools.
Download: FotoExif
6. Exifer
Exifer delivers a unique approach to EXIF editing with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Just drag in photos you want to edit and drop metadata onto them from panels on the right.
Key features include:
- Drag-and-drop EXIF editing
- Panels provide quick access for modifying timestamps, titles, gps data and other properties
- Batch editing queue for processing multiple images
- Undo function to revert accidental changes
- Supports EXIF and IPTC formats
- Handles JPG, TIF, PNG, PSD, CR2, NEF and other major formats
Exifer streamlines editing workflow through its visual drag-and-drop method. The panel-based interface provides efficient access to all the tools at a glance. You can easily stack up batches of images to modify metadata for groups of photos.
For those seeking an easier and more intuitive approach to EXIF editing, Exifer’s drag-and-drop system is worth exploring. It’s one of the most user-friendly options among free EXIF software.
Download: Exifer
7. XnViewMP
XnViewMP is popular freeware for image and photo management that also includes handy EXIF viewing and editing capabilities.
Key EXIF features include:
- Sidebar displays full EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata
- Edit core info like date, camera, resolution, location and copyright
- Batch rename using EXIF properties like timestamps and camera model
- Supports 500+ image formats including RAW
- Lossless non-destructive editing
- Additional tools for managing, browsing, converting images
For viewing and editing basic EXIF details, XnViewMP provides an efficient solution as part of its broader set of image management tools. The detailed sidebar makes it easy to inspect all the available metadata for a photo. And you can leverage the batch renaming tool to organize images using the embedded EXIF properties.
While it may not provide as extensive EXIF editing capabilities as some specialized editors, XnViewMP is a solid choice for seamlessly managing and modifying metadata as part of your overall photo workflow.
Download: XnViewMP
8. GraphicConverter
GraphicConverter has long been a popular image editing tool for Mac, and now also offers a free Windows version. In addition to image editing features, it includes capable EXIF viewing and editing tools.
Key EXIF features include:
- Comprehensive EXIF, GPS, IPTC and XMP metadata viewer
- Quick edit sidebar for date, time, resolution, orientation and color space
- Batch renaming based on EXIF properties
- Metadata templates to apply preset values across batches of images
- Supports all major image formats including RAW
- Additional editing tools for resizing, converting, annotating photos
GraphicConverter provides extensive metadata inspection through its detailed viewer. The quick edit sidebar makes it easy to modify some of the most common EXIF properties. And you can leverage the powerful batch tools to apply metadata edits and renaming across entire photo libraries.
For Mac users switching to Windows, GraphicConverter is a familiar option. And for any photographer needing robust EXIF utilities, it’s a great free choice.
Download: GraphicConverter
9. ViewEXIF
ViewEXIF provides a streamlined utility solely focused on viewing and editing image metadata. It delivers just the essential EXIF features most users need.
Key features include:
- Lightweight program optimized specifically for EXIF
- Quickly view comprehensive image metadata
- Edit EXIF timestamps, camera settings, titles and location info
- Drag-and-drop images directly into ViewEXIF
- Supports EXIF and IPTC formats
- Handles JPG, TIF, PNG, WEBP and some RAW files
Sometimes you need a simple straightforward tool for checking EXIF data without the extras. ViewEXIF fits that need with speedy performance and just the necessary viewing and editing functions.
The drag-and-drop support also makes it easy to instantly check and modify the metadata for any image file. For basic EXIF tasks, ViewEXIF supplies an efficient solution.
Download: ViewEXIF
10. EXIF Viewer by FlauntR
EXIF Viewer by FlauntR provides a clean interface specifically for viewing and editing image metadata. It makes inspecting and modifying EXIF data quick and easy.
Key features include:
- Sidebar displays full EXIF, IPTC and XMP data
- Edit core details like timestamps, GPS, camera info and descriptions
- Drag-and-drop support to instantly view EXIF
- Lossless non-destructive editing
- Handy image viewer with zoom
- Available as portable app or installable software
EXIF Viewer delivers a responsive, uncluttered experience for managing photo metadata. The drag-and-drop support makes it easy to instantly check EXIF for any images. It may not offer as full-featured editing options as some alternatives, but provides reliable performance for daily metadata tasks.
For those seeking a clean and simple EXIF utility, EXIF Viewer is a good fit.
Download: EXIF Viewer by FlauntR
11. JPEG Lossless Metadata
JPEG Lossless Metadata provides a specialized utility for editing metadata in JPEG images while retaining full image quality. It ensures your edits won’t recompress or degrade the original photo.
Key features include:
- Lossless non-destructive JPEG metadata editing
- Modify EXIF, XMP, IPTC and ICC_Profile data
- Retains 100% original image quality
- Simple table-based interface
- Open and save batch groups of JPEGs
- Small portable executable
For those working with JPEG files in their workflow, JPEG Lossless Metadata is an excellent way to modify EXIF data without any image quality loss caused by recompression. It provides robust lossless editing capabilities in a lightweight package.
Download: JPEG Lossless Metadata
12. ExifToolGUI
ExifTool has long been a popular open-source command-line tool for reading and writing image metadata. ExifToolGUI offers a clean graphical interface for harnessing the power of ExifTool for EXIF tasks in Windows.
Key features include:
- GUI wrapper for ExifTool engine
- Full read and write support for EXIF, IPTC, XMP, ICC etc
- Batch edit existing metadata across groups of images
- Bulk apply preset metadata values to multiple photos
- Supports all major image formats and RAW
- Versatile tools for renaming, moving, copying files
For those seeking robust command-line-caliber EXIF features in a user-friendly package, ExifToolGUI is an excellent option. It provides extensive metadata editing and management tools powered by industrial-strength ExifTool technology.
Download: ExifToolGUI
13. EXIF Purge
EXIF Purge provides an easy way to strip all metadata from your image files. Removing EXIF data can help protect privacy when sharing photos publicly.
Key features include:
- Removes EXIF, IPTC and other metadata
- Option to optionally keep basic image attributes like resolution
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Processes JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP and more
- Lightweight and portable
If you need to scrub metadata before publishing personal images, EXIF Purge delivers a fast, simple solution. It only takes a couple clicks to strip all sensitive EXIF data from a batch of photos.
Download: EXIF Purge
14. Metadata Buster
Metadata Buster offers a streamlined interface specifically for removing unwanted metadata from your digital images and videos. It provides flexible options for erasing select information.
Key features include:
- Remove EXIF, IPTC, XMP, ICC metadata
- Optionally keep document name, size, timestamp
- Erase metadata from JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP, MP4, MOV
- Drag and drop files for easy batch processing
- Quickly wipe metadata without compromising image/video quality
Metadata Buster makes it easy to clean up your digital media by erasing any sensitive or unnecessary metadata before sharing. It helps protect privacy while retaining core image attributes.
Download: Metadata Buster
15. Fireworks EXIF Editor
Fireworks EXIF Editor provides a quick portable utility for modifying image metadata. It delivers essential EXIF editing functions in a tiny app.
Key features include:
- Small standalone executable less than 100KB
- Edit common EXIF properties like date, camera settings, location
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy batch editing
- Handles JPG, PNG, WEBP, TIFF and some RAW
- Simple no-fuss tool for basic EXIF modifications
For a super lightweight EXIF editing utility, Fireworks EXIF Editor fits the need. It omits bells and whistles to deliver compact essential metadata editing features. Easy to toss in your travel bag or deploy across systems.
Download: Fireworks EXIF Editor
Conclusion
EXIF metadata provides valuable details about your digital photos, but isn’t always perfect right out of the camera. The best free EXIF editor software for Windows makes it easy to take control of this data to fix issues, enhance organization, improve privacy and more.
Tools like EXIF Pilot, GeoSetter, cdWorks Photo Helper and GraphicConverter provide full-featured professional-grade editing options. Alternatives like ViewEXIF, Metadata Buster and Fireworks EXIF Editor offer more compact standalone utilities. And specialized tools like GeoSetter and EXIF Purge excel at handling specific tasks like geo-tagging and metadata removal.
