See more than visible pages
Review metadata, XMP, attachments, executable actions, comments, forms, links, hidden text evidence, possible fake redactions, layers, thumbnails, and image-metadata signals.
PDF privacy tool
PDF Sanitizer & Privacy Checker
Check what your PDF carries besides its visible pages. Remove selected privacy traces locally, then verify the cleaned copy.
Inspect and sanitize PDF privacy traces
Runs in your browserOriginal stays unchangedNo signup
Not antivirus · Not a redaction tool
What ToolNest checked
Supported inspection: document structures, pages, text evidence, metadata, attachments, actions, annotations, forms, links, layers, thumbnails, and limited image signals.
Verified sanitization: metadata/XMP, embedded files, JavaScript/Launch actions, selected external URI actions, and selected review comments.
Inspection only: forms, hidden text, possible fake redactions, optional layers, thumbnails, and image-level metadata signals.
Known limits: this is not a forensic certificate. Encrypted, proprietary, ambiguous, and complex graphic structures may not be fully supported.
Remove only supported categories
Create a separate copy without selected metadata, embedded files, JavaScript or Launch actions, external URI actions, and review comments. The original is never overwritten.
Reinspect the output
Each supported removal reports verified removed, removal failed, or could not verify. ToolNest does not turn uncertainty into a success claim.
Not a forensic certificate
Complex redaction, hidden content, encrypted files, proprietary annotations, image payload metadata, and unsupported PDF features can require specialist review.
Helpful answers
Document privacy FAQs
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Inspection, supported cleanup, verification, and download preparation happen in your browser. Your PDF is not sent to ToolNest or a paid API.
What can this version remove?
It can create and verify a new copy without document metadata and XMP, embedded files, dangerous JavaScript or Launch actions, selected external URI actions, and selected review comments. Internal page links and non-URI actions are preserved.
What does Recommended Clean remove?
Recommended Clean selects detected metadata, embedded files, and dangerous active actions. It intentionally leaves comments and external links unselected because both can be useful document content.
Does a clean report guarantee the PDF is safe?
No. This is a bounded structural inspection, not a forensic certificate. Forms, hidden text, possible fake redactions, layers, image metadata, encrypted files, and proprietary structures have stated limits or remain inspection-only.
What happens to digital signatures?
Creating any sanitized copy rewrites the PDF and invalidates existing digital signatures. ToolNest warns when a signature structure is detected so you can keep the signed original.