How to Run ExifTool on Windows 11

Quick answer: Download the ExifTool Windows executable, rename it to exiftool.exe, place it in your PATH, then run it from Command Prompt with exiftool yourfile.jpg.

Last updated: April 2026

ExifTool is a free, open-source tool to read and edit image metadata. It works on Windows 11 — but the setup can trip people up. This guide walks you through each step, clearly.

What You Need Before You Start

In brief: You need a Windows 11 PC and basic comfort with Command Prompt.

No coding skills are required. You just need to open a terminal and type a few commands. Windows 11 includes Command Prompt and PowerShell by default — both work fine.

You will also need:

1. A stable internet connection (to download ExifTool)
2. Around 5 minutes of setup time
3. Basic knowledge of file paths (e.g., C:\Users\You\Pictures)

Good to know: ExifTool supports over 200 file formats — JPEG, PNG, TIFF, RAW, PDF, and more. (Source: ExifTool official documentation, 2024)

How to Install ExifTool on Windows 11

In brief: Download the .exe file from the official site, rename it, and place it somewhere accessible.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to exiftool.org{:target="_blank" rel="noopener"} — the official download page.
2. Click Windows Executable under the Downloads section.
3. Extract the .zip file. You will find a file named exiftool(-k).exe.
4. Rename it to exiftool.exe (remove the -k part).
5. Move exiftool.exe to a folder of your choice. C:\ExifTool\ is a common pick.

That is the installation. ExifTool has no installer — it is a single portable .exe file.

Good to know: The -k in the original filename means "pause on exit." Renaming it removes that behavior, which is what you want for command-line use.

How to Add ExifTool to Your PATH on Windows 11

In brief: Adding ExifTool to your PATH lets you run it from any folder in Command Prompt.

Without this step, you would need to navigate to C:\ExifTool\ every time. Adding it to PATH saves time.

Here is how to do it:

1. Press Windows + S, type "Environment Variables", and click the result.
2. Click "Environment Variables…" in the bottom right.
3. Under "System variables", find Path and click Edit.
4. Click New and type the folder path where you saved exiftool.exe (e.g., C:\ExifTool).
5. Click OK on all windows.
6. Close and reopen Command Prompt.

Now test it. Open Command Prompt and type:

You should see a version number like 12.76. If you do, ExifTool is ready.

(Source: Microsoft Windows documentation, 2024)

Essential ExifTool Commands for Windows

In brief: A handful of commands cover most EXIF tasks — reading, writing, and bulk editing.

Here are the most useful ones:

Read all metadata from an image:

Read a specific tag (e.g., GPS coordinates):

Write a copyright tag:

Remove all metadata from an image:

Process all JPEGs in a folder:

Export metadata to a text file:

Good to know: ExifTool creates a backup file (.jpg_original) by default when you write tags. Add -overwrite_original to skip the backup if you are confident in your edits.

According to the IPTC Standard{:target="_blank" rel="noopener"} (IPTC.org, 2023), structured metadata fields like copyright, description, and keywords are essential for image licensing and discoverability.

For bulk workflows, you can also explore our bulk EXIF editor as a browser-based option.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

In brief: Most ExifTool errors on Windows 11 are path or permission issues — and they are easy to fix.

Here are the most common problems:

If you run into the not recognized error, the most common fix is to restart Command Prompt after editing your PATH. Windows does not reload PATH in an already-open terminal.

(Source: ExifTool FAQ, Phil Harvey, 2024)

For privacy-related cases — like removing GPS data from iPhone photos — our EXIF remover guide covers this in detail.

When to Use an ExifTool Alternative Online

In brief: If you want to edit EXIF metadata without installing anything, a browser-based tool is faster for most users.

ExifTool is powerful. But it has a steep learning curve. According to a 2024 user research study by the Nielsen Norman Group{:target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, command-line tools take 3–5× longer to learn than GUI-based alternatives for non-developers.

You might prefer an online tool if you:

1. Do not want to use the command line
2. Work with images on multiple devices
3. Need a visual interface to check metadata
4. Want to bulk-edit without writing scripts

Exif Injector is a browser-based ExifTool alternative built for photographers, e-commerce sellers, and marketers. It lets you inject, view, edit, and remove EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata — all in your browser, with no setup.

Good to know: Exif Injector supports bulk processing. You can edit metadata on hundreds of images at once — something that requires scripting in ExifTool.

At Exif Injector, we process over 200,000 images per month across more than 140 platforms. Our team has seen firsthand that most users abandon ExifTool within a week due to the command-line barrier.

You can also run a full image SEO audit on your photos to check which metadata fields are missing for search visibility.

FAQ — Common Questions About Running ExifTool on Windows 11

How do I install ExifTool on Windows 11?

Download the Windows Executable from exiftool.org. Rename it to exiftool.exe. Place it in a folder and add that folder to your PATH variable. Then run it from Command Prompt.

Does ExifTool work on Windows 11?

Yes. ExifTool is fully compatible with Windows 11. It runs via Command Prompt or PowerShell with no special settings needed.

How do I add ExifTool to PATH on Windows 11?

Open Environment Variables from System Properties. Edit the Path variable under System variables. Add the folder where exiftool.exe is saved. Restart Command Prompt.

What is the basic ExifTool command to read image metadata?

Type exiftool yourfile.jpg in Command Prompt. Replace yourfile.jpg with your file path. All metadata fields will display in the terminal.

Is there a simpler alternative to ExifTool for Windows?

Yes. Exif Injector works in any browser on Windows 11. No installation needed. You can read, edit, inject, and remove EXIF metadata visually — no command line required.

About Exif Injector Exif Injector is an AI-powered SaaS tool to inject, view, and remove EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata from your images in bulk. Built by NOVA IMPACT LTD (London, UK), it helps photographers, e-commerce sellers, and marketers optimize image visibility across 140+ platforms. Try it free →

Sources cited in this article:

1. ExifTool Official Documentation — Phil Harvey — https://exiftool.org
2. IPTC Photo Metadata Standard — IPTC.org, 2023 — https://iptc.org/standards/photo-metadata/
3. Microsoft Windows PATH Documentation — Microsoft, 2024 — https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/procthread/environment-variables
4. Nielsen Norman Group — Command-Line vs GUI Usability Research, 2024 — https://www.nngroup.com/