# MetaWipe v3.2.0 - Release Notes

Released: 2026-07-15

MetaWipe is a local Windows privacy tool that scans supported files for
metadata risks, creates cleaned copies, and verifies those outputs without
modifying the originals.

## Downloads

| Artifact | SHA-256 |
|---|---|
| `MetaWipe-v3.2.0-Setup.exe` | `5b2b04cd3b642909d59b7808e71c49930ac95413eed1edf30e30cb8dc51360fd` |
| `MetaWipe-v3.2.0.zip` | `31ee174ab5d87ca5ca2d8eab613c8133ef52ffddc9fa28f14ec3ee59efd9dfea` |
| `MetaWipe.exe` in the portable folder | `bf81a7eb71fa4a50efec5b82c64bea9dcc851b902f6eced64cce08e1e54365d4` |

Requirements: Windows 10 or 11 x64. ExifTool 13.59 and its support files are
included and run locally. MetaWipe does not require a cloud service for
scanning or cleaning.

The executable and installer are not code-signed. Windows SmartScreen may
display an unknown-publisher warning. Verify the SHA-256 value before running
downloaded artifacts.

## What's New

- **Simplified Privacy Check workflow.** Add files, review automatically
  scanned privacy risks, create cleaned copies, and follow automatic
  verification in one guided path.
- **Clear workflow outcomes.** Verified, Needs review, partial-failure, and
  failed states explain what happened and identify one recommended next step.
- **Contextual Metadata Inspector.** The Inspector appears alongside relevant
  file workflows with readable scores, risk summaries, grouped metadata, and
  before/after comparisons.
- **Automation and Watch Folders.** Folder monitoring, processing state,
  recent activity, and history remain consolidated under Automation.
- **Contextual reports and Secure Share.** Privacy reports, Secure Share
  packages, and verification details appear where they are relevant instead
  of competing with the primary workflow.
- **Privacy Cleaning Summary terminology.** Generated summaries describe the
  checks MetaWipe performed and use `METAWIPE VERIFICATION PASSED` or
  `REVIEW REQUIRED` instead of making absolute privacy claims.
- **Dark and Light appearance.** Earlier theme choices migrate to a focused
  two-theme system with synchronized Settings and a smooth transition.
- **Visual and accessibility polish.** Improved spacing, typography, long
  value handling, keyboard routing, status labels, minimum-size behavior, and
  scaling coverage make each workflow state easier to understand.
- **Packaged metadata parity.** Portable and installed builds report version
  `3.2.0`, build commit `410cae0`, and matching Windows file/product version
  resources.

## Upgrade Notes

- Installing over an existing MetaWipe copy preserves settings and history in
  `%USERPROFILE%\.metawipe`.
- Earlier saved theme names migrate automatically to Dark or Light.
- Existing Watch Folder and privacy-profile settings remain compatible.
- Explorer integration is optional during installation and is removed by the
  uninstaller. User settings remain unless removed manually.

## Privacy Scope

MetaWipe checks and removes supported metadata fields from cleaned copies and
then verifies those outputs using its supported rules. Verification does not
prove that every possible private signal, visible item, embedded object,
macro, unsupported property, or filename disclosure is absent. Review the
cleaned file itself before sharing sensitive material.

Original files are not overwritten by the normal cleaning workflow.