While password protecting PDF files is a good security measure, there are times when you may find the need to remove password from a particular protected PDF File.
For example, in a work related situation; you may find the need to remove password from a protected PDF in order to provide easy access to another user who needs to access the same file.
Another case which is quite normal in a work related situation is to find a File being locked with password by an employee that is no longer working for the company or has forgotten the password.
Related: How to Change Default PDF Reader in Windows 11/10.
Remove Password from Protected PDF Files
If you know the current password for protected PDF file, you can remove password from protected PDF files by using Adobe Acrobat, Web browsers and the Preview App.
If you have forgotten the password, you can try some of the free password removal tools as provided below in this guide.
1. Remove Password Using Web Browser
An easy way to remove password from a protected PDF File is by opening the File using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari browser and saving the file without password.
1. Right-click on the protected PDF File > move to Open With and select Google Chrome or another web browser that you want to use.
2. When prompted, enter the password that was used to protect the file.
3. When the File opens in the web browser, click on the Print Icon located at top-right corner.
4. On the Print Menu that appears, select Save as PDF option and click on the Save button.
5. On the next screen, type a New Name for the file, select Save Location and click on the Save button.
The new file will be saved without the password.
2. Remove Password Using Preview App
If you are using a MacBook, you can make use of the Preview App to remove password from a protected PDF File.
1. Right-click on the protected PDF File > bring the mouse over Open With and select Preview,app.
2. If prompted, enter the password to open the File.
3. Next, click on the File tab in top-menu bar and select the Print option.
4. On the Print Menu, select Save as PDF option and click on the Print button.
5. Make sure that you type a New Name for the File and click on the Save button.
The resulting file will be saved as an unprotected PDF File, which can be opened without entering any password.
3. Remove Password Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
If you have the professional Edition of Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can remove password from the protected PDF File using the following steps.
1. Open the Locked PDF File and enter its current password.
2. Go to Tools > Protect > Encrypt > Remove Security.
3. Click on OK to save the document without password protection.
4. Remove Forgotten PDF File Password
If you have forgotten the password that is required to open the locked PDF File, you might be able to remove the password using both free and paid password removal tools like that are available in the market.
1. Free My PDF
Very simple and easy to use PDF Password removal tool that requires the users to upload the Locked PDF File to freemypdf.com and wait for the password to be removed.
The maximum file size that can be uploaded to FreeMYPDF.com is 200 MB, which should be more than adequate for most users.
Free My PDF allows you to upload Locked PDF Files from any operating system and does not require the user to download any program on your device.
2. PDF Password Remover
This is a free password removal tool; which is available for download in Windows & macOS versions at pdfpasswordremover.com.
Once the password removal tool is installed on the computer, you will find that it has a very simple PDF-in and PDF-out interface, which allows you to input the Locked PDF file into the program and get it out after the Password is removed.
3. BeCyPDFMetaEdit
This is another free tool, which that can be used to remove password from protected PDF Files.
- Download BeCyPDFMetaEdit from FILEHIPPO or any other reputable site on your computer.
- Run the tool and you will be prompted to upload the PDF file from its location on your computer.
- Do not immediately select the file, first select the Complete Rewrite option and then select the PDF file that you want to remove the password from.
- Click on the tab Security and set the security system to No encryption
- Click the Save button to save a copy of your PDF without a password
We hope that one of the above methods has helped you remove password from a protected PDF File.