PDF
How To Remove Password From PDF: Step-by-Step Guide
You can remove a password from a PDF using free online websites, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Google Chrome, or a dedicated desktop tool, but only if you know the correct password. Removing the password takes under a minute and needs no technical skills.
This guide explains why you may want to remove a password from a PDF, the different methods and tools you can try, and the safety and legal points to keep in mind.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Open password is required to open and view the file. Without it, you cannot open the file at all.
- Permissions password lets you open the file but restricts actions like editing, printing, or copying text from the PDF.
- You need the correct password to open the PDF and remove its protection.
- Online tools are quick and free, but they work on third-party servers. Avoid uploading sensitive PDFs to them.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro removes the protection permanently, but it requires a paid subscription.
- Google Chrome‘s built-in Save as PDF option is completely free, but it may disturb the formatting or forms in your PDF.
Why Remove a Password from a PDF?
- No longer need for protection– When the information is no longer sensitive, like an old invoice, a report, or a public document, the PDF does not need a password anymore and can be shared easily.
- Open the file on a daily basis– Entering the password every time you open a PDF wastes time. If you use the file often and the password is long or hard to remember, removing it is a better option.
- Sharing the PDF becomes easy– Sending a password-protected PDF means sharing the password with the receiver every time. Instead of adding this extra step, share the unlocked copy, which the receiver can open anytime on any device.
- Easily print, copy, or edit the content– Permissions passwords can block actions like printing, editing, and copying. To perform them, you need to remove the restrictions from the PDF.
What Are Different Methods to Remove Password from PDF?
There are 4 methods you can use to easily remove a password from a PDF, both online and offline:
Method 1: Remove Password from PDF Free of Cost
Many online websites let you remove a password from a PDF with no subscription cost.
- Visit an online PDF password removal website.
- Upload your password-protected PDF.
- Enter the password when the prompt appears.
- Click Unlock and download the new unprotected PDF.
Challenges:
- Never upload sensitive files such as bank statements, IDs, or financial records.
- Choose a website that does not store your data on its server.
- Only use websites that have an HTTPS address.
Method 2: Remove Password from PDF Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro can remove passwords and restrictions from a PDF if you have a paid subscription. The free Acrobat Reader cannot remove password security from a PDF, so you need Acrobat Pro.
- Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro and enter the password.
- In the left panel, choose Tools > Protect > Encrypt > Remove Security (in some versions: Tools > Protect > Advanced Options > Remove Security).
- If your file has an open password or a permissions password, type that password and click OK.
- Save the file by clicking File > Save.
Challenges:
- You need to buy an Acrobat Pro subscription to remove a password from a PDF.
- If the file also has an owner password, the Remove Security or No Security option is greyed out until you open it with that password.
- Menu names may vary slightly between Acrobat versions.
Method 3: Remove a PDF Password Using Google Chrome
Google Chrome can also help you remove a password from a PDF without a subscription or extra software.
- Drag the PDF into a Chrome tab and enter the password when the prompt appears.
- Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to open the print dialog.
- Set the destination to Save as PDF.
- Click Save.
Challenges:
- This method can disturb the structure of the PDF and interactive elements like forms and links.
- It is not suitable for PDFs containing sensitive data.
Method 4: Remove PDF Password Using Desktop Software
Using a desktop tool like the FreeViewer PDF Unlocker Tool makes it a safe choice for legal and sensitive documents like invoices, bank statements, and contracts. This tool removes both user and owner level passwords, unlocks multiple files together, keeps the PDF structure and formatting intact, and lets you edit, print, and copy text from the PDF.
Follow these steps to download the tool and remove a password from a PDF:
- Step 1: Download and install the software on your device.
- Step 2: Click the Add File(s) or Add Folder option to insert secured PDF files. Remove unwanted files using the Remove / Remove All option.
- Step 3: Click the Search Files option to browse PDFs.
- Step 4: View PDF file details such as File Size (MB), Permissions, and Password (if the file is password-protected).
- Step 5: Selecting the Save option lets you choose a destination folder for the unprotected files. The Print option prints the unlocked PDF files directly.
- Step 6: Click the Change button and select the destination location.
- Step 7: Click Unlock to remove the password from the PDF or from a whole folder (if selected).
- Step 8: A pop-up message will appear: “The PDF Files are Unlocked Successfully“. Click OK to confirm.
- Step 9: View the unlocked PDFs in the destination folder.
Which PDF Unlocking Method Is Best?
| Method | Cost | Works offline | Keeps formatting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeViewer Tool | Free demo version | Yes | Yes | Private, frequent, or bulk unlocking |
| Online websites | Mostly free | No | Varies | Quick, non-sensitive files |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Paid | Yes | Yes | Business use |
| Google Chrome | Free | Yes | Disturbs interactive fields | Occasional quick unlocking |
Attention: None of the above methods work if you forgot your PDF password. But don’t worry, you can recover the password using various offline tools available for both Windows and Mac.
Conclusion
Removing a password from a PDF is simple when you have the right to open the file. If your PDF contains confidential data, use desktop software, as it does not store your data on a third-party server and saves the unprotected files locally. Other methods like online websites, Acrobat Pro, and Google Chrome work best for a single PDF and are mostly recommended for non-sensitive content.
FAQs
- Can I add the password back later?
Yes. You can lock a PDF file with a password after removing it. You can also keep your original protected PDF copy safe for future use. - How much time does it take to remove restrictions from a PDF?
It only takes a few seconds to remove a password from a PDF. Large files may take more time. - How do I remove a password from a PDF on Mac?
You can download the Mac-compatible version of the software, then install and use it in exactly the same way. - Is internet required to remove the password from a PDF?
Not with the desktop tool. If you use free online websites, you need a reliable internet connection to remove the password.