In daily and professional life, we often come across PDF documents that are password protected. Encryption is used to protect the intellectual property of the document, as well as to ensure its security. However, if you want to make edits and changes to your password-protected PDF file, you will need to know how to remove the password. In today's article, we will discuss several simple steps on how to **remove password from PDF**.
How PDF Files are Password Protected
Storing documents in PDF format is common practice due to its versatility and security. Many times, PDF files are encrypted with passwords to ensure maximum security. However, passwords can also be a hassle if you forget or need to edit the PDF file. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome this obstacle.
The first step to removing a password from a PDF document is to understand how PDF encryption works. An owner of a PDF document can set two types of passwords: an open password (also known as a user password) and a permissions password (owner password).
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to Remove Password from a PDF
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a professional tool for working with PDF files. Although it is not free to use, it offers a 7-day trial period that you can use. Here are the steps:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Enter password if prompted
- Go to “File” -> “Properties” -> “Security”
- From the “Security” drop-down menu, choose “No Security”
- Click “Ok” and confirm the security removal
- Save the file.
Remove PDF Password with Google Chrome
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can use Google Chrome, which is a free and effective alternative. Google Chrome has a built-in functionality to print PDF files, which we can use to remove the password.
- Open password protected PDF document in Google Chrome
- Enter PDF password
- Once the file is open, click the “Print” icon
- In the destination option, choose “Save as PDF”
- Click "Save" and choose a location for your new file. Now, your new PDF will be passwordless.
Remove Password from PDF Using Online Tools
There are several trusted online tools like Smallpdf or ilovepdf that can **remove password from PDF**.
- Go to the Smallpdf website
- Click “Unlock PDF”
- Select and upload your PDF document
- Enter the password
- Click “Unlock PDF”. And that's it!
Please note that when using online tools, you are uploading files to an external server. Be sure to only use trusted services and be aware of the website's privacy policy.
The Use of Third Party Software
There are several third-party software programs that can remove the password from a PDF. These include free and paid tools like PDFMate, Soda PDF, A-PDF, etc.
Before choosing any third-party software, research the software, read the privacy and security policies carefully, and seek user reviews to make an informed decision.
In short, removing the password from a PDF can be easy using Adobe Acrobat Pro, Google Chrome, online services, or third-party software. Always remember to consider copyright laws and ethics before removing security from a PDF file.
