In our daily life, we share PDF files with our friends or classmates for various reasons. This format is used widely to share documents due to its compatibility and security facilities. So, when we go to open it we face trouble because it is password protected.
Often we do not know or we forget what the PDF password was. That is why we are here, how can you remove a password from a PDF file?
There are many reasons to remove the password from PDFs, such as editing files or printing purposes. In this article, we will explain in detail the ways to remove passwords from PDF files efficiently.
5 ways to remove passwords from PDF
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format for sharing documents across different platforms when you want to retain the original format.
However, PDF files have a security feature like a PDF password, which ensures that only authorized persons can access their content.
In such a situation, if the user does not know the PDF password then he may have to face problems. That’s why a user wants to remove the password from the PDF file.
If you are in the same and want to remove your password from the PDF file, then in this article we will explore 5 ways to remove passwords from PDF files.
1: Online using PDF password remover
Online PDF password removers are the best tools that allow you to remove passwords from PDF files without installing any software. You need to upload a password-protected PDF and then you can download the unlocked version.
However, you should be careful when using online tools to ensure the security and privacy of your documents. Here are the names of software that you can use to open PDF files.
- Adobe Acrobat, PDF Unlocker, PDF Password Remover, PDFCrack, etc
- Command-Line Tools
- Using Google Chrome
Specifically, if you are an Adobe Acrobat Pro user then follow the steps below:
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Go to the “File” menu, select “Properties”
- Click the “Security” tab, and then select “No Protection” from the drop-down menu.
- Save the document to remove password protection.
The above method is where you can remove the password from the PDF and it is the best option especially if you work with PDF documents regularly.
2: Command-Line Tools
If you are an advanced user then you may prefer to use command-line tools to remove passwords from PDF files. Tools like QPDF provide command-line interfaces that allow you to automate PDF password removal tasks.
Although these tools require technical proficiency, you can manage customization options for PDF security.
3: Using Google Chrome
You can remove PDF passwords by using Google Chrome:
- Open a password-protected PDF in Google Chrome
- Enter the password when prompted
- Go to the Print menu (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P)
- Select “Save as PDF” as the printer, and save the document without the password.
4: Using Smallpdf
- Go to the Smallpdf website.
- Select the “Unlock PDF” tool.
- Upload a password-protected PDF and enter the password when prompted.
- Then download the unlocked PDF without the password on your computer.
5: Other alternative ways
There an alternative ways to remove passwords from PDF files. For example, converting a password-protected PDF to another format, such as PDF to Word or Excel and more.
However, this method may result in the loss of elements in the original PDF. You should consider this when looking for alternative solutions.
How to Remove Password from PDF without Software?
If you prefer to remove passwords from PDF without using software or any other tools, then alternative methods are available:
Printing to PDF:
Open the password-protected PDF file and print it using Microsoft Print to PDF.
During the printing process, you will be asked to enter the password. Once you provide the correct password, the file will be saved as a new PDF without password protection.
Google Chrome:
Google Chrome has a built-in PDF viewer that can bypass password protection files:
- Open the password-protected PDF in Chrome
- Enter the password when prompted.
- Then, use Chrome’s print function to save the PDF as a new file without the password.
Using Mac:
If you are using a Mac, you can use the Preview application to remove the password from the PDF.
- Open a password-protected PDF in Preview.
- Enter the password, then go to File Export as PDF.
- This will create a new PDF file without password protection.
Conclusion
Removing passwords from PDF files is a simple task. You can remove passwords from PDFs using online tools, PDF editing software, command-line tools, and dedicated software. However, prioritize security and privacy when using this software to unlock PDF files.
