You've probably seen videos that go like: "If you don't want to enter a password each time you open your pdf, open it in Adobe or Google Chrome, enter your password, send the file to print and then save it, and you'll get a new file now without password". Doesn't this sound like a joke? The real question is how to remove a password from a pdf when you don't know it. Let's explore.
There's also a video version of this guide, if you prefer it that way, check out our How to Remove PDF Password video on YouTube.
When you know the password
This is just a quick walkthrough when you have a password-protected pdf and you know it or you can ask your mate or work colleague the password. Passwords are set by users in pdf viewer and/or editor applications, such as Adobe Acrobat, or sometimes older versions called Adobe Reader, which is the most widely used, especially in working corporate environments. I have Adobe Acrobat DC version too, and it has capabilities to create, edit, comment, sign, share files. And I have a pdf file with a password as an example.
So here's what you do. Open a file, enter a password, go to Tools, listed here on the right or locate the Tools tab here on top, next to Home, and find the Protect section. Then go to either Encrypt or More Options above the document. In the 2nd one go to Security Options, and in the Security Method field (password) go to Change settings, and there you may uncheck the box above the password, in Adobe it is called "Require a password to open the document". Then you can change it to require a password only to edit or print the document. Similarly, go to Encrypt, and then Remove Security, confirm and that's it.
If you use any other pdf viewer app, it will be about the same, for example PDF XChange - open your file with a password, look at the tools, find Protect and view the options. It will be under Security Properties, the window similar to Adobe Acrobat with the document security method, and you have to click the Change Settings button next to it. Select "No security" and confirm. Basically, in any software you'd just look for Security, Protection tabs or similar tools and you'll find it there.
Alternatively, you can shortcut the process if you'd like to save a pdf to your device, for example, you get a document from a mate and you want to save it without a password, but you do not have a pdf editing software installed. This is usually referred to as "the print method". All you need for this is first a password, of course, and a web browser. I'm 100% sure you have the latter at least. So drag the pdf into a browser, it will open in a new tab. Click the Print icon, and in the Destination field, select Save as PDF, and click Save. Once you save it as a new file, it will no longer require a password to access it.
Without knowing the password
Of course, the main question still remains: Can I open a pdf document if I don't have a password? The short answer would be: it is quite hard but still possible. Let's explore. So in a situation when you'd like to "crack" a pdf, what do you do? Right, you search for some software, some special utility or a tool that is able to execute the task. As with any other software we have 2 options: online and desktop.
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Online
There are various utilities that can decrypt files including erasing passwords. However, the problem is that despite all of them claiming to be able to unlock pdfs still require an original password in the first place. This is misleading. Here's an example, a tool from SmallSEOTools, popular for grammar and plagiarism checks, I click Unlock and it asks for a password. Or here's another one by AvePDF: "please enter your file password to unlock". This is ridiculous, if I knew it, I would not be here on your website uploading a document.
Luckily, I've managed to find 3 online tools that really work and actually unlock documents. They are all straightforward, by the way, you basically have to click 2 buttons: upload/drag and unlock/remove. The first one is ILovePDF, check this out. I'm selecting my test pdf document and clicking Unlock, it is saved to my PC. Here I also see that this software has versions for Android, iOS, Mac and Windows as well, so I'll download the Windows version to check it out later. Now I'm opening my saved pdf - no password needed anymore. Easy-peasy.
The next one is PDFCandy - free online pdf converter with dozens of related tools, such as edit, merge, convert to Word or JPG, split, rotate, and unlock (is what we need). Add files and click Unlock. You'd have to wait a bit, depending on password strength. If successful, download the file. Also, I forgot to tell you before that such online tools come with certain limitations and aren't always totally free, and here's an example of this. 1 download per hour, and since I've used this utility a few moments ago, that's my limit. Of course, you can pay and go unlimited. The other typical restriction is file size. But the main fact is that PDFCandy works, it really removes password protection.
The third one is Password Recovery by LostMyPass. And here's the note about the maximum file size of 100Mb, as mentioned. I'm adding my document, processing now, and "your password is recovered". You've probably guessed my password already, and here it is decrypted. This is also a proper caution for all users - don't use "password" as a password, or similar variations like "1234". This service also has Password Remover, which is basically the same, but with a reminder that a strong protection removal would be a paid option.
There are probably more such appw, although 3 is enough to demonstrate, perhaps. Find the links in the description below.
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Desktop apps
Unfortunately, here I have bad news: desktop applications for removing pdf passwords are a total failure. I made this decision to structure the video based on 2 typical options with software - online and desktop. But when it came to testing the desktop apps for Windows, in my case, I had no luck in finding any one, at least one, doing the task. And it goes back to the misleading concept of so-called "pdf password removers" that require a password (??) to access a file. Most online services are also like this but at least I've managed to find a few that can really go around the password and remove it.
One of those was iLovePDF so I was putting high hopes on its Windows version, but no. Unlock your PDF by entering a password, thank you (*sarcasm*). Once again, if I knew the password, what would be the point of installing the separate software? Then I've tried Ajoysoft app - the same, Weeny app - the same, … Wondershare app, SysInfotools by McAfee, Aimersoft app and about a dozen more apps - it's all the same.
Summary
Well, this is it. If you are a regular user like me, you have not much choice when it comes to removing passwords from PDF documents - when you don't know the password. I am still as frustrated as in the beginning of this research because of the misconception with these password removers. At least, I've managed to find 3 proper online services that fit the description and can do the job - find the links below. Also, when you try to unlock a password-protected digital document, make sure it is legal and appropriate in your situation, corporation or work environment. Another risk to consider is confidentiality: when you are using online services, you upload documents to their servers for processing, and who knows for how long they keep them and where those documents could end up.
Again, apologies if this video didn't give you many options and analysis, as we are used to do and strive for. I am not going to assure you I have all the answers when I don't, our reviews are honest and unbiased, as I've repeated more than once. Or maybe I've done my homework poorly, and there are more utilities that actually work (when you don't have a password), please enlighten me in the comments!