How to Remove Password from PDF: A Comprehensive Guide

I. Introduction

Having to enter a password every time you want to open a PDF file can be an annoying inconvenience. Fortunately, there are ways to remove password from PDF files so that they can be opened and edited more easily. In this article, we will cover multiple ways to remove password from PDF files, including Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, Google Chrome, SmallPDF, and third-party online services. We will also discuss alternative PDF readers that can open password-protected PDF files without requiring you to enter a password.

II. Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a paid software that enables users to create, edit, and manage PDF files. If you already have access to the software, you can use it to remove passwords from PDF files with just a few clicks.

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
2. Enter the password needed to open the file.
3. Click on “File” in the top left corner of the window.
4. Click on “Properties” in the dropdown menu.
5. Click on the “Security” tab in the Properties window.
6. Click on “Security Method” and select “No Security” from the dropdown menu.
7. Enter the password needed to confirm the action (if applicable).
8. Save the changes by clicking “OK” and selecting “Save”.

Once the changes have been saved, you can open the PDF file without being prompted to enter a password.

III. Using Google Chrome

If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, you can use Google Chrome to remove passwords from PDF files. Google Chrome has a built-in PDF viewer that enables users to open and save PDF files without requiring a password.

1. Open Google Chrome and type “chrome://settings” in the address bar.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Advanced”.
3. Under “Privacy and security”, click on “Content settings”.
4. Click on “PDF documents”.
5. Toggle the switch for “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome”.
6. Open the password-protected PDF file in Chrome.
7. Enter the password needed to open the file.
8. Click on the download icon in the top right corner of the page.
9. The PDF file will be saved to your computer without any password protection.

Note that you will only be able to remove passwords from PDF files that you open in Google Chrome.

IV. Using SmallPDF

If you don’t want to download any software or use Google Chrome, you can use SmallPDF, a web-based PDF editing tool, to remove passwords from PDF files.

1. Go to the SmallPDF website.
2. Click on “Unlock PDF”.
3. Drag and drop the password-protected PDF file into the designated box.
4. Enter the password needed to open the file.
5. Click on “Unlock PDF” again.
6. SmallPDF will remove the password from the PDF file.
7. Download the unlocked PDF file to your computer.

SmallPDF is a free tool, but some features are limited unless you upgrade to a paid account. Additionally, be aware that uploading sensitive documents to any online service comes with risks.

V. Online Services

There are several third-party online PDF password remover services that you can use to remove passwords from PDF files. These services are usually free and straightforward to use.

1. Go to a PDF password remover website (such as PDFUnlock, FoxyUtils, or PDFCandy).
2. Upload the password-protected PDF file.
3. Enter the password needed to open the file.
4. Click on “Unlock PDF” or a similar option.
5. Download the unlocked PDF file to your computer.

While these online services are convenient, they come with some risks. Uploading sensitive documents could be risky, and the quality of service might not be consistent.

VI. Common Reasons to Use a Password

PDF passwords are often used to protect documents from unauthorized access or modification. However, there might be unintended consequences of using passwords on PDF files. They can cause annoyances, confusion, and sometimes failed if a user of the document cannot remember the password.

File-sharing services have functionalities that generally replace the need for password-protected PDF files. You can grant users specific levels of access, allowing them to read, edit, or download files without needing a password. If collaboration is the main concern, using a file-sharing service could be the optimal solution.

VII. Alternative PDF Readers

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and Google Chrome are the most popular ways to remove passwords from PDF files but several pioneering companies have become alternative options.

Some of the better-known alternatives include Sumatra PDF, PDF-XChange Editor, Foxit Reader, and Nitro PDF Reader. Most of these options are free, user-friendly, and are capable of opening password-protected PDF files. In some instances, users can edit the PDF file as well.

VIII. Conclusion

Removing passwords from PDF files can be done in various ways, from using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to third-party online services. Choosing an appropriate method will depend on accessibility, purpose, and the level of risk the user is comfortable with. It’s important to note that uploading sensitive documents to online services always comes with some level of risk.

Ultimately, reducing the use of passwords and exploring other ways of sharing documents is the direction that can offer more convenient and secured means of sharing files.