How to Remove a Password From a PDF You Own

A PDF password can be useful when sharing a document, but inconvenient for a file you own and open often. If you know the current password and have permission to change the file, a trusted PDF application may let you save an unprotected copy. Menu names vary by application and version, so consult its documented security settings.

Before changing the file

Only remove protection from a PDF you own or are authorized to modify. You must know the password needed to open it; this is not a way to bypass or crack a password. If the author restricted changes, ask for permission or an unrestricted copy.

Keep the original until you have checked the new copy. Anyone who obtains a copy without an opening password may be able to read it, so consider that when storing or sharing the file.

General steps

1. Open the PDF in a reputable application and enter its current password.
2. Find the document’s security settings. Depending on the application, the option may be called remove security, change security, or save without password.
3. Confirm with the current password if requested, then save a separate copy.
4. Close and reopen that copy to verify it works as expected. Keep the original until you have checked the result.

If the application does not offer an authorized way to change the settings, do not try to defeat the restriction. Contact the document owner or request another copy. For other browser-based PDF tasks, see the PDF tools category.