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How to Open Password-protected PDF without Password

July 31, 2023 3.5K views

While password-protected PDF files can be a useful way to safeguard sensitive data, losing or forgetting the password can be a major inconvenience. If you're in a situation where you need to urgently access information contained in a password-protected PDF file but can't remember the password, don't worry. In this article, we'll present you with several options, both free and paid, to open a password-protected PDF file without requiring a password.

Due to their versatility and ease, PDFs are an enormously popular format for document sharing and storage. But, occasionally, we come across PDFs that are password-protected and for which we don't have the password. This can be upsetting, especially if we really require immediate access to the content. So let's get started and look at how to access password-protected PDF content.

Open Password-protected PDF without Password Using WPS Office

WPS Office is a well-known office program that supports several file formats, including PDFs, and can open, edit, and save them. Here's how to use WPS Office to access a password-protected PDF:

  1. Download and install WPS Office on your device. You can download it from the official website.

  2. Open WPS Office Writer and click on the "Open" button.

  3. Select the password-protected PDF you want to open and click on "Open." A dialog box will appear asking for the password.

  4. In the dialog box, select the "Do not encrypt" option and click "OK." This part will remove the password protection and allow you to access the PDF's content.

Open Password-protected PDF without Password Using Online Tools

Without installing any software, you can access a password-protected PDF using a variety of online tools. With PDF Unlock, follow these instructions:

  1. Go to the PDF Unlock website and upload the password-protected PDF.

  2. Enter the password, and then click on "Unlock PDF."

  3. Once the PDF is unlocked, click on "Download" to save the PDF to your device.

Open Password-protected PDF without Password Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a paid PDF editor that allows you to remove password protection from a PDF. Here’s how:

  1. Open the password-protected PDF in Adobe Acrobat.

  2. Click on the "Tools" menu and select "Protect."

  3. Click on "Encrypt" and then select "Remove Security."

  4. Enter the password in the dialog box and click on "OK."

  5. Save the PDF to your device.

Using Tips to Open Password-protected PDF without Password

  1. You can use the "Open with Google Documents" option to unlock a password-protected PDF file that is saved on your Google Drive.

  2. A password-protected PDF can be unlocked using the Preview app on a Mac device.

  3. Try using different passwords: If you've tried every password you can think of to open the PDF and none of them have worked, try utilizing a password recovery application like PDF Password Remover. These programs utilize forceful algorithms to retrieve the password and open the PDF.

  4. If everything else fails, you can try contacting the owner of the PDF and ask them to either remove the password protection or give you the password. If the PDF is a work document, you can get assistance from your IT department.

FAQs on How to Open Password-protected PDF

Q: Can I remove the password from a PDF?

Yes, it is possible to remove the password from a PDF using a PDF editor like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat. However, it is important to note that removing the password may violate the owner's privacy or security. It is best to obtain permission from the owner before removing the password.

Q: Is there any risk of viruses or malware when downloading password recovery tools?

Yes, there is a risk of downloading viruses or malware when downloading password recovery tools. It is important to only download tools from reputable sources and to scan all files for viruses before opening them. It is also recommended to keep your antivirus software up to date to prevent any potential risks and threats.

Final Thoughts

WPS Office is a useful productivity tool that enables you to view and modify various file formats, including PDFs. By downloading WPS Office, you can utilize its features, which include the capability to unlock password-protected PDFs. You can find WPS Office for free download on their official website. We recommend WPS Office due to its intuitive interface, support for numerous file formats, and cost-effectiveness.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.