How to Create a New Digital ID in Adobe Acrobat Pro X
Question details
The user needs to create a new digital ID for signing PDFs because the password for their existing digital ID or signature preference file was rejected or forgotten.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro X
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to import an existing digital ID or signature preference file into Acrobat Pro X to digitally sign a document.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat rejects the password during the import process. Since the original password is unavailable, the old digital ID cannot be recovered or used.
Verify that you do not have a secure backup or password manager containing your old digital ID password, as forgotten digital ID passwords cannot be recovered or reset by Adobe.
Generate a New Digital ID in Adobe Acrobat
Since lost digital ID passwords cannot be recovered, the only viable resolution is to create a completely new digital ID file to use for future document signatures.
Digital IDs are heavily encrypted to ensure the legal validity and security of your signatures. Because of this encryption, there is no 'forgot password' feature for local digital ID files (.pfx or .p12). Creating a new ID is the standard procedure when access is lost.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro X. Click on the 'Edit' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown list.
In the Preferences dialog box, select 'Signatures' from the categories pane on the left side. Under the 'Identities & Trusted Certificates' section, click the 'More...' button.
In the Digital ID and Trusted Certificate Settings window, highlight 'Digital IDs' on the left. Click the 'Add ID' button (the icon featuring a plus sign) located in the top toolbar.
Choose the option 'A new digital ID I want to create now' and click 'Next'. Specify where you want to store it (usually 'New PKCS#12 digital ID file') and click 'Next' again.
Fill in your identity information including your name, organizational unit, and email address. Click 'Next', choose a file location, and set a new, highly memorable password. Click 'Finish' to complete the setup.
Use WPS PDF to Securely Sign Your Documents
WPS Office provides a powerful, built-in PDF editor that makes creating and managing digital signatures incredibly straightforward. You can securely sign documents, fill out forms, and manage your digital identity without the complex recovery hurdles found in older software.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Access signature tools: Navigate to the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Protect' tab on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Create a new signature: Click on the 'Sign' button and select 'Create Signature' from the dropdown options.
- 4. Apply your signature: Choose whether to type, draw, or upload an image of your signature, then click on the document page to place it securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my forgotten digital ID password in Adobe Acrobat?
No, Adobe Acrobat does not store digital ID passwords for security reasons. If you lose or forget the password to your digital ID file (.pfx or .p12), it cannot be recovered, and you must create a new one.
Will my old signatures become invalid if I create a new digital ID?
No, documents you previously signed with your old digital ID will remain valid as long as the certificate was trusted at the time of signing. However, you must use your newly created digital ID for any future document signatures.
How do I delete my old, inaccessible digital ID in Acrobat?
Go to Edit > Preferences > Signatures > Identities & Trusted Certificates > More. Select your old digital ID from the list, click 'Remove ID', and confirm. If it asks for the password to remove it, you may need to manually locate and delete the physical .pfx file from your computer's file explorer.
