To remove a password from a PDF, you generally need to know the original password and have permission to unlock the file. Here are the main methods:
Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro and enter the password to access it.
- Go to Tools > Encrypt > Remove Security or open the File > Properties > Security tab.
- Select No Security in the Security Method dropdown.
- Click OK and save the PDF to remove the password permanently
Using Print to PDF (Windows, macOS, or Chrome)
- Open the password-protected PDF and enter the password.
- Use the Print command (Ctrl+P on Windows, Command+P on Mac).
- Select Save as PDF or a PDF printer as the destination.
- Save the new file; this copy will not have a password
Using Online Tools
- Upload your PDF to a trusted online PDF password remover site.
- Enter the password when prompted.
- The site removes the password and lets you download the unlocked file.
- Be cautious with sensitive documents when using online services
Using Other Software (e.g., Wondershare PDFelement)
- Open the PDF in the software and enter the password.
- Disable the password protection via the security or protect settings.
- Save the PDF without password restrictions
Important Notes
- You must know the password to remove it legally and effectively.
- Avoid untrusted third-party tools that may compromise your document’s security.
- Always save the unlocked PDF as a new file to preserve changes
This covers the most reliable and common ways to remove passwords from PDFs.
