How to Remove Open Password from PDF File? Step-by-Step Guide
To remove open password from PDF, the first thing you require is an open password. Without it, it is difficult to unlock a secured PDF file. Open the file with the correct password, then save it using methods such as using Chrome, Adobe Acrobat, command line or a verified desktop tool. Removing an open password means your data is no longer encrypted, and you don’t need to enter password every time. Make sure that you have the original password with you to remove PDF password protection, as all three methods explained in this guide require it. If you own the file or are authorised to access it, let’s dive deeper into the explanation of methods that you can try to remove open password from PDF.
What is a PDF Open Password?
A PDF open password acts like a lock on your PDF that keeps the data encrypted and does not allow a user to access data without a password. Without it, you cannot access the details or content of the PDF. There is no preview allowed in this case. It is also known as user password.
Encrypted data means the data is not in its real form right now. It mostly stays unrecognisable or unreadable, and can only be decrypted using the open password. Government IDs, documents, and bank statements use open passwords to protect their sensitive data from being misused.
Who can Access a PDF with Open Password?
People who have the original password can access the file. The categories are explained below-
- Owner– the person who sets the passwords of the PDF.
- Recipient– the person to whom the owner sends the PDF with the original password.
- Authorised person– Accountants, family members, and other people with whom the owner shared the original password.
Ways to Remove PDF Open Password
There are 4 different ways you can remove open password from PDF efficiently. Let’s check which is the most suitable for you-
Browser-based Tool
Unlock PDF open password using Google Chrome
The quickest method to remove open password from PDF is Google Chrome, as almost every other person uses it. The steps to help you remove the password from PDF are explained below–
- Step 1: Open your PDF in Google Chrome
- Step 2: It will ask for the password to open the file. Fill the correct password.
- Step 3: Now give the print command or press Ctrl + P.
- Step 4: Save it as a PDF and choose the name and location on your device.
The file that you have saved just now does not contain the open password as it has saved an unprotected copy of the original PDF.
Online Tool
Remove open password from PDF using Adobe
The paid version of Adobe Acrobat gives you almost full control of a PDF. If you already have a subscription, you can follow the steps below–
- Step 1: Open Adobe’s PDF unlock tool available online in your browser.
- Step 2: Fill in the open password.
- Step 3: Click Tools, under that click Protect, then Encrypt, and lastly click Remove Security.
- Step 4: Click Confirm to proceed with the process.
- Step 5: Save the file as a new unlocked copy of the PDF.
Offline Tool
Command Line Tools (For Advanced Users) to Remove PDF Document Password
Tools like QPDF (a command-line program) can be used to remove passwords.
- Step 1: Download and install QPDF.
- Step 2: Run a command similar to
qpdf --password=your-password --decrypt input.pdf output.pdf - Step 3: The output file will be free of the open password
A professional tool– PDF Protection Remover Tool
A professional offline tool is the most suitable and convenient method for you to remove open password from PDF. This is where a tool such as Revove’s PDF Restriction Remover comes into the spotlight. Let’s see how you can use it–
- Step 1: To install it, you need to download it first from its official website.
- Step 2: After installation, select the file(s)/ folder you need to remove open password from.
- Step 3: Enter the password for whichever file it shows a password prompt.
- Step 4: Press Unlock, and it will start the process to remove open password from PDF.
- Step 5: It will also remove the permissions from the PDF so that users can use the content as per requirement.
- Step 6: Save the unlocked PDF copy to your local device.
Video tutorial:
Advantages of Offline over Online or browser-based Tool
- It keeps the original format of your PDF protected and keeps all the data intact.
- It handles more than one file as well as a whole folder at once and unlocks in minutes.
- Is completely free of cost and can unlock files without any paid subscription.
- It does not change the original PDF. A new PDF copy without any open password is saved on your device.
Note: If you’re looking to secure your PDFs. Then you can consider PDF Lock Software which keeps your important documents safe by adding strong security features. It lets you control who can open, print, or copy your files. Easy to use for everyone, it saves time by securing multiple files at once. It’s a must-have for protecting your information in the digital world.
Important Considerations
- The document open password is required to access the PDF. You cannot access or remove restrictions from a PDF file if it has an open password, and you don’t know it or are not authorized to open.
- Keep the original PDF file secured separately. Do not make permanent changes in the original PDF file. Use Revove tools, which keep the actual PDF file secured while generating a new unprotected copy for your use.
- Think twice before removing the protection. A sensitive PDF, when gets unprotected, can be misused by some other user. Ensure every aspect before you remove open password from PDF.
- Stay safe from online protection remover tools. These tools can save your data to their third-party server, and your sensitive data can be misused without your knowledge.
- When you remove a document open password from PDF that contains a digital signature, it can invalidate the signature, so ensure you have the original protected PDF safe on your device.
- After removing protection, check and confirm the authenticity of the data and if you can open the PDF without the password.
Conclusion
To remove open password from PDF, you have easy and quick solutions available, but what actually makes it effortless is the password. If you remember the password of your PDF file, you can use a smart and verified desktop tool to get an unprotected clean copy of it. Chrome’s print to PDF option and Adobe’s paid subscription can also give you results if you have the open password and have already bought Adobe’s subscription.
The important point to remember is to use these methods and tools only on the PDFs you are authorized to work with, or own the files. Keep your original document safe before removing the password.
FAQs
Is it possible to remove open password from PDF without password?
Ans. Yes, it is possible, but not with the methods mentioned above. In this case, you can refer to another tool to recover your PDF password, and then after recovering it, you can unlock it using these methods and tools.
Is it safe to remove the password from my bank statements?
Ans. Until and unless you handle it carefully, your unprotected bank statements PDF is safe. Make sure you do not keep it in shared folders or share it over unsecured platforms.
Can I add the password back to a PDF later?
Ans. Yes. Some verified PDF tools can lock your unprotected PDF. You can set up a new password with the help of such tools.
Why am I unable to locate the Remove Security option in Adobe Acrobat?
Ans. It is probably because you are using the free Reader and not a paid subscription. Free Reader does not allow you to remove passwords or restrictions from the PDFs. You can buy a subscription or can use Revove’s tool if you need a free tool to remove it.
Do I need an internet connection to remove open password from a PDF?
Ans. If your PDF is already saved on your device and is not present on a drive, it can be processed without internet. The safest option to do is use an offline desktop tool, which is entirely local.