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Raylander's avatar
Raylander
Brass Contributor
Jun 10, 2026

How to take off or deactivate password in pdf on Windows 11?

I have a PDF file on my Windows 11 PC that asks for a password every time it opens. Unfortunately, I forgot the pdf password, but it is annoying to enter it again and again, so I want to deactivate t...
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Yarisyoyo's avatar
Yarisyoyo
Bronze Contributor
Jun 10, 2026

Microsoft Word is a built-in office tool that can be used to remove password protection from PDF files, offering a convenient way to unlock password-protected PDFs without the need for third-party software.

How to take a password from a PDF

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word on your device.

Step 2: Go to File > Open, then select the password-protected PDF file you want to unlock.

Step 3: When prompted, enter the PDF password so that Word can convert the file.

Step 4: Once the file opens in Word, go to File > Save As.

Step 5: Select PDF as the output format and save the new file.

The final saved PDF file will no longer require a password to open.

This built-in method lets you how to take a password off a pdf quickly using software you likely already have installed, making it ideal for basic password removal tasks.

Pros

  • Performs well with plain-text PDFs, retaining most of the content

Cons

  • May cause minor formatting shifts
  • Not suitable for complex PDF files containing a large number of graphics or interactive elements
  • Cannot handle advanced encryption beyond basic password protection