Forum Discussion
Can I remove a password from a PDF without Acrobat on my Win 11?
Hello, I recently downloaded a PDF file with a password. I have to enter the password every time I open it, which is really troublesome. And I am using Windows 11, and I don’t have software like Adobe Acrobat.
I tried to find methods online, but some tools are charged and some are very complicated. I just want to ask, is there a simpler way to remove password from PDF? It’s best to be free and can be operated directly on Windows 11.
Has anyone tried to remove the PDF password using a browser or other tools? If you have specific steps or recommended tools, please share them. Thank you!
8 Replies
- EommySilver Contributor
Remove PDF password using browser (Google Chrome)
You can actually remove PDF password using Google Chrome, the operation is very simple:- First, use Chrome browser to open the passworded PDF file.
- After entering the password, the file will be displayed.
- Then click the "Print" button (Ctrl + P) in the upper right corner of the browser.
- In the pop-up window, select "Save as PDF" and save it to the place you want.
- In this way, the PDF file you saved will not be password protected, and you don't need to enter the password next time you open it.
- This method is free, does not require the installation of additional tools, and is simple and fast to operate.
2. Use a free PDF unlocking tool: Smalpdf
If you want to use a dedicated tool to remove PDF password protection, you can try Smalpdf, which is a free online tool:- Open the Smalpdf website
- Upload your passworded PDF file.
- After entering the password, Smalpdf will automatically unlock the file.
- After unlocking, you can download the PDF file with the password removed.
This method does not require the installation of any software, and can be operated directly online. Although it is an online tool, it is still quite fast.
3. Use a free PDF editing tool: PDF24
If you prefer to use desktop software, you can try PDF24, which is a free PDF editing tool that can be used to remove PDF passwords:- Download and install PDF24 Creator
- Open PDF24 and select the "PDF Unlock" tool.
- Upload the PDF file you want to remove the password from, enter the password, and PDF24 will unlock the file and generate a PDF without a password.
- Download the unlocked PDF file, and you don't need to enter the password again.
PDF24 is a powerful tool that supports a variety of PDF editing functions, including PDF password removal, suitable for users who like desktop applications.
- ThatchFrostIron Contributor
I recently encountered the PDF password problem, and then I found that Google Drive can also easily remove password from PDF. In fact, this method is quite simple, the steps are as follows:
Steps: Remove PDF password with Google Drive
1. Upload PDF to Google Drive:
First, upload the password-protected PDF file to your Google Drive. Simply drag it into the browser window or click "New" > "File Upload" to upload the file.2. Open PDF:
Once the upload is complete, find the file in Google Drive, right-click it, and select "Open with" > "Google Docs".It should be noted here that Google Docs will convert the PDF content to an editable format, but it will automatically remove the password protection of the PDF file.
3. Download the password-free PDF:
Wait for the file to open, and you will see that Google Docs will extract the PDF content. Then, just click the "File" menu in the upper left corner of the file and select "Download" > "PDF Document (.pdf)". The downloaded file no longer has a password!Why this method works:
Google Docs essentially converts the PDF content into an editable document, so it automatically removes the original password protection. Although this method is a bit troublesome, it is completely free and does not require the installation of additional tools.If your PDF contains complex content (such as a lot of pictures or tables), the formatting may be lost or garbled after converting to Google Docs. So it is best to check whether the content is lost first.
For ordinary text PDF files, this method is very effective and does not require any other software support.
In general, using Google Drive to remove PDF passwords is simple and free, suitable for those who don’t want to download complicated tools. I hope this method can help you! 😊 - RyderAspenIron Contributor
Hey, I've encountered this situation before. Every time I open a PDF, I have to enter the password. It's really troublesome! But don't worry, there is an easy way to remove PDF password on Windows 11, and it's free and doesn't require Adobe Acrobat.
Method 1: Use Microsoft Edge
- Open the passworded PDF file with Microsoft Edge and enter the password to unlock it.
- Click the Print icon in the upper right corner or press Ctrl + P.
- In the print window, set the print destination to "Save as PDF".
- Save it locally, and the generated new PDF file will have no password!
Method 2: Use online tools (such as Smalpdf or iLoveePDF)
- Open the browser and search for SmalpdfUnlock PDF or iLoveePDF Unlock PDF.
- Upload your encrypted PDF file and enter the password to unlock it.
- Download the password-free PDF file.
Note: If the content of the file is sensitive, it is recommended to use local methods (such as Edge printing) for safety. Both methods can easily remove PDF password and get it done in a few minutes. Try it! 😊
- BoboinIron Contributor
You can simply try all the simple passwords you could think of. Generally, attempting to open a password-protected PDF with incorrect passwords multiple times will not damage or corrupt the PDF file itself. PDF files are designed to maintain their integrity regardless of how many times they are accessed or attempted to be opened, whether successfully or unsuccessfully. However, there are a few considerations and scenarios to keep in mind.
While the PDF file itself remains unaffected, some PDF reader applications may implement security measures to protect against unauthorized access.:
- Temporary Lockouts: Some applications might temporarily lock the document or restrict further attempts after a certain number of failed password entries. This is to prevent brute-force attacks.
- Error Messages: Repeated incorrect attempts may lead to error messages or warnings, but these do not impact the file's integrity.
It is important to keep these in mind when you are trying to remove password from PDF file no matter what kind of tricks you apply!
- DelawareShoreIron Contributor
If you have access to the PDF password, you can also print the secured PDF to a new PDF file, effectively removing the password from PDF:
1. Open the PDF: Use any PDF reader that allows you to input the password—like Microsoft Edge or any other PDF viewer that supports it.
2. Enter Password: When prompted, enter the password to open the PDF.
3. Print the PDF:'
- Click on the Print option (or press Ctrl + P).
- In the printer selection menu, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
- Click on the Print button.
4. Save the New File: You’ll be prompted to save the newly created PDF file. Choose a location, give it a name, and click Save.
Now, this new PDF should be free of the password, and you can open it without any hassle!
- ErmiassBronze Contributor
If you know the user password, you can use the built-in "Microsoft Print to PDF" feature to create an unlocked copy.
How to remove password from PDF file:
- Open the PDF in a PDF reader (e.g., Microsoft Edge).
- Enter the password to view the document.
- Press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
- Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer.
- Click "Print" and choose a location to save the new PDF without a password.
Removing a password from a PDF on Windows 11 without Adobe Acrobat is feasible using various online tools, free software, or third-party PDF editors. Always ensure you are authorized to modify the PDF and handle sensitive information responsibly. Choose the method that best fits your needs while maintaining the security and integrity of your documents.
- SendallIron Contributor
You can remove a password from PDF without using Adobe Acrobat on a Windows 11 system. However, it's essential to understand the types of PDF passwords and ensure you have the legal right to remove the password from the document. Below is an overview of PDF password types and various methods to remove them without Acrobat.
PDF User Password (Open Password): Restricts the opening of the PDF. Users need to enter this password to view the document. It is commonly used to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Owner Password (Permissions Password): Controls the permissions for the PDF, such as printing, editing, or copying content. It is used to restrict certain actions on the PDF while allowing it to be opened without a password.
The solution is different for PDF open and permission password. You should first note what kind of password the PDF file has!
- FloridaKeysCopper Contributor
Here’s a nifty way to remove password from PDF on Windows 11 using Microsoft tools, particularly if you've got access to Microsoft Word (and we’re assuming you have the password):
1. Open the PDF in Word:
- Open Microsoft Word and go to "File" -> "Open."
- Select your PDF file. Word will convert the PDF to an editable format. It might give you a heads up saying that some formatting could be lost, but that's cool for the sake of getting rid of the password.
2. Enter the Password:
- When prompted, enter the password to unlock the PDF.
3. Edit and Save:
- Once it's open, you can make any edits or just save it. Go to "File" -> "Save As" and choose PDF from the save options.
- Name it whatever you want and save it in your desired location. Now it should be free from any password!