As technology advances, the use of digital documents is becoming more widespread, and Word documents are no exception. It is common to create and save sensitive information, such as account login details, bank details, and personal information, in Word documents that are password protected. Having a password on a document ensures that only you and authorized personnel can access it. However, if you have forgotten your password or need to change it, it can be a daunting task. In this article, we will look at different methods of changing passwords on Word documents.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we delve into the different methods of changing the password of a Word document, there are some things you’ll need to prepare. Firstly, you’ll need a Word document that is password protected, and you’ll need to know the current password. Additionally, you’ll need to be familiar with the version of Microsoft office that you’re using, as some methods might not be supported in older or newer versions.
What requires your attention is…?
Changing a document password may seem like an easy task, but you need to be cautious as you may end up corrupting the document or losing it altogether. You should be keen not to change the password on a document that you’re not authorized to, or one that has important information as you may lock yourself out. Additionally, when implementing the different methods, carefully follow all the steps to avoid losing the document.
Method 1: Changing the Password using the File Tab
This method is recommended for users who have Microsoft Word versions 2013 and above.
1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the "File" tab.
3. Click the "Protect Document" button and select the "Encrypt with Password" option.
4. Delete the current password and enter the new one in the "Password" field.
5. Save the document.
Pros:
– Easy and fast to implement
– It’s supported in all Microsoft Word versions 2013 and above.
Cons:
– Only applicable to Microsoft Word versions 2013 and above.
Method 2: Changing the Password using the Save As Option
This method is applicable to all Microsoft Word versions.
1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the "Save As" option from the "File" menu.
3. Click on the "Tools" button and select the "General Options" option.
4. Delete the current password and enter the new one in the "Password to modify" field.
5. Save the document.
Pros:
– Applicable in all Microsoft Word versions.
Cons:
– You end up with two different versions of the same document.
– You need to remember which version has the new/ updated password.
Method 3: Changing the Password using VBA
This method requires basic coding skills and is recommended for experts who are familiar with Visual Basic Applications.
1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Press "Alt + F11" to open the VBA editor.
3. Double click on the "This Document" component, if you can’t find it, you can add it using "Insert -> Module" from the "Tools" menu.
4. Paste the following code:
Sub PasswordBreaker()
Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
On Error Resume Next
For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
ActiveDocument.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) _
& Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ActiveDocument.ProtectionType = wdNoProtection Then
MsgBox "Password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & _
Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & _
Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
5. Replace the current password with the new one.
6. Click on the "Run" button or press ‘F5’ on your keyboard.
Pros:
– It’s applicable to all Microsoft Word versions.
– Fast and efficient.
Cons:
– You need to be familiar with the VBA coding language.
– You may end up corrupting the document if you’re not familiar with coding.
Method 4: Changing the Password using a Third-Party App
This method is recommended for users who don’t want to take the time to learn coding or use Microsoft Word’s built-in features.
1. Download a password recovery software such as Passper for Word.
2. Install and launch the software.
3. Add the password-protected document to the software’s interface.
4. Choose a password attack type (Dictionary Attack, Brute Force Attack, or Mask Attack).
5. Set your password parameters and click "Start" to begin the password recovery process.
6. Once your password has been recovered, you can reset it.
Pros:
– It’s fast and efficient.
– You don’t need to have any coding experience.
Cons:
– It requires the installation of third-party software, which may come with its risks.
– Some password recovery tools may not be entirely reliable.
Why Can’t I Change The Password For My Word Document?
1. Wrong Document – Ensure that you’re trying to change the password of the right document.
2. Compatibility issues – Certain methods might not be supported by the version of Microsoft Office you’re using.
3. Forgotten Password – If you’ve forgotten your password, you may need to use a password recovery tool.
4. Corrupt Document – If the document is corrupt, some methods might not be suitable, and you might have to recreate the document.
Implications and Recommendations
Password protection is critical, especially when dealing with sensitive documents. However, as we have seen, it’s crucial to be cautious when changing passwords on Word documents. It would be best to use reliable methods when changing or recovering passwords, to avoid losing or corrupting the document. Additionally, to avoid the need to change the password, it’s recommended to set a memorable or unique password that you can easily remember or store securely.
FAQs
Q: Can I change the password for a document if I’ve forgotten the current password?
A: Yes, you can use password recovery tools such as Passper for Word to reset the password.
Q: What happens if I use the wrong method to change the password?
A: Changing passwords through the wrong method may result in the document becoming corrupt, or you losing access altogether.
Q: Is there a way to recover a document that is corrupted due to password changes?
A: Yes, you can try repairing it using the Microsoft Office Recovery tool.
Q: Can I use password recovery tools on any document?
A: No, not all password recovery tools work on all documents. Ensure that you use the recommended software for password recovery.
Q: Is it necessary to periodically change passwords?
A: It’s not a must, but it’s recommended to ensure better document security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing passwords on Word documents is a crucial task that should be performed with care to avoid corruption or loss of the document. With the methods provided, you should be able to update, recover, and change passwords for Microsoft Word documents with ease. Remember to take note of the implication and recommendations to ensure better document security.