PDF files are commonly used for sharing and distributing documents online. However, sometimes you may need to remove a password from a PDF for various reasons such as forgetting the password or if someone sends you a password-protected PDF that you need to edit. Unfortunately, most software that can remove passwords from PDFs are costly. In this article, we will be exploring the different methods that you can use to remove password from a PDF for free.
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What’s Needed
To remove password from a PDF, you will require a few things which include:
- A computer
- Internet connection
- A browser
- The PDF file with the password you want to remove
What Requires Your Focus?
To remove the password from a PDF file you will have to focus on the following:
- The method you want to use
- The steps provided for each method
- The pros and cons of each method
- The FAQs section and how they can help you
Different Methods to Remove Password from PDF
Method 1: Using Google Chrome
Removing password from a PDF using Google Chrome is one of the easiest methods. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Google Chrome and drag the PDF file with the password into the browser.
- Type in the password and open the PDF file.
- Click on the Print button or use the shortcut "Ctrl" + "P".
- Under the Destination option, choose "Save as PDF" and click on "Save".
- The new PDF file will be saved without a password.
Pros:
- It’s simple and does not require any additional software or tools
- It’s free
Cons:
- You need to know the password to open the PDF file
- You will need to have Google Chrome installed on your computer
Method 2: Using SmallPDF.com
SmallPDF.com is a popular online tool that allows you to remove password from a PDF. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to SmallPDF.com and click on "Unlock PDF".
- Drag and drop the PDF file with the password into the browser.
- Type in the password and click on "Unlock PDF".
- The PDF file will be saved without a password.
Pros:
- It’s free
- No software installation required
- Can handle multiple files
Cons:
- The maximum file size that can be uploaded is 50 MB
- You need to have an internet connection to use it
- Can only be used for a limited number of times before a purchase plan
Method 3: Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a popular PDF editor that allows you to remove password from a PDF. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and go to "File" > "Open".
- Select the PDF file with the password you want to remove.
- Enter the password and click "OK".
- Go to "File" > "Properties".
- Click on "Security" tab and select "No Security" option under "Security Method".
- Click on "OK" and save the PDF file.
Pros:
- It’s completely secure
- You can edit the document before saving it
- It has advanced features for PDF editing
Cons:
- It’s very expensive to buy the software
- It requires you to download and install the software on your computer
Why Can’t I Remove Password from PDF?
There may be several reasons why you may not be able to remove password from a PDF file such as:
1. You don’t know the password
If you don’t know the password for the PDF file, you may not be able to remove the password. In this case, you may have to try other methods such as guessing the password or using a brute force attack to crack it.
2. The PDF file is too large
Some online tools have a maximum file size limit for PDF files that can be uploaded. If the PDF file you want to remove the password from exceeds this limit, you may not be able to use the tool to remove password.
3. The PDF file is corrupted
If the PDF file you want to remove password from is corrupted, you may not be able to remove the password. In this case, you may need to repair the PDF file first before removing the password.
Fixes:
- If you don’t know the password, try to guess it or use a brute force attack to crack it.
- If the PDF file is too large, try using a different tool or reducing the size of the file.
- If the PDF file is corrupted, try repairing it using a PDF repair tool before trying to remove the password.
Implications and Recommendations
Removing the password from a PDF file can have several implications such as making the document vulnerable to unauthorized access. Therefore, it’s recommended that you only remove the password from a PDF file that you are sure is safe and won’t be accessed by unauthorized persons. It’s also recommended that you use a reputable PDF editor to remove the password from the PDF file.
5 FAQs about Removing Password from PDF
Q1: Is it safe to remove password from a PDF file?
A: Removing the password from a PDF file can make the document vulnerable to unauthorized access. Therefore, it’s recommended that you only remove the password from a PDF file that you are sure is safe and won’t be accessed by unauthorized persons.
Q2: Can I remove password from a PDF file for free?
A: Yes, there are several methods that you can use to remove password from a PDF file for free such as using Google Chrome, SmallPDF.com, or using a trial version of a PDF editor.
Q3: Can I remove password from a PDF file without software?
A: Yes, you can use online tools such as SmallPDF.com to remove password from a PDF file without installing any software.
Q4: Can I remove password from a PDF file without knowing the password?
A: No, you need to know the password to remove it from the PDF file. If you don’t know the password, you may try to guess it or use a brute force attack to crack it.
Q5: Can Adobe Acrobat Pro DC remove password from a PDF file?
A: Yes, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC can remove password from a PDF file. However, it’s very expensive to buy the software.
In Conclusion
Removing password from a PDF file can be necessary for various reasons such as forgetting the password or needing to edit the PDF file. There are several methods that you can use to remove password from a PDF file for free such as using Google Chrome, SmallPDF.com, or using a trial version of a PDF editor. It’s important to be cautious when removing password from PDF files as it can make the document vulnerable to unauthorized access.