How to Unlock Secured PDFs For Editing & Printing Easily

Why is PDF Password Protection a Must?

Generally, people rely on PDF, being a universally accessible and versatile format for backup. Also, it is convenient for sharing across all platforms. But it is also easy to alter and modify PDF data. Therefore, users secure PDF files with a password and apply encryption.

PDF files are secured in two primary ways:

• Open Password: Here, one needs to enter a password to view the document.
• Permissions Password: This restricts unauthorised actions like editing, printing, or copying content.

So, you need a password and a reliable method to unlock password protected PDF for editing and printing.

Types of PDF Restrictions

Before you unlock secured PDF, explore the types of restrictions applied to PDF. There are two main types of passwords in PDFs: Owner Password and User Password.

Owner Password (Permissions Password): An owner password restricts what someone can do with a PDF file. This includes:

• Editing the content
• Copying text or images
• Printing the document
• Adding or removing pages
• Extracting content for reuse

These restrictions are usually applied to protect document formatting or intellectual content. Tools like Adobe Acrobat, SmallPDF, or Google Chrome may help remove these if you have legal access.

User Password (Open Password): A user password is required to open the PDF file in the first place. If you don’t know this password, you won’t be able to view or interact with the document at all. These PDFs are fully encrypted and usually need the original password or a specialized tool to unlock Adobe PDF file.

How to Know a PDF is Secure?

If you have a heap of PDF files to work on, but you do not know if they are protected or not. So, to check that, here are the symptoms:

• You see a lock icon when opening the file.
• When you open PDF in Adobe Reader, it says: ‘This document has restricted features.’
• The Copy, Print, or Edit options are greyed out in the menu.
• Go to File > Properties > Security tab. It shows: “Security Method: Password Security”.

Hence, let us proceed to unlock password-protected PDF files.

How to Unlock PDF File Without a Password?

Well, due to security and privacy reasons, no method can unlock a PDF file without a password. However, here are multiple ways discussed to enable editing in PDF as well as printing.

1. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

If you know the PDF password, follow these steps:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
2. After that, go to File > Properties > Security.
3. Choose No Security from the ‘Security Method’ dropdown.
4. Enter the password when prompted and save the document.

Please Note: This method requires an Adobe Acrobat Pro DC subscription.

2. Unlock PDF Printing via Google Chrome

There are cases when users can open a PDF file, but it restricts editing, printing, and other activities. Here is how you can print them:

1. Firstly, open the PDF in Google Chrome.
2. Next, press Ctrl + P or click on the Print icon.
3. In the Destination section, select Save as PDF.
4. Click on Save to create a new, unrestricted copy.

However, this method may not remove PDF restrictions for all secured PDFs.

Alternative Solution: You can also try various free PDF Restriction Remover Tools available online to removes password protection from PDF file easily. However, they are risky for your confidential data. Moreover, a lack of advanced functionalities makes the task more difficult.

3. Direct Tool to Unlock Secured PDF for Editing & Printing

When you cannot rely on any of the methods discussed above, opt for expert-suggested professional software. Aryson PDF Unlocker Software is what you need to enable editing in PDF file. This software lets users unlock password protected PDF files in bulk. If you are wondering how to unlock PDF file without password, it’s not possible. You must know the password to your PDF files.

Follow the process below to remove protection from PDF files:

1. Download Aryson PDF Unlocker Tool.
2. Install and run the software on your PC.
3. Add the PDF File you want to unlock and click Next.
4. Choose what you want to do: Keep the current password, Remove the password, or Set a new password.
5. If needed, edit metadata and manage attachments.
6. Click “Unlock” to start the process and unlock PDF for editing and printing.

Things You Should Consider

• You should only try to unlock PDFs for which you have the right to modify. Any unauthorized access may violate laws or agreements.
• Additionally, be cautious about data security when using online tools. Make sure they do not store or misuse your important data.
• One should always keep a backup copy of the original secured PDF before making any changes.

Also Read: Learn How to Combine PDF Files Manually?

Conclusion

So, are you now clear about how to unlock PDF file for editing and printing? It is achievable by various methods, depending on the level of security and your access rights. Whether you are using Adobe Acrobat, Google Chrome for editing, or any dedicated software, you must prioritize legal and ethical considerations. Further, manual steps may have some limitations, so we prefer using the professional PDF Unlocker tool.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

About The Author:

Mithilesh Tata

Mithilesh Tata is dedicated to making the lives of his customers as simple as possible. He enjoys learning about new applications and utilities that can help people protect their data. Mithilesh also has a strong grasp on email migration & data recovery. He enjoys validating every component of the software, technical materials, and anything else that has to do with his working life.

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