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This wikiHow teaches you how to view or print a password-protected PDF file's contents. There are two types of secure PDFs: user-locked, which means you need a password to view the contents, and owner-locked, which means you need a password to copy, print, or otherwise modify the PDF's contents. There is no way to unlock a secure PDF if you do not know the password. If you want to remove a known user password from a PDF, you can use either Soda PDF or Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Adobe Acrobat to Remove a User Password

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  1. This is the paid version of Adobe Acrobat; if you only have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you won't be able to unlock your PDF with this method.
  2. This option is in the top-left corner of the window (or the screen on a Mac). Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
    • Alternatively, if your PDF reader has a "Recently Viewed" tab, you can check there to see if the PDF you need is displayed.
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  3. If you elected to look for the PDF in the "Recently Viewed" section, skip this step.
  4. Doing so will prompt the PDF to open in Adobe Acrobat.
    • You may have to select a new directory (e.g., Desktop or Documents) first to locate the PDF in question.
    • Alternatively, you can open a PDF by double-clicking the file. If this doesn't open the file in Acrobat Pro, right-click the file and click Open with... Then click Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  5. This is necessary to view and edit the file.
    • If you don't know the user password, you cannot unlock the PDF.
  6. It's on the left side of the screen beneath the "Home" tab.
  7. This is a link below the "Security Settings" heading.
  8. It will say something like "Password Security".
  9. This should be an option in the drop-down menu that appears.
  10. Type in the PDF's password, then click OK twice. As long as your password was correct, your PDF will no longer have a password lock on it.
  11. To save the PDF, click the icon that resembles a floppy disk at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can click File followed by Save or Save as.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Soda PDF to Remove a User Password

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  1. Go to https://www.sodapdf.com/unlock-pdf/ in your computer's web browser. This is the website for Soda PDF, which allows you to unlock user-locked PDF files.
    • You cannot unlock a PDF file if you do not know the password.
  2. It's the pink button in the center of the page. Doing so prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window to open.
  3. In the window that opens, go to the location in which your PDF is stored, then click the PDF once to select it.
  4. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so uploads your selected PDF to Soda PDF.
  5. In the text box which appears, type in the password used to unlock the PDF.
  6. This pink button is below the password text box. Soda PDF will remove the encryption from the PDF.
  7. To download an unsecured version of the document, click the pink button that says "Download File." To preview the file inside your web browser, click Preview File.
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    Try downloading them again. You may also have a virus on your computer which you need to check out.
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About This Article

Travis Boylls
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 5,509,071 times.
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Co-authors: 52
Updated: October 17, 2024
Views: 5,509,071
Article SummaryX

1. Sign into drive.google.com.
2. Drag the PDF into Google Drive.
3. Double-click the PDF.
4. Type the password.
5. Click Submit.
6. Open the Print screen.
7. Change the printer to Save as PDF.
8. Click Save.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 5,509,071 times.

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