How to Edit a Secured PDF Without the Password

There are 4 quick ways to unlock PDF if you forgot the password 🔓

by Teodor Nechita
Teodor Nechita
Teodor Nechita
Software Managing Editor
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related. When not working, you may usually find him either... read more
Updated on
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • In this article, we will explore how to edit secured PDF without password. It's easier than you think.
  • Using a third-party tool is the most recommended and quick way to regain access to a password-protected PDF file.
  • Removing the password through the settings is yet another simple way of unlocking the PDF file for editing.
  • You can remove an unknown password from PDF directly in your browser by following the steps recommended in this guide.
adobe acrobat error message for secured file

Locking your PDF files is a great way to protect them, but sometimes you might need to edit a secured PDF without having its password.

This can be a difficult task, but fortunately for you, we have a couple of solutions that will allow you to access and edit the PDF file, even without the password.

How can I edit a secured PDF without the password?

In this article

1. Use a dedicated third party

Adobe Acrobat is a versatile and complex tool that allows all sorts of useful editing operations with PDF files.

In case you have a protected PDF document and you have forgotten the password then following the steps presented below will help you edit a secured PDF.

  1. Open your PDF in Acrobat.
  2. Next, go to File and click on the Printer icon in the toolbar.
    edit-secured-pdf-without-password
  3. Choose Adobe PDF from the Print dialog box, as the printer, and click Print.
    edit-secured-pdf-without-password
  4. Type a name for your file and click Save.
  5. The PDF is created, and it opens in Acrobat. You can now edit the PDF.

Adobe Acrobat

Easily open and manage your password-protected PDF file with Adobe Acrobat.
Free trial Visit Website

2. Remove the password

1. Open the password-protected PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.

edit-secured-pdf-without-password

2. Click File and open Properties.

edit-secured-pdf-without-password

3. Next, click on Permission Details and open the Security tab.

4. Make sure to check the No Security option.

edit-secured-pdf-without-password

5. Search for the Remove Password in Security Method menu and click on it.

6. After doing this the password will be removed from the original PDF file.

7. Save the PDF file and now access the file.

After following the instructions from above, you should unlock the PDF for editing.

3. Use Google Chrome

  1. Select the locked PDF and right-click on it.
  2. From the dropdown menu, choose Open with and select Chrome Browser.
  3. Next, right-click on the PDF file and select the Print option.
  4. Select the Microsoft Print to PDF option and click on Print.

This is a simple workaround, but it can help you edit a secured PDF without a password.

4. Remove the password online

Another quick and easy solution would be to simply use an online tool that will remove the PDF’s password.

Thankfully enough there are many free tools out there, and we would recommend that you use one that has good reviews based on the user comments.

Usually, all you will have to do is simply upload the PDF and the service would remove the unknown password from the PDF file for you.

These are the easiest and quickest ways to edit secured PDF without a password. We hope that one of the above solutions has helped you open your locked file as well.

If you have additional recommendations or suggestions, we would love to hear them in the comments section below.