Skip to main content
B
Barry27963235b0p0
Participant
January 16, 2023
Question

Unwanted password

  • January 16, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1123 views

A pdf I filed has been sealed by Adobe with a password I didn't want and don't know. How can I open the file? 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 16, 2023

@Barry27963235b0p0 

 

You cannot open a PDF that requires a password unless you have the password. There is no way around this.

 

In addition, passwords cannot be created in Adobe Acrobat Reader (where you posted). They can be created in the paid version of Acrobat, but only with user action.

 

How did you create the PDF? In Word? In Excel? Or did you download it from the web and fill it out? Please give us details so we can better assist.

 

Jane

 

B
Barry27963235b0p0Author
Participant
January 16, 2023

Hi Jane, thanks for responding. I completed a government form on line and when I submitted it the agency concerned acknowledged receipt and seent me a pdf copy of the form for my records. I did not open it then, just saved it to my 'downloads' folder while I waited for a new printer to arrive. When it did I attempted to open the pdf only to be confronted with the demand for a password which I do not have. On searching on line for an explanation I found numerous queries from other people who had experienced the same thing. It appears that adobe reader sets the password itself and locks the pdf behind ir, a bug that is supposed to have been fixed but clearly hasn't. I deleted adobe and reloaded it but with no change.

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 16, 2023

@Barry27963235b0p0 

 

Can you contact the government agency and tell them the issue? It could well be something happening at their end and they have to fix it. They should send you a PDF that you can open.

 

Again, setting a password requires Adobe Acrobat. It simply cannot be done in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

 

Can you show a screenshot of the error message you are getting? Are you using Reader on a Windows computer or a Mac?

 

Jane

 

 

 

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices