minimum password character requirement

[jakyasar]

Did Adobe recently change the minimum character requirement for a password from 4 to 6?

[MohdKashif · Accepted solution]

In the latest version of Acrobat Adobe made character limit for passwords consistent across all UI invocation points. Protect tool already had a limit of 6 characters but some entry points still allowed lower limits which was raised by some customers as an anomaly. In latest version minimum limit has been set to 6 for all invocation points.

[visualeyes80]

Is there no option to disable the minimum 6 characters for password?

I mean at the end of the day, it is our own document we are protecting -- and as such, I should have control on how long or short my password should be....

[jakyasar]

I agree with you as it should be our choice on what to do with our documents

[sarahf82535171]

I agree too. We password protect anything that comes out of our office and already vary the strength of the password based on what we're sending. We've used a 4 digit passcode that's easy for us and for the client to know for YEARS and now we'll have to change it. I greatly wish that Adobe would give us the choice to change the security settings away from the mandatory 6 digits.

[Jamie5E22]

If anyone is interested, I've found a workaround that allows us to still secure PDFs with a four character password. Message me if you'd like the details. I would post it here, but I'm scared Adobe would edit there software to remove it.

[defaultnqwmmwdsjayb]

Plz how can I still use 4 digits password ?

[Wheeler5EEF]

Yes, please - I'd like the workaround.

[CTR5CD4]

I'm interested in the workaround Jamie

[Aurora1585]

I require this work around, please !! I have tried the ones adobe suggested to no avail!

[Scott24191638e83s]

This feature needs to be scrapped ASAP.

[Aurora1585]

200%

[javier.striata]

Could you please clarify whether this new requirement impacts only PDF documents created specifically within Adobe Acrobat? Also, what happens to documents that were previously created with a 5-digit password? Will those fail to open on this version of the software?

I have multiple documents sent to me from different companies that use a 5-digit ZIP code as the password in my inbox. Will I still be able to access those?

[MohdKashif]

The limit applies to all documents on which password is being applied from inside Acrobat. It does not matter where the document was created. The limit is not enforced when applying protection via scripting. This is so as to not break any existing automated systems that apply password protection. The limit has been enforced to maintain consistency across different UI options in the application. On some UI invocation points (example File->Protect using password)  this limit was already enforced even in previous versions. Also, a longer password is difficult to break and helps users protect their content better.

There will be no issue opening the PDFs that were previously protected with password (even if it was less than 6 characters).

[Jamie5E22]

Is there any way to change this to allow us to use a four digit passcode? We have long time clients with systems set in place to use a specific four digit passcode and they will be extremely upset if we have to change it.

[defaultnqwmmwdsjayb]

Plz I have tons of pdf with 4 digit password. It's impossible for me now to change them all ! I need the 4 digits password 

[micheleklink]

MohdKashif, thank you. The workaround using Adobe AcrobatDC's Action Wizard works for me now. Our scripting works as well.  Is there a sunset date planned when that workaround will no longer be available to retain 4-digit passcodes?

[MeenakshiNegi · Accepted solution]

Hi All,

Adding to the information provided above.

Please refer to the information provided in the following help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/set-pdf-passwords-fewer-than-six-characters-long.html to set fewer than six characters long password for a PDF.

Hope the information helps.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[visualeyes80]

Life Save! Thanks... much appreciated!

[TheRealJamesS]

Hi Meenakshi,

I have followed your steps carefully to no avail.  It simply will not work.  It would be an understatement to say how frustrated I am with Adobe for making this change.  Please help.  Thanks!

[Aurora1585]

Did anyone respond to you!?! Also having the same issue, frustrating is an understatement. It's all about corporate greed. 

[Aurora1585]

It doesn't. I've tried multiple

times, followed steps til

the end of the Action Wizard, hit "save" and will still prompt for a 6 character password. This feature needs to be removed IMMEDIATELY 

[Aurora1585]

So my question to you as a company is: if you are unwilling to disable this ridiculous, restricting feature, then we as YOUR consumers and users need to know an alternative program which will allow password protection set at any limit. #abortadobe #adobefail #playingacrobatsinmymind 

[MeenakshiNegi]

Hi Aurora1585! 

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble caused.

As the steps suggested do not work, would you mind sharing the following information?

- Acrobat and OS version on your machine?

- Did you try these steps before on the older version?

- What happens when you use the steps mentioned in the help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/set-pdf-passwords-fewer-than-six-characters-long.html?

It would be helpful if you could share the screen recording of the steps you do.

Thanks,

Meenakshi