Redacting password protected PDFs

[jshtayo]

I wanted to post because I couldn't find a good clear answer anywhere. In some cases you may want to redact PDFs that are being shared to third parties and it's common for PDFs downloaded from websites to be password protected by default.

Use Case:

I am filling out rental applications and they are asking for bank statements. I don't want to share any account numbers or purchase history so I want to redact the information before I send it to them. Bank statement PDFs downloaded from Chase are automatically password protected so they can't be edited in Acrobat.

Solution (Windows):

1. Open the PDF in Chrome
2. Right click on the page and select Print
3. Under Destination, click the drop down and select See more...
4. Select Microsoft Print to PDF
5. Click Print
6. Choose destination and name for new PDF

This will save the PDF as a new PDF stripped of the password protection. This version can be edited in Acrobat.

The only issue for me was that the quality seemed to be degraded slightly.

I'm not sure if other print methods will work the same but I've had success with Microsoft Print to PDF.

[Willow32114353z39e]

Chase statements will not "print to PDF" anymore. I was able to print them as PDF in 07/2023, but now, they will be saved as a notepad with error messages when doing so.

[Willow32114353z39e]

Nvm, I reinstalled the Acrobat and the default setting is "Adobe PDF" instead of Microsoft Print to PDF".

[Amal.]

Hi there,

++ adding to the discussion

For more information, please go through the help page (https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/removing-sensitive-content-pdfs.html)

Thanks
Amal

[Paul35633988e0z3]

It seams that redacting is considered editing, so I am unable to use the redaction tool on the secured/encryted PDFs. 

[Abambo]

Password protected PDF documents are not to be modified, if you do not know the password. you should not be able to print to a noe PDF, and take out the protection as this.

[Paul35633988e0z3]

I am having the same issue.  I need to send statements for a lease on an apartment, and I just want to redact sensitive info.  the Acrobat redaction tool won't "apply" to a secured PDF.

[Bernd Alheit]

This is correct.

[JR Boulay]

Ask Google how to remove edit restriction in a PDF, it's childish.

[pschrock]

This method works (Print/Save as PDF) for Safari on Mac.

[michelle_8925]

Wow!! It worked! Thank you!!