How do I save a password protected file without a password?

[Napa Scott]

Someone sent me a password protected file and I want to save it on my computer without the password.

Thanks,

Scott

[pranavj · Accepted solution]

Hi Scott,

It is not possible to save a password protected file without a password with Adobe Reader, you would require Adobe Acrobat to remove the password protection. Even with Adobe Acrobat you can only remove the security if you are aware about the password otherwise you need to contact the Author/creator of the PDF to remove the security.

Regards,

~Pranav

[Napa Scott]

Thanks!

[floridiancb]

I have the password to a PDF file, how do I remove the security setting so that I can save the document without a password??

[Test Screen Name · Accepted solution]

1. Buy Adobe Acrobat.

2. Open in Adobe Acrobat.

3. Use File > Properties

4. Go to Security tab

5. Set Security method to None

6. Give password when prompted

7. SAVE the file.

[Constandina0D4D]

Not sure if this is helpful.. I was needing to combine some statements into one PDF, but the password protection wasn't allowing me to do so. Using Acrobat Pro (on mac), File --> Export to --> Microsoft Word. Then I was able go back in to Adobe and combine the files. If you're not needing to combine files, and just want a savable document, using Adobe Reader, File --> Convert to Microsoft, and then you can convert to PDF - have not tried this accessing the document after converted again though. Worth a shot.

[try67]

Reader on its own can't convert a PDF file to Word, and anyway it won't work if the file has a file-open password. Acrobat won't let you do that.

[Constandina0D4D]

Yeah as I mentioned I use pro. But With reader I’m able to export to word,
so I dunno 🙂

[sayling]

This is no longer the case. You do not need Adobe Acrobat Pro to do this in Windows.

Windows enables you to print to PDF after you have opened the original file using the password, whereby the password security is overridden and removed in the 'printed' document 

[Steenski1]

This is one of the most unfortunat things with Adobe. Having to pay over 15 $ per month in order to use the smallest feature.

[NWWolverine]

When needing an unprotected copy of a password protected PDF

Open the file – and on the left side open the Page Thumbnails – highlight all of them – Go to the top, right click the first one and select “Extract Pages” then ok (don’t check any boxes). Close out of there and hit save and it’ll ask where and then it’ll save them there for you……. all unlocked.

Hope this helped

[~graffiti]

NWWolverine  wrote

When needing an unprotected copy of a password protected PDF

Open the file – and on the left side open the Page Thumbnails – highlight all of them – Go to the top, right click the first one and select “Extract Pages” then ok (don’t check any boxes). Close out of there and hit save and it’ll ask where and then it’ll save them there for you……. all unlocked.

Hope this helped

Not if you don't have Adobe Acrobat and are only using the free Reader. And if you have Acrobat, there are easier ways.

[lucindas76199714]

This is the only suggeston that worked for me, given, knowing the password to open the doc than saving it with Microsoft print-to-pdf.  Thnak you, TY, TY...

[Izakvdm]

Open the document and the use the print to pdf function which will create a copy of your file without the password.

You obviously have to know the password in the first place.

It is frustrating as a lot of statements that come as protected pdfs need to be sent to institutions as proof and there is no way without buying a full copy or using password removal software.

[~graffiti]

Izakvdm  wrote

Open the document and the use the print to pdf function which will create a copy of your file without the password.

Also not possible without the full version of Acrobat...

[Bernd Alheit]

Izakvdm  wrote

Open the document and the use the print to pdf function which will create a copy of your file without the password.

You obviously have to know the password in the first place.

...

Not possible with Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat.

[~graffiti]

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Bernd+Alheit  wrote

Not possible with Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat.

Technically, if you have the password you could do it with Acrobat but if you have the password, you wouldn't need to. You would just remove the password.

[Bernd Alheit]

Acrobat doesn't allow printing to "Adobe PDF" with a protected document.

[~graffiti]

That's why I mentioned needing the password.

[Izakvdm]

errrmmmm Yes it does.

[Bernd Alheit]

I can't see the printer "Adobe PDF" in your screenshot.

[Izakvdm]

Which version of Windows are you running?

[~graffiti]

[Zyna366021492hyc]

This worked for me in 2024...if anyone is still looking. I do have Adobe Acrobat. Super fast and easy. As mentioned, you need the password to start, but then you can save it without in your files and access the document freely anytime. Great if you're sharing with colleagues or, in my case, uploading to a client database. 

[Test Screen Name]

Hardly relevant, we are talking about what we see in YOUR screen shot. Not the Adobe PDF printer.