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.
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.
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?
I am using Acrobat Reader on a Windows 11 laptop, I have never bought the Pro version. I do not think the Gov't agency is responsible, and I now accept that the file is lost to me forever. If you look at the chain on adobe Support community you will see what I mean about the origin of the problem. https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/my-pdf-file-is-asking-for-a-password-even-... . I am about to uninstal Acrobat Reader for good, having just reinstalled it yesterday.
Sometimes Government agencies protect PDFs that they email, to protect your privacy. They use a password you should know, such as an ID number. But you can't guess and neither can we; you can contact the agency to ask them, before you give up.
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.
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Can you show a screenshot of the error message you are getting? Are you using Reader on a Windows computer or a Mac?
Based on what? I'm willing to bet you they are. And you don't need Acrobat to open such a file. The free Reader is sufficient, if you know the password.
> and I now accept that the file is lost to me forever.
Why? Just contact them and ask them to send you the password for your file...
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