Protected PDFs

[Techknowledge]

I have a number of protected PDFs with me. I have the password to access them. However, I want to remove the password from these PDFs. How do I do that?

 

[Mushkins]

Gotta open them up in the full version of Adobe Acrobat Standard (or professional if thats what you have). The option is in a different spot depending on what version you're using, but it's usually under Tools > Protection or Tools > Security.

 

[Savatar]

Alternatively, if you don't have the full version of Acrobat, you may be able to open them up then print them to XPS or a PDF printer driver, assuming whomever put the password protection on didn't also disable printing - which will convert them to that file type automagically (note: this won't actually _print_ the document to paper). This may not be as reliable as using the full version of Acrobat, though, as some PDF printer drivers have some conversion problems with different types of source documents.

 

[Mushkins]

Alternatively, if you don't have the full version of Acrobat, you may be able to open them up then print them to XPS or a PDF printer driver, assuming whomever put the password protection on didn't also disable printing - which will convert them to that file type automagically (note: this won't actually _print_ the document to paper). This may not be as reliable as using the full version of Acrobat, though, as some PDF printer drivers have some conversion problems with different types of source documents.

Good point, I forgot about this workaround in a pinch 🙂 CutePDF is a decent virtual pdf printer if you need one. The formatting definitely can get a little wonky though, and it'll strip out any Adobe editing features/fillable forms/private comments/etc that you might want or need.