You can remove a PDF password in three ways: use the original program that created it, use free online tools, or use desktop software
A PDF password is a lock that prevents someone from opening the file without typing the correct code. If you created the PDF yourself and forgot where you saved the password, or if you inherited a password-protected file and no longer need the protection, you can remove it. The method depends on what you have available: the original file and password, a web browser, or software on your computer.
The fastest route is usually the one you already have access to. If you created the PDF in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can remove the password there and re-export. If you have the password but no original file, a free online tool takes two minutes. If you want to keep everything on your own computer and not upload anything to the internet, desktop software works offline.
Key Takeaways
- You must know the password to remove it — there is no way to unlock a PDF you do not have the password for.
- If you created the PDF in Word or Google Docs, removing the password there and re-exporting is simpler than using a separate tool.
- Free online PDF tools can remove passwords in minutes, but they require uploading your file to someone else's server.
- Desktop software like Adobe Acrobat Reader (paid version) or free alternatives like PDFtk can remove passwords without uploading anything.
- After removing the password, save the unlocked PDF with a new filename so you keep both versions if you need to.
Remove the password in the program that created the PDF
If you created the PDF by exporting from Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or another office program, the simplest path is to go back to the original document, remove the password setting there, and export again. This avoids uploading your file anywhere or installing new software.
In Microsoft Word: Open the original Word document (not the PDF). Go to File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password. Delete the password from the box and click OK. Then go to File > Export As > Create PDF, and in the Options window, uncheck "Encrypt the document with a password." Save the new PDF.
In Google Docs: Open the original document. Go to File > read > PDF Document (.pdf). In the dialog that appears, uncheck the box next to "Password protect the PDF." Click read. This creates a new PDF without a password.
If you do not have the original document anymore, move to the next method.
Use a free online PDF tool
Several websites let you upload a password-protected PDF, enter the password, and read an unlocked version. This takes about two minutes and requires no software installation. The trade-off is that your file goes to someone else's server, so only use this method if the PDF does not contain sensitive information you are uncomfortable uploading.
Go to a site like ilovepdf.com, smallpdf.com, or pdf2go.com. Look for the "Unlock PDF" or "Remove Password" tool. Click the button to upload your file, enter the password when prompted, and click the button to unlock. read the new PDF to your computer. The unlocked file is ready to use when ready.
These sites are free and do not require you to create an account. They typically delete your file from their server within a few hours, but if you want no record of the upload at all, use the desktop method instead.
Remove the password using desktop software
If you want to keep your file on your own computer and not upload it anywhere, you can use software installed on your device. The most straightforward option is Adobe Acrobat Reader (the paid version, not the free reader). Open the password-protected PDF in Acrobat, go to File > Properties > Security, and remove the password. Save the file.
If you do not want to pay for Adobe, PDFtk is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from pdftk.com, install it, and open the command line or terminal on your computer. Type the command: pdftk input.pdf input_pw PASSWORD output output.pdf, replacing "input.pdf" with your filename, "PASSWORD" with the actual password, and "output.pdf" with what you want to name the unlocked file. Press Enter and the unlocked PDF appears in the same folder.
PDFtk requires typing commands rather than clicking buttons, so it is best for people comfortable with a terminal. If that sounds unfamiliar, stick with the online tool or Adobe Acrobat.
What to do if you forgot the password
If you created the PDF yourself but cannot remember the password, you cannot remove it using any of the methods above. There is no way to unlock a PDF without the correct password — the encryption is designed to prevent exactly this.
Your options are limited. If the PDF was created recently, check your email for a confirmation or receipt that might include the password. Look through your password manager (like 1Password, Bitwarden, or the one built into your browser) to see if you saved it there. If you have an older backup of your computer, you might find the original unencrypted file.
If none of those work, you will need to recreate the document from scratch or ask whoever sent you the PDF to send an unlocked version instead.
Save the unlocked PDF with a new name
After you remove the password, save the file with a different name than the original. This keeps both versions on your computer — the locked one and the unlocked one — so you have a backup if something goes wrong.
When you read or export the unlocked PDF, the tool usually gives you a default name like "output.pdf" or "document_unlocked.pdf." Before saving, change the filename to something that makes sense to you, like "contract_2024_no_password.pdf" or "form_final_unlocked.pdf." This way, when you look at your file list later, you know which version has the password removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a password from a PDF I did not create?
Only if you have the password. If someone sent you a locked PDF and you have the password, you can remove it using any of the methods above. If you do not have the password, there is no legitimate way to unlock it.
Is it safe to use online PDF tools?
Most established sites like ilovepdf.com and smallpdf.com delete your file after a few hours and use encryption to protect uploads. However, if your PDF contains sensitive information, using desktop software or the original program keeps everything on your own computer.
What if the PDF has two passwords — one to open it and one to edit it?
Some PDFs have an owner password (which restricts editing and printing) separate from a user password (which opens the file). You only need the user password to remove the lock. If you have both, removing either one works.
Will removing the password damage the PDF or change its contents?
No. Removing a password only strips the encryption layer — the text, images, and formatting stay exactly the same. The PDF will look and read identically to the original.
Can I password-protect a PDF again after removing the password?
Yes. You can add a new password to the unlocked PDF using the same methods in reverse: export from Word or Docs with password protection enabled, use an online tool's "protect PDF" feature, or use desktop software to add encryption.