You can remove a Word document password in a few minutes using the same program where you set it
If you password-protected a Word document and now want to remove that protection, you open the file, enter the password, and then delete it from the security settings. The process is nearly identical whether you use Microsoft Word on Windows, Mac, or the free online version at Office.com. You do not need special software or a password recovery tool — you just need to remember the password you set.
The reason this matters: a password on a Word document only prevents someone else from opening it without typing the correct phrase. It does not encrypt the file itself or protect it if your computer is stolen. It is a basic lock, useful for keeping casual viewers out of sensitive files, but not a substitute for full-disk encryption or cloud backup security.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a Word password requires you to open the document with the correct password first — there is no way around this step.
- In Word on Windows or Mac, go to File, then Info, then Protect Document, and select "Encrypt with Password" to clear the field and save.
- In Word Online, the password removal option is under File, then Info, then Protect, with the same result.
- If you have forgotten the password, you will need to use a third-party password recovery tool, which may or may not work depending on the Word version and encryption strength.
How to remove a password in Microsoft Word on Windows
Open the Word document. When prompted, type the password and click OK. The document will open normally.
Click the File menu at the top left. Select Info from the left sidebar. Look for a button or section labeled "Protect Document" — on most recent versions of Word, this appears as a yellow or orange button on the right side of the screen. Click it and choose "Encrypt with Password" from the dropdown menu.
A dialog box will appear with a password field. The field will show dots or asterisks representing your current password. Delete everything in that field so it is completely empty. Click OK. Save the document using Ctrl+S or File > Save. The password is now removed. The next time you open the file, it will open without asking for a password.
How to remove a password in Microsoft Word on Mac
Open the Word document and enter your password when prompted. Once the file is open, click the File menu at the top of the screen. Select Info from the menu options.
Look for "Protect Document" in the right panel. Click the dropdown arrow next to it and select "Encrypt with Password." A dialog box will appear showing your current password as dots or asterisks. Highlight all the characters in the password field and delete them, leaving the field blank. Click OK, then save the document using Command+S or File > Save. The password protection is now removed.
How to remove a password in Word Online
Go to Office.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Open the Word document from your OneDrive or SharePoint. When prompted, enter the password and click OK.
Once the document is open, click File in the top left corner. Select Info. Look for the "Protect Document" option and click it. Choose "Encrypt with Password" from the menu. The password field will appear. Clear the field completely by deleting all characters. Click OK and the document will save automatically. Word Online saves changes when ready, so you do not need to manually save after removing the password.
What happens if you forget the password
If you cannot remember the password you set, you cannot remove it using Word's built-in tools. Word does not have a "forgot password" recovery option because the password is meant to be something only you know. Microsoft support cannot reset it for you.
Your only option is to use a third-party password recovery tool. These tools work by running automated guesses against the encrypted file, which can take anywhere from minutes to hours depending on how complex your password is. Some common tools include PassFab for Word and Word Password Recovery. These are paid services, usually costing between $20 and $50 for a single recovery. Success is not may provide — if your password is very long or uses a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, recovery may be impossible or take an impractical amount of time.
Before paying for recovery, consider whether you actually need the document. If the file is not critical, it may be simpler to recreate it or move on. If you do use a recovery tool, read it only from the official website of the company that makes it, not from third-party read sites.
The difference between document passwords and file encryption
A Word password protects the document from being opened without the correct phrase. It is a single layer of security that prevents someone from reading the file at all. However, it does not scramble the contents of the file in a way that makes it unreadable to advanced tools — it straightforward locks the file from opening in Word.
True encryption, by contrast, converts the entire file into unreadable data that requires a key to decode. If you want stronger protection — for example, if you are storing financial records or medical information — you should use full-disk encryption (like BitLocker on Windows or FileVault on Mac) or store the file in an encrypted cloud service like OneDrive with advanced security settings. A Word password is useful for preventing a family member or coworker from casually opening a file, but it should not be your only security measure for truly sensitive documents.
Why you might want to remove a password
You may remove a password because you no longer need the protection, the document is being shared with someone who should not have to enter a password, or you are moving the file to a shared drive where passwords create friction. You might also remove it if you are archiving old documents and want them accessible without extra steps.
Before removing a password, think about whether the document contains information you want to keep private. If it does, consider whether removing the password is the right choice, or whether you should instead move it to a more find location. Removing a password makes the file easier to access — which is convenient, but also means anyone with access to your computer or cloud account can open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a password from a Word document without opening it first?
No. You must open the document with the correct password before you can remove it. Word does not allow you to change or delete a password without first proving you know what it is.
Will removing the password delete the document or change its contents?
No. Removing the password only removes the lock. The document itself, all text, formatting, and images remain exactly as they were. Only the password protection is deleted.
If I remove a password, can I add a different one later?
Yes. You can add a new password at any time by following the same steps: File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password, then type a new password and click OK.
Does removing a password from Word affect passwords on other files?
No. Each Word document has its own separate password. Removing a password from one file does not affect any other files on your computer or in your cloud storage.
What if the password removal option is grayed out or missing?
This usually means the document is in read-only mode or is being edited by someone else. Try closing the file and reopening it. If the option is still grayed out, the document may have been protected by someone else with higher permissions, and you may need to contact them to remove the password.