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Breaking the Lock: How to Handle a Forgot PDF Password Scenario

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PDF passwords can help prevent unauthorized access and editing of the document. But what if you forgot PDF password? Can you remove it? It might be time-wasting trying to guess or peruse your notebook looking for the password. There are quick solutions to the problem. Go through this article to learn how to get around password-protected PDFs.

 

Part 1. Types of PDF Passwords

A PDF file has two passwords: the user and the permission passwords. Knowing which password you forgot is essential to finding the best solution. Below is what you need to know about the two types of PDF passwords.

1.1 PDF Permission Password

Permission password, also known as the owner's password, allows you to edit, add comments, print, and copy the file's content. If a document has a permission password but no user password, you can still open and view its content. If you forget the PDF permission password, you can't recover it, but you can remove it. The process is quick and easier than that of the user password.

1.2 PDF User Password

A PDF user password, or open password, allows you to open a PDF file and view the content. If you forget a user password, you can remove or recover it. However, the process is often complicated and time-consuming. Also, success is not guaranteed, especially for complex passwords. Due to the complications involved, most solutions charge for the services.

Don't worry. In the next part, we'll give you some solutions to apply if you forgot the PDF password, not only the permission password but also the user password.

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Part 2. Forgot PDF Permissions Password?

If you want to edit, add comments, print, and copy the file's content but don't know the owner's password. What can I do? Don't worry; go through this section, and we will tell you how to do it when you forget the PDF permissions password.

Method 1. How to Remove Password from PDF Without Password Easily

Coolmuster PDF Password Remover is an offline tool that helps to remove a forgotten owner's password. The application has a user-friendly interface with only a few steps involved in performing the task. As an offline tool, it protects your sensitive documents since you don't have to upload them to a third-party website.

Additionally, it doesn't require the internet to work once you install it. Coolmuster PDF Password Remover has low computer requirements. That means it can run on computers with low processing power and storage capacity. However, that doesn't mean the program is slow. It removes passwords quickly, even from a batch of files.

Key Features of Coolmuster PDF Password Remover:

  • Remove the owner's password effortlessly from PDF files.
  • Remove the user password if you provide it.
  • Add multiple files to the application at once.
  • Remove passwords from multiple files simultaneously.
  • Work on PDF files without relying on Adobe.

Here's how to remove forgotten password from PDFs using Coolmuster PDF Password Remover:

01Download the application. Install and launch it.

02Click Add File at the top to add a single file or Add Folder to add all files from a folder. If the file has a user password, you'll see a lock icon next to the file's name. Click the icon to enter the password.

run software and add pdf files

03Click the blue button with three dots at the bottom to select the Output Folder.

set output location

04Once selected, click Start on the right to remove the password.

how to unlock a pdf if you forgot the password with coolmuster pdf password remover

Method 2. How to Unlock a PDF If You Forgot the Password Using Mac Preview

Preview is an application that is available on all Mac computers. It has several uses, such as viewing, editing, and printing PDF documents and images. Here's how you can use it to unlock PDF files if you forget the ower's password:

Step 1. Right-click on the PDF you want to open. Select Open With and choose Preview.

open a pdf file with preview

Step 2. Enter the user password if the document has it. Once it opens, go to the File tab and choose Save.

Step 3. Click Replace if you want the new file without a password to replace the original one with a password. If you want to keep both documents, save the new file under a different name. You can open the file using Adobe or another software without any restrictions.

Method 3. How to Get Around Password-Protected PDF Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a well-known application for viewing and editing PDF files. You can use it to unlock PDFs, whether you're using Windows or Mac computers. Below are the steps on how to open PDF if you forgot the password using Adobe:

Step 1. Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Click the File tab followed by Open. Select the protected file from your computer to open it.

open a pdf file with adobe

Step 2. Once the file opens, click the Tools menu and choose Encrypt. You'll see a small window called Document Properties. Set the Security Method as No Security.

how to get around password protected pdf with adobe

Step 3. Enter the document user password if there is one. Then, uncheck the box that requires a password to open. Similarly, enter the permission password and uncheck the box that restricts editing and printing. Click OK and confirm that you want to remove security from the document.

set the pdf security options

Further Reading:

[Comprehensive Guide] 7 Ways to Unlock PDF for Editing for Free

Mastering PDF Unlocks: How to Unlock PDF Online with Ease

Method 4. How to Remove Forgotten Password from PDF Using Chrome Browser

Chrome is a popular web browser that also helps to open PDF documents. You can use it to remove copy restrictions but not printing restrictions. Here's how to remove PDF password if forgotten using the Chrome browser:

Step 1. Identify your target file and right-click it. Select Open with and choose Google Chrome.

open a pdf file with google chrome

Step 2. After opening the file, click the print icon at the top right. A new window will open, as shown in the image below.

click the print icon

Step 3. Choose how you want to save your file in the Destination section. If you want to remove restrictions only, choose Save as PDF. Select the pages you want and click the Save button below. A window will open. Type the file's name and choose the location to save it. Click Save to complete the process.

how to remove password from pdf without password with google chrome

Method 5. How to Open a PDF If You Forgot the Password Using Google Drive

If you have a Gmail account, you have access to Google Drive. Unlike Chrome, Google Drive allows you to remove all restrictions from PDF files. Here's how to unlock a PDF if you forgot the password using Google Drive:

Step 1. Go to drive.google.com to open your cloud storage.

Step 2. Click New on the left, then File upload. Choose the PDF file from your computer and upload it. Once uploaded, you'll see it at the bottom-right of your window.

upload pdf file

Step 3. After opening the PDF file, click Open with Google Docs at the top.

Step 4. Click the File button on the menu in Google Docs and select Download. You'll see several formats to save it. Select PDF Document. The saved document won't have the owner's password or any restrictions.

how to remove forgotten password from pdf with google docs

Learn More:

Say Goodbye to Restrictions: Adobe PDF Remove Password Solutions

How to Remove Password from PDF on iPhone with the Most Popular Apps

Part 3. Forgot PDF User Password?

After you know what to do when you forget the permissions password, how about the user password? In this section, we'll look at how to open a PDF if you forgot the user password. The process involves cracking the file, and it's legal to use if you have the required permission. Some online tools can also help if you forgot PDF digital signature password. Here's how to open password password-protected PDF file.

Method 1. How to Recover Forgot PDF Password Using LostMyPass

LostMyPass is a free online tool that helps you recover a forgotten user password. The tool can take a few minutes if you have a simple password. Complex passwords take longer to recover. Here's how to open PDF with forgotten password using LostMyPass:

Step 1. Visit the website and click the checkbox to verify you're not a robot.

Step 2. Drag and drop the secured PDF file or click the upload button to import the file from your computer.

upload pdf file

Sep 3. Once you upload the file, the tool will start the recovery process. If successful, you'll see your password displayed. Use that password to open your PDF file.

how to open password protected pdf file if password forgotten with lostmypass

Method 2. How to Remove PDF User Password Using iLovePDF

iLovePDF is a free online tool that can help if you forgot PDF password to open the file. Here's how to open PDF file with forgotten password using iLovePDF:

Step 1. Visit ilovepdf.com and select All PDF Tools from the menu. Click Unlock PDF.

select unlock pdf tool

Step 2. Click the Select PDF files button to upload the file.

upload pdf file

Step 3. After selecting the PDF file, click Unlock PDF. iLovePDF will remove the user and the permission password. Download the unlocked file.

how to open pdf file with forgotten password with ilovepdf

Note that the tool may not always remove the user password, especially if you have a long or complex password.

Also Read:

[Solved] How to Remove Permissions from PDF Files Easy & Efficiently

Liberating Your Files: The Magic of PDF Secured Remove [Updated]

The Bottom Line

If you forgot PDF password, you can remove it using various online and offline tools. Removing the permission password allows you to edit, copy, and print the PDF document. On the other hand, removing the user password means you can open the file and view its content without entering the password.

Coolmuster PDF Password Remover is the best tool for removing user and permission passwords. It's easy to use, quick, and safe. If you forget your owner's password, don't waste time guessing or searching for it. Download Coolmuster PDF Password Remover to remove the password within seconds.

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How to Lock a PDF: Protecting Documents with Security Measures

How to Remove Encryption from PDF Like a Pro? Solved in 6 Quick Ways

Best Programs on How to Remove Password from PDF on Mac [Newest]

[Make Your Office Easy] How to Decrypt PDF Fast and Freely in 9 Ways

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