To protect sensitive information, many PDFs are secured with passwords. However, situations often arise where users forget PDF password to their own file or receive a password-protected file without proper credentials. In such cases, the need to retrieve PDF password becomes critical.
This detailed guide explains what PDF passwords are, why they are used, common reasons users need to retrieve them, and all practical methods—manual, professional, and online—to recover or remove PDF passwords safely and efficiently. So, let’s dive into it.
A PDF password is a security feature that restricts access to a PDF document. It ensures that only authorized users can open, edit, print, or copy the content. PDF security typically includes two types of passwords:
1. User Password (Open Password)
Required to open and view the PDF file
Without it, the document cannot be accessed at all
2. Owner Password (Permission Password)
Restricts actions such as editing, printing, copying text, or commenting
The PDF owner password security allows users to open the PDF, but usage is limited
Understanding the type of password applied to your PDF is important before attempting to retrieve or remove it.
There are many legitimate scenarios where users need to retrieve a PDF password, including:
Forgetting the password set on an important document
Receiving a secured PDF from a former employee or client
Losing access credentials to archived or backup PDFs
Needing to edit or print a restricted PDF file
Accessing old PDFs created years ago with unknown passwords
In all these cases, password retrieval helps restore access without recreating the document from scratch. Overall, these are the scenarios where users seek to access the password of a PDF file. Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide.
If you remember the password partially or still have access, Adobe Acrobat Pro allows you to remove it. Using this method, users can remove PDF restrictions and open the document password in one go. This is a professional-grade software that supports all types of security. Whether you’re a professional or a business user, the tool is highly recommended to remove document security.
But if you lost the PDF password, then this software isn’t reliable. It can’t crack the PDF security password. In other words, the tool won’t allow users to disable the protection in the absence of credentials. So, try the utility if you have legitimate PDF password.
Steps:
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Enter the correct password
Go to File > Properties > Security
Set Security Method to No Security
Save the PDF
Pros of Adobe Software
Official and secure method
Maintains document quality
Cons of Acrobat Tool
Requires the correct password
Paid software
This method does not help if the password is completely forgotten.
Whether you lost the PDF password or forgot it, you might be wondering how to retrieve PDF password. Try the SysTools PDF Password Recovery Tool, one of the advanced software to retrieve the PDF password. It is designed for a Windows or macOS machine. Using this powerful software, users can recover both unknown and partially known PDF passwords.
The other prime features of this software include speedy password recovery up to 12 characters. Most importantly, the tool allows you to select the required charset, including letters, symbols, and more. To retrieve the password, it uses the two advanced recovery modes, i.e., brute force or mask attack. Using these modes, users can efficiently get the accurate PDF password. The tool meets the industrial standards and maintains privacy.
Here are the steps on how to retrieve PDF password using SysTools PDF Pro software:
Firstly, install the SysTools mentioned software on your machine.
Tab “Browse” to upload the required document in the dashboard.
Now, choose the Recovery Mode, i.e., Burte Force to retrieve the password.
After this, press the Recover key and get the lost PDF document credentials.
This way, users can unlock PDF without password in few seconds.
Using this method, users can effortlessly retrieve PDF password without having the user password. Compared to Adobe Acrobat, this is the most reliable and trusted technique for accessing the PDF password.
Before attempting to retrieve a PDF password, ensure:
You own the document, or
You have legal permission to access it
Unauthorized access to protected files may violate privacy laws or company policies.
Store passwords securely using a password manager
Maintain password documentation for official files
Use consistent password policies
Keep backup copies of unlocked PDFs
Prevention is always better than recovery.
In the above guide, we have shared the 2 best ways to retrieve PDF password. Using these methods, users can access the PDF credentials. Remember, the Adobe Acrobat method only works if you have the user password. In the absence of a document password, you can’t use this software. Here, try SysTools' recommended tool for retrieving the PDF password without data loss or formatting issues.
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