PDF is a file format that is universally used because it can be opened using a number of different programs. Typically an individual does not have to download a special program in order to open up a PDF. This makes it an ideal file for an individual to use to send information. Depending on who you ask the fact that you can apply restrictions on PDF files that prevent people from being able to print, edit, and copy the file can be both a good and bad thing.
What if you forget the password or are not able to gain access to the password? They may be a lot of reasons why you need to print, copy, or edit a PDF file and are not able to because you do not have the password.
Since the Google Drive is already protected with 2 layers of security – password and 2-factor authentication – it should be OK if we remove the password protection from PDF files before uploading them to Drive.
Is there any software program available that can remove password protection from PDF files? One that doesn’t cost a dime and works on both Mac and Windows? Well the answer is yes and that too is already installed on your computer. It’s called Google Chrome.
Google Chrome has a built-in PDF reader* and a PDF writer and we can combine the two features to remove the password from any PDF document. Let’s see how:
1. Drag any password protected PDF file into your Google Chrome browser. If you can’t find one, use this sample PDF file – the open password is “labnol” without the quotes.
2. Google Chrome will now prompt you to enter the password of the file. Enter the password and hit Enter to open the file.
3. Now go to the File menu in Google Chrome and choose Print (or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Cmd+P on Mac). Choose the destination printer as “Save as PDF” and click the Save button.
Google Chrome will now save the PDF to your desktop but without the password protection. If you re-open this PDF in Chrome, it would no longer require a password to open.
Alternatively, if you have enabled Google Cloud Print, you can choose the destination as “Save to Google Drive” in the print dialog and the unprotected version of the PDF will be sent straight to your Google Drive from Chrome.
Also See : How to Edit PDF Files
1. Ahead PDF Password Remover
First, you need to download and install the program called PDF Password Remover. You can also download both Windows and Mac version from this page: http://www.mypdfsolutions.com/ and follow the installation wizard to install it to your computer.
First, you will need to click the button labeled "Add Files". You can find this button located near the top of the user interface. Then, you will browse your computer and select the files you want to import and click OK.
Finally, you are going to need to set the designated folder. This is where you want the file to be saved once the program has successfully removed the password.
2. BeCy PDF Meta Edit :
If you are not a Google Chrome user, download this free Windows utility called BeCyPDFMetaEdit to remove passwords from PDF files.
First launch the program and it will ask your for the location of the PDF file. Before you select and open the PDF, change the mode to “Complete Rewrite,” then switch to the Security tab and set the “Security System” to “No encryption.” Click the Save button and your PDF will no longer require a password to open.
What if you forget the password or are not able to gain access to the password? They may be a lot of reasons why you need to print, copy, or edit a PDF file and are not able to because you do not have the password.
Removing PDF Password with Chrome
Since the Google Drive is already protected with 2 layers of security – password and 2-factor authentication – it should be OK if we remove the password protection from PDF files before uploading them to Drive.
Is there any software program available that can remove password protection from PDF files? One that doesn’t cost a dime and works on both Mac and Windows? Well the answer is yes and that too is already installed on your computer. It’s called Google Chrome.
Google Chrome has a built-in PDF reader* and a PDF writer and we can combine the two features to remove the password from any PDF document. Let’s see how:
1. Drag any password protected PDF file into your Google Chrome browser. If you can’t find one, use this sample PDF file – the open password is “labnol” without the quotes.
2. Google Chrome will now prompt you to enter the password of the file. Enter the password and hit Enter to open the file.
3. Now go to the File menu in Google Chrome and choose Print (or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Cmd+P on Mac). Choose the destination printer as “Save as PDF” and click the Save button.
Google Chrome will now save the PDF to your desktop but without the password protection. If you re-open this PDF in Chrome, it would no longer require a password to open.
Alternatively, if you have enabled Google Cloud Print, you can choose the destination as “Save to Google Drive” in the print dialog and the unprotected version of the PDF will be sent straight to your Google Drive from Chrome.
Also See : How to Edit PDF Files
Remove PDF Passwords without Chrome
1. Ahead PDF Password Remover
First, you need to download and install the program called PDF Password Remover. You can also download both Windows and Mac version from this page: http://www.mypdfsolutions.com/ and follow the installation wizard to install it to your computer.
First, you will need to click the button labeled "Add Files". You can find this button located near the top of the user interface. Then, you will browse your computer and select the files you want to import and click OK.
Finally, you are going to need to set the designated folder. This is where you want the file to be saved once the program has successfully removed the password.
2. BeCy PDF Meta Edit :
If you are not a Google Chrome user, download this free Windows utility called BeCyPDFMetaEdit to remove passwords from PDF files.
First launch the program and it will ask your for the location of the PDF file. Before you select and open the PDF, change the mode to “Complete Rewrite,” then switch to the Security tab and set the “Security System” to “No encryption.” Click the Save button and your PDF will no longer require a password to open.