There are PDF files that are sent to us encrypted with a password. When that happens, they usually provide us with the key to access the document in some way, so that only we can open it. However, there are times when, for some reason, we need to share it with third parties and we are not interested in keeping the password.
The documents in PDF format that we receive encrypted usually have confidential data. For that reason, they come with a password that only a few individuals know. Some companies send payroll with your ID as the key, to ensure that not just anyone has access to your income and other important information. But what happens if your landlord asks for proof of what you earn for the rental contract? What if you need to pass these PDFs to the manager who manages your finances?
There may also be other reasons why you might want to decrypt a PDF. The issue of payroll and the landlord or manager is just one example of many. Whatever the reason you are interested in removing the key from a document with a password, we show you two fairly simple ways to delete it.
Save as PDF or Print to PDF
Once we know the password, we should have no problem deleting it if you don’t mind leaving the data exposed. Simply enter the key and open it on your computer. Afterwards, it’s as easy as clicking print and you’ll save an identical PDF, but without being encrypted. You can give this name another name or leave the one that appears by default, which will be the same as the original with a “(1)” at the end. Initially, the duplicate PDF will be saved in the same folder, but you can change it if you wish.
You can also save it again as a PDF, but for that you will need to make some changes, such as underlining something. This way, your computer will create a duplicate copy of the file without a password. As happens when you press print, the PC will let you save it as a new document if you wish.
Keep in mind that this method works as long as the PDF does not have printing restrictions. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use this trick, since someone will have marked the document to make it impossible to do so (possibly due to confidentiality). If that happens, you will have to choose to pay for the Adobe Acrobat Pro license.
From Adobe Acrobat Pro
Another option to decrypt a PDF is to use the paid application Adobe Acrobat Pro. Not everyone has it on their computer because there are those who are not willing to pay for its services. But if you have it, or if you’re interested in trying the free trial, you can get rid of the password, even if the PDF has restricted printing functions.
The only thing you will have to do is open the file in Adobe Acrobat Pro and enter the password. Next, click on “Menu”, which is located in the upper left corner, and on “Protection”. There, click on “Security Properties”. Then, select “Security Method” and, within that section, click “No Security”. At this point, just click on “Accept”.
By following these steps that we have mentioned in ADSLZone, you will have eliminated the key from the encrypted document, even if it has restrictions. All that remains is to click “Menu” and, finally, “Save” the PDF. This way, you can send the file to whoever you want, without also sending them the password, so they can review it. If you are not interested in them seeing certain information that is not relevant to the person you are sending it to, remember to cross out what is very confidential before sending it to them.
