Best Methods to Remove Password from PDF Without Adobe

Written By Adom James
Updated on June 22nd, 2025

Sophie Green Query: “Hi, I received a bunch of PDF reports from my colleague, but each one is password-protected. I know the password, but it’s annoying to enter it every time I open a file. I don’t have Adobe Acrobat. Is there any easy way to remove the password from these PDFs without using Adobe? Preferably something free or that works to remove password from PDF in bulk.”

Introduction: Absolutely! If you already know the password and just want to avoid entering it every time, the PDF Restriction Remover Tool is a great solution. It helps you remove both open passwords and permission restrictions (like printing, copying, or editing) without Adobe Acrobat. In this blog, we’ll explore the best methods to remove passwords from PDF files without Adobe. We’ll also show how this powerful tool can make the process effortless, even for batch files.

Table of Contents

What Is a PDF and Why Is It Password-Protected?

A PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format developed by Adobe. This format makes sure that your document looks the same on any device. Also, it keeps text, images, tables, and formatting the same as it was. PDFs are often protected to determine who can view, edit, or share them. There are two types of restrictions:

User Password (Open Password): Prevents unauthorized users from opening the file.
Owner Password (Permissions): Controls actions like printing, copying, and editing.

These restrictions are useful for protecting sensitive content. However, they can also be inconvenient when you need quick or frequent access.

Quick Steps to Remove Password from PDF

First, download PDF Restriction Remover Tool on your system.
Next, click Add Files/Add Folder and select the locked PDF.
Then, choose a location to save the unlocked file.
After that, apply extra settings if needed and hit the Unlock button.
Finally, your PDF will be saved without any restrictions.

Quick Solutions:

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Understanding the Need to Remove Security from PDF File

There are several reasons why users want to unlock or remove passwords from their PDF files:

It is very irritating to type the password every time when you open the same file often.
Plus, it’s harder to share the file with others because everyone needs the password.
Also, it can slow you down if you have many locked PDF files to work with.
Sometimes, you can’t print, copy, or edit the file because of the restrictions.
If the PDF is locked, tasks like combining files or converting them might not work.
Moreover, password protection can make it hard to save or organize files.

Further, we will go through the top methods to remove password from PDF file:

Method 1. Remove password protection from PDF Via Google Chrome

If you’re looking for a quick and free option, Google Chrome can help, as long as you know the password. It’s a convenient approach for users who need to remove the password from a single PDF.

First, launch Google Chrome on your computer.
Then, drag and drop the password-protected PDF into a new browser tab.
When prompted, enter the password to open the file.
Next, press Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on Mac) to open the Print dialog.
Under Destination, choose Save as PDF.
Finally, click Save and choose where you want to store the unlocked file.

You’ll now have a new PDF file that no longer requires a password to open.

Limitations:

However, this method only works if you know the correct password.
Also, it doesn’t remove restrictions like editing or printing.
Moreover, it only supports one file at a time—no batch processing.

Method 2. Remove security from PDF file using Free Online Tools

If you prefer not to install software, free online PDF unlockers offer a simple solution. These are best used when the file is not confidential or sensitive.

Smallpdf
iLovePDF
PDFUnlock

How to Use These Tools to Remove Password from PDF

First, go to the website of your preferred unlock tool.
Next, upload your locked PDF file.
Then, enter the password if the tool requests it.
After that, click on Unlock or Remove Password.
Finally, download the unrestricted PDF once the process is complete.

Method 3. Remove Password Using Adobe Acrobat Pro

If you already have Adobe Acrobat Pro, then you can remove PDF password without knowing password:

First, open Adobe Acrobat Pro on your computer.
Then, go to File >> Open and choose the locked PDF.
Next, enter the correct password to unlock the document.
Once it opens, click on File>> Properties.
After that, switch to the Security tab.
From the Security Method drop-down, select No Security.
Click OK to confirm and remove the protection.
Finally, click File>> Save to unlock PDF without password.

Note: This feature is only available in the Pro version. The free Adobe Reader doesn’t support password removal.

Most Efficient Way to Remove Passwords from Multiple PDFs

In many cases, using a professional tool becomes the most efficient option, especially when manual methods fall short. The CloudMigration PDF Restriction Remover Tool is one such reliable solution that helps users remove both open passwords and permission restrictions from PDF files. Moreover, it supports unlocking multiple PDFs at once. Whether you need to print, copy, or edit content from PDF file, this utility makes it possible without Adobe Acrobat. Overall, it’s a precise and safe method for anyone to regain full access to their PDF documents.

Detailed Instructions to Remove Password from PDF

Follow these simple steps to remove passwords and restrictions from your PDF files:

First, download and open CloudMigration PDF Restriction Remover Tool on your PC.
After that, tap on the Add Files/Add Folder and browse the PDF file. Click Open to add it.
Then, choose the destination path where you’d like to save the unlocked PDF files.

Now, apply any additional settings if needed, such as maintaining file hierarchy.
Finally, click on the Unlock button to remove PDF encryption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we explored different ways to remove password from PDF, with and without Adobe Acrobat. Moreover, we discussed free methods using Chrome and online tools for quick access. However, for bulk or restricted PDFs, an automated tool works best. Therefore, using a professional solution ensures safe, fast, and complete access to your PDF files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it possible to remove PDF password without knowing the password?

Ans: With the manual procedure, it can’t be possible. But with the recommended utility, you can remove the PDF password even if you don’t remember the last password.

Q2. Which is the best tool for free to remove password protection from a PDF?

Ans: The CloudMigration PDF Restriction Remover Tool offers a free demo version that lets you remove PDF restrictions securely and easily.

About The Author:

Adom James