How to Open a Locked PDF

July 31, 20231.6K views

Have you ever received an important PDF file that needs to be unlocked with a password before you can edit, print, or copy text from it? To protect a PDF file, users often create passwords to restrict who can fully access it. Want to make an edit to a restricted document? This article provides you with different methods on how to open password-protected PDF files with different PDF Editors, a powerful PDF program.

How to Open Password Protected PDF

UPDF is the perfect tool for you if you are looking to open a locked PDF. UPDF is an industry-grade software that enables users to open a password-protected PDF. It also allows you to edit almost all aspects of a PDF document. The tool is completely free and user-friendly. It is extremely feature-rich and performant, which makes it ideal for heavy PDF workflows. 

 

UPDF is available on Mac and Windows. The software requires almost zero training. Users can edit the text and even images in the PDF documents with just a few clicks. The software also allows you to lock a PDF file with a password. 

It is extremely simple to open a password-protected PDF with UPDF. You may follow the below instructions.

Step 1. Click the "Open File" Button

First, download and install the UPDF software on your system.

Launch the UPDF tool to view the home screen that enables you to open PDF files. You may drag or drop a PDF file in the home console or simply click on the "Open File" button.

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Step 2. Open a Password Protected PDF

If you are attempting to open a password-protected PDF, UPDF will automatically detect the same and prompt you to enter the password. You may now enter the password to gain access to your PDF.

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That's it! It is so simple to open a password-protected PDF with UPDF.

UPDF for Mac also allows you to protect PDF with passwords, including opening passwords and permission passwords. If you need to lock PDF, you can use it to protect your PDF file as well.

How to Open PDF without Password 

Let us now explore how to open a PDF without a password. This involves two steps - 

  1. First, use a password removal tool (like aJoysoft PDF Password Remover) to remove password protection from the PDF file.
  2. Second, open the file using a high-quality PDF reader like UPDF

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Follow the below instructions to remove the password from the PDF file using aJoysoft - 

  1. Download and install aJoysoft PDF password remover. Launch the software on your system. 
  2. Click on "Add Files" to import your PDF document. You can import multiple PDF files as well. 
  3. If your PDF has an open password, click on remove password. This will remove all restrictions on the PDF file.
  4. You can now edit, copy, and print the PDF document's contents without the need to enter a password.
  5. Save the PDF file

You may now open this saved PDF file using UPDF. Launch the UPDF tool and open the PDF file by clicking on the 'Open File' button on the main interface of UPDF. 

In this way, it is possible to open a PDF without a password.

How to Open Password Protected PDF Online Free

It is also important to note that you can open password-protected PDF online using various tools available online. Smallpdf is one such tool that allows you to open locked PDFs online. You may follow the below steps to achieve the same.

  1. Navigate to the SmallPDF online tool in your browser. Now select the PDF password remover tool.
  2. Drag and drop your PDF document in the PDF Password Remover tool.
  3. You will now need to confirm that you have the appropriate rights to the file and click on 'Unlock PDF'.
  4. The decryption process starts.
  5. You can now modify the PDF file further or simply click 'Download File' to save the unlocked PDF.

In this way, you can open locked PDF documents even when the password is not known or unavailable. This can be done fully online.

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Conclusion

Many online and offline PDF editor tools can help you open protected PDF documents. However, it is important to choose the best PDF tool both from a security and affordability perspective. Online tools are generally not considered very secure because it involves uploading the PDF file to cloud storage. It is not always possible to track if the file is not being misused.

Other software tools come with expensive licenses. However, the WPS fits both criteria. It is high-quality and secure software because the files remain only on your desktop. Moreover, the tool is completely free without any hidden charges. This makes it the go-to tool to open password-protected PDF files. 

Check here to learn more about how to add password to your PDF to secure your file with WPS Office: How to Put Password on PDF Online? Secure Your Files with WPS

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.