[Full Guide] How to Change PDF Permissions Easily

PDF permissions are a great way to restrict unauthorized changes to a PDF. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to remove or change PDF permissions.

Imagine that you previously set a permission password to block any edits to the PDF. But you realize it also blocks readers from adding comments or filling out the form. So, now you want to change the permission settings accordingly. Alternatively, you may want to remove the permission password entirely.

No matter why you want to change permissions on PDF, the use of the right tools and steps can simplify the process. This guide will teach you how to modify PDF permissions with a few simple clicks.

Part 1. How to Change PDF Permissions in Different Scenarios

There are two common scenarios for changing PDF permissions. One involves changing permission when you know the password. The other scenario involves changing permission without knowing the password.

Let's look at both scenarios and discuss "how do I change my permissions in my PDF files":

Method 1: Change PDF Permission with Password

If you know the PDF permission password, making changes is easy. All you need is a reliable PDF tool, insert the password, and make the changes to the PDF permissions. This is exactly what you can do with UPDF.

UPDF is a powerful PDF protector and editor tool that provides a unified interface to fulfill all PDF-related needs. It allows you to protect a PDF with open/permission passwords and change the permission settings when required.

With UPDF, you can set, change, or remove PDF permissions for different customized accessibility settings as follows:

Setting #1 Printing Restrictions:

• Not allowed
• Printing in low resolution (150 dpi)
• Printing in high resolution

Setting #2 Changes Restriction:

• No edits allowed
• Allowing inserting, deleting, or rotating pages
• Allowing filling in form fields and signing existing signature fields
• Allowing commenting, filling in form fields, and signing existing signature fields
• Any except extracting pages

Setting #3 Encryption Level:

• 128-bit RC4
• 128-bit AES
• 256-bit AES

In addition, you can also remove the open/permission password completely. In short, UPDF provides a wide range of options for changing PDF permissions. All this is offered within an intuitive interface, which makes it super easy to utilize all its features.

Don't just believe in words? Try UPDF and test its PDF permission options yourself.

Here are the steps to change permissions on PDF with password using UPDF:

Step 1. Install UPDF and Open PDF

Install and launch UPDF on your computer (Windows/Mac). Open the PDF whose permission settings you want to change.

Step 2. Unlock the PDF

Click the "Protect PDF" option from the right sidebar and select "Permissions".

It will pop up an alert that the document is password-protected. So, select "Change Settings" and enter the password to unlock the PDF.

Step 3. Change PDF Permissions

Once unlocked, you can change the permission password settings. To do so, click "More Options." Then, modify the printing, editing, and encryption settings.

For example, if you want to allow users to add comments, fill forms and sign, you can click the drop-down menu next to "Changes Allowed" and choose the relevant option.

Once done, reset the permission password and click "Apply" to save the changes.

Bonus Step: Remove PDF Permission

If you want to remove the password from the PDF, click Protect PDF > Remove Security > Remove. Once done, the permission password is removed.

That's it! This way, you can easily change permissions on PDF with the effortless way of UPDF.

Method 2: Change PDF Permission without Password

The second scenario is that you want to modify PDF permissions but don't have the password. For example, you may have set a permission password for a PDF long ago, but now you don't remember it.

In such scenarios, you have to use a password remover to remove the password. Afterward, you can use UPDF to set permissions again with customized settings. aJoysoft is an ideal password remover for this scenario. It can simply remove the permission password with a few simple clicks.

Follow the below steps to learn how to change permissions on PDF without password using aJoysoft and UPDF:

Step 1. Unlock PDF Without Password using aJoysoft

Install and launch aJoysoft on your computer (Windows/Mac). From the home screen, click "Add Files" and select the PDF.

Click "Remove Password" and specify the location on your computer where you want to save the unlocked PDF.

Step 2. Change PDF Permission with UPDF

1. Open the unlocked PDF with UPDF.
2. Click the "Protect PDF" option from the left sidebar and select "Permissions".
3. Click "More Options" and change the printing, editing, and encryption settings as you want.
4. Once done, create a new permission password and click "Apply" to save the changes.

This way, you can smartly leverage aJoysoft and UPDF to modify PDF permissions without a password.

To learn more about the protection features of UPDF, watch this video:

Don't think more! Try UPDF right away and upgrade to its Pro version to access all its top-notch protection features. 

Part 2. Extended Reading: Why Can't I Edit This PDF? Is There a Permission Password?

When you are unable to edit a PDF, the most likely reason is that the PDF is permission-locked. You can use UPDF to check if a PDF has a permission password. The steps are as follows:

• Open the PDF with UPDF.
• Click File > Properties > Security. From there, you will see if the PDF has a permission password or not.

If the PDF has a permission password, you can use either of the above methods to change PDF permissions.

If the PDF does not have a permission password, it might be printed as a non-editable PDF. In simple words, it can be a scanned or image-based PDF. To edit such PDFs, you can use the OCR feature of UPDF to convert them to editable PDFs.

Conclusion

Changing PDF permissions requires using a reliable PDF tool to unlock and make changes to the PDF. From the above discussion, we have seen UPDF as an ideal tool to easily change PDF permissions. Its customizable permission settings and intuitive interface provide an effortless way to change permissions on PDF. Moreover, you can combine the use aJoysoft if you want to change permissions without password.

Don't struggle more! Install UPDF and aJoysoft and modify PDF permissions right away.