How to Make PDF Read Only - 3 Ways to Transform Your Files

Business documents sometimes contain confidential information that transfers to a hierarchy of individuals. It could be catastrophic for the organization if someone steals or alters your PDF document before reaching the final destination. Obviously, no one wants to let that happen.

Before finalizing your PDF document, make sure to set your document to read-only PDF. It will ensure that no one can copy, edit, print, or scan its content. In this article, we'll guide you on how to make PDF read-only in three easy ways.

What is a Read-Only PDF?

Before going further, you need to understand the read-only PDFs in detail. A read-only PDF is one of the PDF's encryption types by which a user can only open and view the document's contents but can't exploit the PDF whatsoever. In this way, your documents will remain much safe and more secure.

Read-only PDF encryption is only applied to password-protected PDFs. That means only the individuals with the permission password can manipulate the settings of a particular PDF. Putting your PDF on read-only is not a big deal if you have the right tool. Yes, placing encryptions and other permissions settings requires a separate tool to do your work.

As we mentioned, a document requires a tool to set PDF to read-only mode. Although tools like Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Reader would do the job, we'd prefer UPDF over them. There are many reasons for choosing UPDF - it includes almost every feature.

UPDF is among the sophisticated tools present today. You'll find every possible advancement compared to Adobe Acrobat and Foxit Reader. UPDF offers many features that enhance how information is presented and increase productivity.

UPDF offers a variety of features, but here we'll discuss those that are relevant to read-only PDF:

• Password Protect PDF: UPDF provides two types of encryptions, i.e., "Document Open" and "Permission" Password. These two encryption features offer extra security to your PDF document.
• Annotation: UPDF also provides extensive annotation tools. By using these tools, you can add highlights, text boxes, shapes, and other elements to your PDFs.
• Multi-Function: It's a multipurpose application. It's not only limited to viewing PDF documents; you can also edit PDF files, convert your PDFs, organize PDF pages, flatten a PDF, and much more.
• Image Editor: Within the application, you can edit images in PDF easily. Image editing tools allow you to quickly crop, resize, copy, delete, and reposition photos.
• Converter with OCR: UPDF also has the feature to convert your PDFs (and scanned PDFs) to other formats.

How to Make PDF Read Only?

Now, let's move on to how to make PDF read-only with UPDF:

Step 1: Open Your PDF Document

First, open the UPDF application on your respective device. After opening, open the PDF file you want to make read-only.

Now, click on the "Protect Using Password" icon on the right-side toolbar.

Step 2. Choose the "Permissions" Option

You'll see different options in the "Protect Using Password" feature now. To make your PDF file read-only, you need to set a permissions password. So please click on the "Permissions" option.

Step 3. How Do I Make PDF Read Only

Now, you will see a new pop-up and type your password in the given text fields.

By default, by setting a permissions password, you restrict the editing, printing, and copying from the PDF file. However, there's an additional customize feature below the password fields that don't allow anyone to edit, print, and copy the document. If you want to personalize your settings, click on "More Options" there, you can set the additional permissions for editing, printing, and copying separately.

Step 4. Save PDF as Read Only

Click the "Apply" button. And then you need to click the "Save" button to save the read-only PDF file you just set. You can choose the name and folder for it.

Note: If you want to convert read-only PDF to editable PDF, you can refer to this article: how to remove password from PDF.

Video Tutorial on How to Protect PDF

How to Make a Read-Only PDF with Adobe Acrobat?

Making PDF read only in Adobe Acrobat is also similar to UPDF. Yes, you can also set restrictions on your PDF using Adobe Acrobat. Your PDF can be protected from manipulations and printings. All you have to do is follow the below steps:

Step 1: To save a PDF file in a read-only version using Adobe Acrobat, open the document you want to put on a read-only PDF.

Step 2: Now, open the document security settings by clicking on the "File" menu. In the "File" menu, click on the "Protect Using Password" option.

Step 3: In the new pop-up, click the "Encrypt with Certificate" option under the "Advanced Options". In the new window, choose "Password Security" under the "Security Method" drop-down list.

Step 4. Check the "Permissions" box. Select Printing and Changes permissions, enter the password, and click "OK". You'll ask to retype the password, re-type it, and click to save and close the file.

How to Create Read-Only PDF Online?

There's another way to make PDFs read only without downloading any tool/software. Yes, you can set your PDF to read-only by using online applications. Web-based applications may be faster and easier than desktop applications, but they don't give you reliability. Moreover, they don't usually provide a secure connection. That means your documents are always at risk.

Here are the steps to make the PDF uneditable using PDF2Go:

• Step 1: Access to the PDF2Go website.
• Step 2: After uploading the file, choose the permissions for PDF from "Prevent Printing," "Prevent Copying," and "Prevent Modifying".
• Step 3: Set a password for the permissions.
• Step 4: Finally, click "STRAT".

Compared with online tools, UPDF is more secure for files. If you pay attention to file security, you can download UPDF and use it for free.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Making PDF Read Only

Well, everything comes with its positive and negative points. Not a single thing in this world is perfect. You have to make adjustments to make it accessible. Sometimes you need to accept the good part and ignore the other part. And sometimes, you do the opposite. The same goes for technology. Every technology has its advantages and disadvantages.

Here we'll see the pros and cons of making PDF read only;

Advantages of Making PDF Read Only

• Provides extra security to your documents and keeps unauthorized persons away from your record.
• Only those who have the password can make the change in your documents.
• No one can steal your content present in a read-only PDF.

Disadvantages of Making PDF Read Only

• In large companies, the documents pass through the hierarchy of people. If anyone left without having the permission password, they wouldn't be able to make the changes or print the document.
• Read-only PDFs only work perfectly on Windows and Mac. If someone has a different operating system, it'll cause problems.
• Forgotten passwords can lead to the permanently losing of your files.

Conclusion

Read-only PDFs increase security and keep unwanted people away from your documents. You already knew how to make PDF read-only in different ways. It's up to which way you want to go. For us, UPDF is the best option to start with. It's cheaper compared to the expensive Adobe Acrobat and has advanced features. Compares to online tools, UPDF is more safe and more stable. And it has a more beautiful user interface and an easy-to-use experience.