How to Remove Encryption from PDF

It may be an irritating experience to lose access to a file when you need it suddenly, and this is particularly true in the case of PDF files due to how they are constructed, and the fact that they can be locked with a password. When it comes to your attempt to remove encryption from PDF or free up space in a PDF file that has been restricted, there are a few tools you can use.

When it comes to removing encryptions imposed on PDF files and then modifying them, UPDF and aJoysoft PDF Password Remover are among the most potent solutions currently accessible - one unlocks it and the other helps you edit and perform other actions. When you use these tools, the procedure of eliminating encryption from PDF files is quite simple. You can remove any constraints at any time by just pressing a single button.

Method 1. How to Remove Encryption from PDF with UPDF

UPDF for Windows and Mac is a fast PDF editor that allows you to alter the text and images inside a PDF file. Fill your PDF with vivid imagery representing all your creativity. The UI is beautifully designed, and UPDF makes the tedious process of editing, annotating, converting, OCR, and organizing PDFs fun and productive. It also has an encryption feature to help you add passwords, check security, change passwords, and remove passwords.

UPDF's elegant UI, significant design aspects, and strong functionality are genuine challenges for business, educational, and skilled usage. This helpful tool has a minimal impact on system resources, making even the most intensive processes manageable. The settings are so straightforward that the learning curve is almost nonexistent.

The features which make it stand out are:

UPDF's top function is the ability to edit PDFs with full functionality and freedom.
Convenient and powerful PDF annotation tools.
Software for reading PDF files that are easy on the eyes.
PDF document and page management are made simple.
It also has a PDF conversion feature and you can convert PDFs to many popular formats.
Lock PDF from editing, printing, and copying with UPDF is straightforward.

Below are the instructions on how to remove encryption from PDF with UPDF (both Windows and Mac supported):

Step 1. Choose the "Remove Security" Option

You can drag your PDF document into the UPDF interface. Or click the "Open File" button on the main interface. If the PDF document is secured with an open password, you will be asked to enter the password.

Click the "Protect" icon on the right toolbar and choose the "Remove Security" option from the list.

remove encryption from pdf without password

Step 3. Unsecure PDF

If your PDF document is encrypted with a Permissions Password, you will be asked to enter the password now. Enter the password, and click the "Remove" button.

And then click "Save" to save the unlocked PDF file to your computer. This is how you remove encryption from PDF with UPDF. Please note that this method only applies in situations where you already know the password. The best part of this method is that after you remove the encryption from PDF, you can edit it and annotate it with the same tool.

Method 2. How to Unencrypt PDF with aJoysoft

aJoysoft PDF Password Remover can let you print, copy, or change PDF files without knowing the owner or master password, which is also what we refer to as Permission passwords above. As mentioned, as long as the original password is known, this software can unlock user-or open-password-protected PDFs.

The best part? This powerful PDF Password Remover can decode up to 200 PDFs in a single batch process, greatly enhancing your efficiency. Below are instructions for decrypting a PDF:

Step 1: Upload Your Encrypted PDF files

Either click "Add Files" to import your PDF files or utilize the more accessible drag-and-drop approach.

Since batch decryption is available, you may import as many files as you need to unlock in a single session.

Step 2: Free Yourself from the Chains of Password Protection

(Scenario 1): No Open or User password set for your PDF

In this instance, aJoysoft won't display a lock symbol next to the file. If you want to be able to make any changes to the document or print copies of it, all you have to do is click the "Remove Password" button.

(Scenario 2): Open or User password has been applied to your PDF

Note: This tool pertains to Permission passwords, which prevent editing, copying, printing, and other actions. To unlock an Open password, which restricts access, you will need to know the password to first unlock the PDF. If you do, then you can use the same tool to remove encryption from PDF as well, as explained in the next section.

A padlock icon and the message "The document has an open password" will appear if your PDF has an Open or User password. A password must be entered to get access.

Clicking the lock symbol will prompt you for a password. After entering the correct password, click "OK" to unlock the file.

Next, select "Remove Password" to wipe off all limitations. Select a destination folder to store the imported, unlocked files when requested.

Two Types of Encryptions for PDF Documents

Encryptions in documents are essential when they are to be protected from illegal access. Thus, PDF editors provide different options for adding encryptions within PDF documents. We shall be reviewing the two types of encryptions that can be added to the documents:

1. Open Password Encryption

The use of this type of encryption is helpful in situations where you have to enclose a complete document. You may use the option of open password encryption if you want to lock the document and send it to another user who can open it with the password communicated to them. This type of lock prevents the PDF from being read by any unauthorized user, which means that it is completely locked and useless if it does not open.

2. Permission Password

Permission passwords are a different form of encryption that puts security on some specifics of the PDF document. PDF editors provide the option of including the option of permission passwords that prevents other users from performing different actions. They might not be able to edit the document or change its formatting. You can also set encryptions that prevent them from printing the document or sharing it on any other platform.

In UPDF, there are also three Encryption Levels of open password and permission passwords, including 128-bit RC4, 128-bit AES, and 256-bit AES. The different levels refer to different protection levels. The 256-bit-AES is the highest level for the password.

Why You Need to Remove Encryption from PDF

Why would one move to remove the encryptions from their PDF document? The reasons provided below will help you understand the significance of removing passwords from the documents:

Putting restrictions on PDF documents prevents you from performing different actions, which might include copying content. If you have to copy some content to another file for another purpose, you won't be able to do it until the files are encrypted. Thus, it is essential to remove these encryptions from the PDF files.
To increase the accessibility of the document to other users, it would be best if you consider removing the encryptions from the PDF document. Removing the encryptions would help you easily share the document with other users. Being a professor, it would be tiring to provide every student with the password to the document.
If you wish to publish the document to another platform, you must have to remove the encryption from the PDF document so that it does not leave behind any problems during the process. As encryption prevents users from accessing or making changes in the document, this can get quite problematic.
Printing documents is impossible if the PDF documents have encryptions on them. The document won't accept any command since it is inaccessible. Thus, you will have to remove the permission password from the document to have it printed.

FAQs about Removing Encryption from PDF

1. How do I remove encryption from a PDF without a password?

You can use aJoysoft PDF Password Remover to remove encryption from a PDF with passwords. It also can batch remove passwords from multiple PDF files. You can try it.

2. Can we convert an encrypted PDF to a normal PDF?

Of course, you can. With a powerful PDF editor or a professional PDF password remover, such as UPDF and aJoysoft PDF Password Remover, you can easily convert an encrypted PDF to a normal PDF.

3. How do I convert encrypted files to normal PDFs?

With UPDF, you can tap on the "Protect Using Password" icon on the right after uploading a PDF file to UPDF. Then you need to select the "Remove Security" option and click the "Remove" button on the pop-up window. Finally, save the changed file.

Conclusion:

To be successful in the software industry, companies behind products like aJoysoft and UPDF must meet the ever-changing needs of their customers by providing them with secure and simple solutions. So go ahead and try these tools to unlock your locked PDF documents and edit them with ease. They're guaranteed to make you more productive and highly efficient at work when studying, or the smooth running of your business. Tap on the button below and use UPDF for a trial!