Add or Remove Password from PDF

adobe acrobat

Adding password protection to PDF documents is crucial for protecting sensitive information. It prevents unauthorized access, ensuring confidentiality and privacy. It acts as a reliable defense against unauthorized sharing, tampering, or theft of valuable data, both personally and professionally.

However, removing a password from a PDF document may be necessary when sharing the file with others or uploading it to a platform such as Banner Document Management. It allows for easier sharing and accessibility. However, you should ensure the document is being shared in a secure and trusted environment to prevent unauthorized access.

In this guide you will learn how to:

Add a Password to PDF

1. Sign into Acrobat web or launch Acrobat via desktop application.

These steps will work for online or desktop application.

Note: You can visit our guide on Getting Started with Adobe to learn how to log in to your work account if it's your first time. Plus, as an Alamo Colleges District employee, you instantly gain access to all creative cloud apps.

2. In the top navigation bar, select All tools > Protect a PDF.

navigation bar, select tools, protect a pdf

3. Select the document that you would like to protect. Press Continue.

select document, click continue to protect pdf

4. Set your password.

We recommend using a combination of letters, a number, and a special character.

set a password and confirm it to protect pdf

Note: Once you set a password, you will have to enter it each time you open the PDF. So perhaps make it something that is memorable.

enter pdf password created, click submit

Success! Now you can share your sensitive PDF documents securely.

Remove a Password from PDF

Removing a password from PDF must be done in the desktop application. Depending on what system you are using, the processes may differ. Follow the instructions for your version of Acrobat below.

Note: In order to remove a password from PDF, you must know the password. If you do not know your password, contact Adobe Acrobat for additional support.

Windows

1. Login to Adobe Acrobat on desktop.

2. Open the PDF file that you want to remove Password Protect from.

Type in the password, press OK.

enter password screen for protected pdf with a yellow warning label and box to enter password. red rectangle border lined around ok button

3. Locate the lock icon, which will open Security Settings. For Windows it will be on the left side of the screen.

red square border highlighting lock button in adobe acrobat pdf editor screen

4. In Security Settings, click Permission Details.

security settings tab in acrobat with lock icon and red rectangle around permission details

5. A pop-up will appear titled Document Properties. Under Security, click the drop down menu for security method to change the setting.

document properties page with options to remoce

6. Select No Security.

7. Verify that you want to remove password protect.

pop-up message with yellow warning icon asking if you are sure you want to remove the password. red rectangle highlighting ok button.

8. See that the Security Method now states No Security.

The password has been removed and you may now exit the tab.

document properties page with security method stating no security. black text, white background.

Success! You have officially removed your password protect for easy sharing. Make sure to edit the document if necessary to remove any sensitive or confidential information.

Mac

1. Login to Adobe Acrobat on desk top.

2. Open the PDF file that you want to remove Password Protect from. Type in the password, press Submit.

enter pdf password created, click submit

3. Locate the lock icon, which will open Security Settings. For Mac it will be on the right of the screen.

locate lock icon for password security settings

4. In Security Settings, click Permission Details.

click permission details for advanced password settings

5. A pop-up will appear titled Document Properties. Under Security, you can click the drop down menu for security method to change the setting.

click the drop down menu to select security options

6. Select No Security.

select no security to remove password from PDF

7. Verify that you want to remove password protect.

verify that you want to remove password protect

8. See that the Security Method now states No Security. The password has been removed.

Press Ok again.

click ok again to remove password protect

Success! You have officially removed your password protect for easy sharing. Make sure to edit the document if necessary to remove any sensitive or confidential information.

Additional Resources

Want to lean more? Visit the Adobe Acrobat Tutorials. Need help with something else? Contact the IT help desk.

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