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4 Ways on How to Unlock PDF File Without Password Instantly

Do you
forgot PDF password
⁠
? Handling the document often becomes a challenging task when it is password protected. Many industries need to impose document security like encryption or restrictions to ensure authenticity and data originality. This can be frustrating and stressful if you lose the document's password. Now, you must be wondering how to unlock PDF file without password. The following guide will explore the 4 effective techniques, including free and advanced software options for unlocking the highly protected PDF document.

What are the Common Types of PDF Lock?

Before jumping over the methods for unlocking PDFs without the password. There are different types of PDF lock protection mainly used to secure the accessibility and sensitivity of the document. It mainly includes password protection or owner restrictions. Below is the overview of these PDF protections in detail:
User Password Security: To
protect PDF from screenshot
⁠
, user password protection is used. This mode of security requires the correct passkey to access or open the document. Using this password protection, you can share or distribute the confidential PDF only with legitimate users.
Owner Password Security: Instead of securing the whole document, owner protection is yet another way to safeguard the data from tampering. Using the owner's password protection, you can restrict the actions of editing, printing, content copying, and more, ensuring data security.
Overall, these are the modes of protection used to lock the PDF document. Despite the benefits, the restriction causes discomfort when you need to access the data instantly. Now, you might be seeking ways for how to unlock the protected document.
Imagine: if you don’t have a password, you might be wondering about the methods to unprotect PDF without a password. So, let’s discover the ways to access the password.

Can I Unlock PDF Without Password?

Unlocking the PDF is easy when having the password. Without the legitimate passkey, it is unethical to unlock the locked PDF document. Either, you need to ask for the credentials from the owner or review ways to recover the password. Here are the ways to access the password of secured PDF document:
Try a Common Combination of Passwords: If you don’t have the password, try a combination of characters such as your name, number, and symbols. Moreover, it is a time-consuming process, please be patient when recovering the password.
Use Brute Force Method: It is a type of attack mainly used to access the PDF password. Moreover, it is an unethical technique if performed without the owner's permission. Here, users try multiple combinations to unlock the document. It is equally frustrating. However, if you get the password then, perform the below steps to unlock the document with ease.

How to Unlock PDF File Without Password - 4 Best Ways

Previously, we have discussed the methods for accessing the document password if lost. After recovering the password, if you’re looking for ways to unlock PDF without password. Here are the steps for unprotecting the secured PDF document:
1. Use Online PDF Unlocking Tools
2. Google Drive & Docs for Unlocking PDF
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool for Removing Security
4. SysTools
Strongly Encrypted PDF Password Remover
⁠
⁠
Now, let’s understand these methods one after another.

#1 How to Unlock PDF Without Password - Online PDF Tools

If you’re wondering how to unlock a PDF without the password​, online PDF unlocking tools are among the best choices. From handy features to simplified interfaces, these websites are used by professionals, businesses, or even students. Some of the popular PDF unlocking platforms include Smallpdf, PDF2Go, iLovePDF, etc. Using these tools, you can disable password protection and other owner-level permissions in batch mode.
Most importantly, you don’t require any software installation to unlock the document without a password. Here are the steps for how to unlock PDF file without password using online tools:
Go to online platforms like iLovePDF.
Choose Files > upload the documents.
Enter the recovered password > Unlock.
Now, save the new unprotected PDF file.
Pros:
Free and online solution for unlocking the document.
Works with all operating systems or devices effortlessly.
There is no file size limitation when uploading PDFs.
Cons:
High chances of formatting errors.
There is a potential risk of data leakage and exposure due to a lack of privacy concerns.
It doesn’t work with highly encrypted PDF documents so, don’t rely on these online tools.

#2 How to Unlock a PDF Without Password - Use Google Drive

Google Drive is yet another way to unlock the PDF document if restricted with copy or print protection. Moreover, this is not a dedicated solution as it doesn’t unprotect strongly encrypted PDF documents. However, if you have a document password then, try the below step-by-step guidance to unlock PDF using Google Drive:
Sign in to your Google Drive account.
Tab File Upload > add the locked PDF.
Perform right-click > Open With > Google Docs.
It slightly changes the formatting > go to File.
Move to Download > PDF Document.
Lastly, download the new unprotected PDF.
Pros:
This only works with PDFs with restrictions.
Easy and fast way of removing protection.
Cons:
This is not an ideal way to unlock the document without a password.
It can’t remove highly encrypted protection from PDF documents.
Impact on formatting and originality of the PDF file.

#3 How to Unlock a PDF Without Password - Adobe Acrobat Tool

If you’re searching for a secure way to unlock PDF without password, use the Adobe Acrobat Pro tool. This amazing software is mainly used for managing PDF documents. Using this pro tool, you can remove user and owner passwords in batch mode. If you don’t have a password then, try the brute force method or an online recovery tool to find out the legitimate passkey.
Without a password, there is no way to unlock the locked PDF. Now, if you have the document credentials, you can follow the below methods for how to remove the PDF protection without a password using Adobe Acrobat Tool:
Open Adobe Acrobat tool on your operating system.
Go to File > Protect > Encrypt > click Security.
In the Security section > pick No Security.
Enter the necessary password > re-enter it.
Lastly, use Ok and then, Download the new PDF.
Now, you can open the document without a password.
Pros:
This is a professional and advanced tool with an extensive range of features
It can unlock both passwords and owner-level security at once.
Cons:
Acrobat is an expensive and subscription-based software.
Individuals and small businesses can’t afford the tool due to the pricing structure.

#4 How to Unlock PDF File Without Password - SysTools PDF Password Removing Tool

If you’re seeking how to unlock PDF without password, try SysTools
PDF Unlocker
⁠
, the advanced and reliable software for unlocking the tool. This pro tool is designed for Windows or Mac OS. Moreover, this unlocker tool supports both user and owner passwords. In this way, you can remove restrictions like editing, content copying, printing, and document assembly.
Most importantly, this software allows you to unlock passwords from PDFs ethically. Compared to online and Acrobat tools, this is an independent and cost-effective solution that offers batch processing. Additionally, this pro solution secures the PDF elements or formatting during the process. Now, let’s move to understanding stepwise guidance.

Quick Steps to Unlock a PDF Without the Password​

Run the SysTools Unlocking PDF Tool on your PC.
Add Files to upload the locked PDF files.
Under Password > enter the document passkey.
Go to Save and then, Change > click the Unlock button.
Lastly, save the new unprotect PDF document.

Conclusion

In the above guide, we have shared 4 ways for how to unlock PDF file without password. By using these methods, you can remove the password from the locked document. Compared to all the solutions, SysTools PDF Unlocking software is a fast and reliable way to unlock the PDF with or without a password. Additionally, you can use the above ways to access the lost passkey and then, use this pro tool to remove the complex password with ease.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.