How to Convert Secured PDF to Unsecured PDF
PDF files are popular because they keep our information safe and are easy to share. It is sometimes impossible to make any changes to them because of passwords or locks. In these situations, it may be necessary to remove this extra security. This process to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF involves changing a locked PDF into one that doesn’t have these restrictions. In this article, we’ll look at what secured PDF signifies and how it can be done in a straightforward way.
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What is “Secured PDF”? Know its Details
A “Secured PDF” is a type of PDF file that has added security measures to protect its content. This often means the PDF is locked with a password, which prevents unauthorized users from opening it. Security can also include restrictions on editing, printing the document, and copying text or images.
How to Check Permission & Document-Open Properties
Checking the permission and document-open properties of a PDF can be done quickly using a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here’s how you can do it:
- First, open the PDF file that you want to check.
- Once the PDF is open, look for the ‘File’ menu at the top of the window. Click on ‘File‘ and then select ‘Properties‘ from the dropdown menu. This will open a new window containing various details about the PDF.
- In the Document Properties window, click on the ‘Security’ tab. This tab will provide detailed information about the security settings of the PDF.
- Here, you can see what actions are allowed or restricted within the PDF.
- Then, click on Change Settings. If the document is protected with a document-open password, it will typically display it. This indicates that a password is required to open the document.
- After reviewing the settings, you can close the Document Properties window by clicking on the ‘OK‘ button.
Simple Way to Convert Secured PDF to Unsecured PDF
SysTools PDF Password Remover offers a straightforward and effective solution for converting secured PDF to unsecured ones. This user-friendly software is designed to effortlessly remove encryption from PDF documents, enabling full access to their content. It’s an ideal tool for those who frequently work with password-protected PDF and require a quick, reliable way to remove security constraints.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to convert secured PDF files to unsecured PDF files easily:
- Download and run the version compatible with your operating system (Windows or Mac).
- Click on the ‘Add Files’ or ‘Add Folder’ button to import the secured PDF file(s) that you want to convert.
- Browse your computer, select the file(s), and click ‘Open’ to add them to the software.
- If the document has an open password, enter it beside the added PDF file.
- After that, select the destination folder where you want to save the unsecured PDF file.
- Once the file is added and you’ve set the destination folder, click on the ‘Unlock’ button.
- After the unlocking process is complete, the software will notify you. You can then access the unlocked PDF file from the destination folder you specified.
This software is designed to be user-friendly, making it suitable for both technical and non-technical users. Plus, the unsecured PDF will no longer require a password for access and will be free from any restrictions.
Adobe Acrobat to Convert PDF Secured to PDF Unsecured
Adobe Acrobat offers a powerful and reliable solution for converting secured PDF to unsecured PDF. This professional software is equipped with advanced features that allow users to easily remove password protection and other security constraints from documents.
The process is user-friendly and secure, ensuring that the integrity of your document is maintained while removing any restrictions. But it requires a password to achieve results.
Here’s how to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF using Adobe Acrobat:
- Firstly, start Adobe Acrobat on the computer.
- Then, click on the ‘File’ menu in Adobe Acrobat and select ‘Open’.
- After that, browse to the location of the secured PDF file you want to convert. Now, select it and click ‘Open’.
- If the PDF is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the password.
- Once the secured PDF is open, go to the File >> Properties >> Security tab.
- In the Security tab, you will see the current security settings of the PDF. Look for the ‘Security Method’ dropdown menu.
- Click on the dropdown menu and change the setting to No Security. Adobe Acrobat will prompt you to confirm the action and re-enter the password. Do so to proceed.
- After removing the security settings, click ‘OK’ to close the Document Properties window.
- Then, go back to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Save’.
- To ensure the PDF is now unsecured, close the file and reopen it in Adobe Acrobat. You should be able to open it without entering a password, and the restrictions should be removed.
This method using Adobe Acrobat is quite effective for those who have access to this software and know the password of the secured PDF.
Online Way to Convert Secured PDF to Unsecured
Converting a secured PDF to an unsecured version online offers a convenient and quick solution for those who do not have access to professional software like Adobe Acrobat.
This method typically involves using a web-based service where users can upload their secured PDF and have the security settings removed. These online tools are user-friendly and require no software installation.
Users simply need to upload their secured document, and enter the password if required, and the online tool processes the PDF. Once the process is complete, the unsecured PDF can be downloaded and used freely. This online method is particularly useful for occasional use or for those who need a quick, hassle-free solution.
Free Way to Convert Secured to Unsecured PDF
Google Chrome is a free tool to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF is a quick and efficient method. This approach is particularly handy because it does not require any additional software downloads or subscriptions. It’s an ideal solution for those seeking a fast, straightforward way to convert protected PDF to unprotected PDF without any hassle.
Here’s how you can achieve this:
- Firstly, launch the Google Chrome browser on a Windows or Mac computer.
- Locate the secured PDF file on your computer. Drag and drop the PDF file into an open Chrome window. Alternatively, you can right-click on the PDF file, choose ‘Open with‘, and select Google Chrome from the list of applications.
- If the PDF is secured with a password, Chrome will prompt you to enter it. Type in the correct password to access the document.
- Once the PDF is open in Chrome, press `Ctrl + P` on Windows or `Cmd + P` on Mac to open the print dialog.
- In the print dialog, change the destination printer to ‘Save as PDF.’ This option allows you to save a new copy of the PDF without the security settings.
- Then, click on the ‘Save’ button in the print dialog. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the new unsecured PDF file. You may also rename the file if you wish.
- Navigate to the location where you saved the new PDF file and open it to ensure that the security settings have been removed.
This method is useful if users want to convert secured PDF that have restrictions (other than Print). It does not work for open-password and PDF documents where Print is not allowed.
Conclusion
Secured PDFs are very common in today’s security-driven platform. So, it is quite convenient to know how to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF. Users can opt for Adobe Acrobat, online tools, simple software, or even Google Chrome. With so many methods available, users can choose the one that best suits their needs.
FAQs
Q – Can I convert a secured PDF to an unsecured one without the password?
It depends on the password type. If it is open password, then a password is a must. If it is a permission-password, then certain software like the recommended tool can bypass it without a password.
Q – Are online tools safe to use?
There is no guarantee. While most online tools are said to be safe, who knows how the uploaded data is being used?
Q – Will the quality of my PDF change after converting it to unsecured?
No, converting a secured PDF to an unsecured one should not affect the quality or content of the document.
Q – Can I convert multiple secured PDFs to unsecured PDFs at once?
Yes, professional software offers batch processing for multiple files.
