Document protection is essential due to the increasing number of data leaks. Despite the usability, sometimes PDF security can lead to frustration when accessing the document instantly. It stops viewers from editing, content copying, printing, and more. The consequences of this barrier include loss of productivity. Here comes the need for how to unlock a PDF file from protection or security.
Unlocking the document allows legitimate users to access, open, edit, and perform necessary tasks effortlessly. Now, let’s discover the free and advanced software solutions for unsecured PDF files.
What Does the Meaning of Locked PDF?
The practices of data compromise are comparatively increasing. If you’re still sharing confidential PDF documents without security, you are providing data leakage and exposure opportunities. Fortunately, PDF password protection or restrictions are the best way to lock PDFs from unauthorized access. The purpose of document security is to secure highly confidential data from digital misuse.
Moreover, the locked PDF is kind of a secured document. It is mainly protected with two modes of restrictions such as password encryption and owner permissions. These protections help secure information. Many industries use these restrictions on sensitive files like financial records, patient history, transaction history, client files, contracts, and more.
Here is a detailed understanding of PDF protection:
- Password Security: Sometimes PDFs ask for an open password which means that the document is secured with a strong password. It is mainly imposed on privileged files to safeguard the data from direct access.
- Owner Security: To stop viewers from editing, text repurposing, copying, and printing, owner password or restrictions are applied. It helps to limit the actions and secure the document from misuse.
Overall, you can use these protections effectively based on the sensitivity of the document. However, managing PDFs with security is a tedious task for anyone. From accessing to sharing the document, viewers need to enter the password which reduces productivity.
So, Let’s dive into the methods for how to unlock a PDF document to increase usability and efficiency. Removing barriers making it easier to control documents with ease.
How to Unlock PDF - 4 Best Methods
In the following section, we will share 4 effective ways to remove PDF restrictions. By implementing these basic to advanced methods, you can easily mitigate the hurdles. In this way, you can instantly open, edit, view, and access PDF files. Here are the go-to methods for how to unlock secured PDF file:
1. Online Tools to Unlock Multiple PDF Files
2. Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool to Remove Security from Document
3. Chrome Browser to Disable PDF Protection
4. SysTools Strongly Encrypted PDF Password Remover - Advanced Way
Now, let’s walk through these approaches in the below section.
#1 How to Unlock a PDF File - Online PDF Tools
To unlock PDF, many online tools offer quicker and more convenient ways to remove document protection. Some of the common platforms are iLovePDF, PDF2Go, Smallpdf, etc. From passwords to restrictions, these have become handy tools for removing security from documents. These websites have simple interfaces with clear features, making them easier to access without software installation and sign-ups.
Here is the stepwise guide for how to unlock secured PDF file using online tools:
- Visit websites like Smallpdf.
- Drag & drop the PDF document.
- Enter the password > re-enter it.
- Lastly, tab Unlock button > download file.
Pros: Online tools are a fast and easy way to disable protection. Doesn’t require third-party software installation.
Cons: Uploading confidential documents online, unlocks the chances of data leakage. Moreover, these websites aren’t trustworthy; they keep the information leading to misuse of information.
#2 How to Unlock Protected PDF File - Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool
Adobe Acrobat is one of the professional-favored tools when it comes to managing PDFs. This amazing software provides features to unlock multiple PDF files without compromising data. It allows you to disable PDF protection such as password and owner security. By removing these limitations, you can increase the usability of PDF documents.
Additionally, it helps to secure PDF elements during the process. Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to unlock a PDF using the Adobe Acrobat Pro tool:
- Run the Acrobat Pro Tool on your system.
- Use the File and then the Properties feature to add PDF.
- Under Document Properties > pick the Security option.
- In Security > choose to Remove Security > enter a password.
- Enter the password > press OK > save the unprotected PDF.
Pros: Secure and trusted tool for unlocking the protected PDFs.
Cons: Adobe Acrobat Pro tool is a highly expensive tool based on subscription plans. For individuals and small businesses, this software isn’t flexible due to the fee structure. So, look for alternative tools for unlocking PDFs.
#3 How to Unlock a PDF Document Using Chrome Browser
If you’re wondering about the simple method for removing lock from a PDF document, Google Chrome is yet another option. It effectively works with protected files allowing users to download the unprotected document. Below are steps for unlocking the PDFs via Chrome Browser:
- Open Chrome Browser on your PC.
- From desktop > select PDF > Open With > Chrome.
- If the PDF is protected > type password > Sumit.
- After this, download an unsecured PDF document.
Pros: Simple and useful method for removing PDF security.
Cons: Chrome isn’t the dedicated software solution for unlocking multiple PDFs. Using this method, you can’t remove strong encryption status from the document. Therefore, look for a secure and ethical way to manage PDF files.
#4 How to Unlock PDF - SysTools Unlock PDF Tool
Many of you still search how to unlock protected PDF file in batch mode, use SysTools PDF Unlocker, one of the most advanced and highly powerful tools for unlocking multiple PDFs. This software is compatible with all the latest editions of Windows or Mac OS. Moreover, it supports PDF password protection, encryption, and owner password.
Using this pro tool, you can disable editing, content copying, printing, etc, restrictions hassle-free. Compared to other methods, this tool is a cost-effective, simple, and fast way to unlock documents. Additionally, it has a built-in feature to secure the PDF elements or formatting with 100% accuracy. Now, let’s move to understand the step guidance.
Guide for How to Unlock Secured PDF File
- Download SysTools PDF Unlocking Solution.
- Use the “Add Files” feature to upload all the documents.
- In the Password section > enter the password if required.
- Pick the Save option and then, Change to find the location.
- Lastly, press the Unlock button to remove security.
Concluding Words
Unlocking the PDFs becomes necessary in multiple situations. Here, we have shared 4 best ways for how to unlock a PDF document in batch mode. The online, Google Chrome, and Acrobat tools have major limitations. Here, consider SysTools PDF Unlocking tool, one of the trusted software for removing the protection. Despite the file size and data leakage, you can unlock multiple PDFs with ease.
Also, read methods to bulk convert MBOX to PDF file.
