How do I remove password from a PDF?
Select the encrypted PDF, enter the password (User or Owner Password), then click 'Decrypt PDF'. Download the unlocked file. It's now completely unrestricted - no opening password, no permission blocks.
Do I need to know if my password is User or Owner Password?
No! Just enter whichever password you have. The tool automatically detects the type and removes the corresponding protection. User Password removes opening encryption; Owner Password removes permission restrictions.
What's the difference between unlocking with User vs Owner Password?
User Password removes the opening password - the output PDF can be opened by anyone without a password. Owner Password removes permission restrictions - the output PDF allows printing, copying, and editing. If you provide both (same password for both), all protections are removed.
Can I decrypt a PDF without the password?
No. You MUST provide the correct password to decrypt. There is no way to bypass or crack the encryption without the password. This tool is for removing protection from PDFs you legally own and have the password for.
Will the decrypted PDF be identical to the original?
Yes, content-wise. The only difference is encryption removal - all text, images, fonts, formatting, bookmarks, and links remain exactly the same. Quality is preserved perfectly.
Can I use the decrypted PDF for merging or converting?
Absolutely! That's one of the main use cases. Once decrypted, the PDF has zero restrictions - merge it with other files, convert to Word/Excel, split pages, add watermarks, compress, or use any other tool freely.
What if I enter the wrong password?
You'll receive an error message: 'Decrypt failed' or 'Incorrect password'. Double-check your password (passwords are case-sensitive) and try again.
Is decryption legal?
Yes, if you own the PDF or have legal rights to unlock it. Decrypting PDFs you created or received permission to unlock is legal. Decrypting copyrighted material you don't own or bypassing DRM for piracy is illegal.
Can I re-encrypt the PDF after decrypting?
Yes! Use our Encrypt PDF tool to add a new password and permissions to the decrypted file. This is useful if you want to change the password or update permission settings.
Does decryption remove watermarks or other content?
No. Decryption only removes encryption and password protection. Watermarks, text, images, and all other content remain unchanged. To remove watermarks, you'd need a separate watermark removal tool.
What happens to my encrypted PDF during decryption?
Small files (10MB or less) process on our server but are never stored. Large files (over 10MB) are temporarily stored during processing and automatically deleted after 2 hours.
Is there a file size limit?
Yes, encrypted PDF files up to 200MB are supported. This handles large documents and portfolios.