How to Convert Password Protected PDF to PDF – Simple Methods to Make Secure PDF Unsecure

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Written By Mohit Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On April 4th, 2024
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Are you searching for a way to convert secured PDF to unsecured, turning it into a simple, normal PDF? Perhaps you have a PDF with a password and want to simplify working with it. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple steps to convert a password-protected PDF to normal PDF without any technical hassle.

What Could be the Reasons to Convert Password Protected PDF to Regular PDF?

  • Regular PDFs are easier to work with. Especially for tasks like copying, editing, or sharing the content etc. 
  • A regular PDF means that everyone can view and use the PDF without the need of any password which makes it better accessible without any hindrance.
  • When you need to access the PDF file frequently, having no password can greatly save both time and effort. 
  • When you convert secured PDF to normal PDF file than it can enhances and simplifies the collaboration, since it becomes a normal PDF file, hence, there is no need to share the password among team members. 
  • When you convert secured PDF to unsecured, it also eliminates the chances of forgot password or lose access. Eventually it ensures that you are not loosing the valuable data which is stored in the PDF file.

How to Convert Password Protected PDF to Normal or Unsecured PDF?

It is actually not so difficult to convert password protected PDF to simple PDF file. There are a few ways to perform this task without any hassle. e have discussed three different ways that you can utilize to convert password protected PDF to normal PDF.  You can choose from various methods, and we’ll explain each one clearly:

Method 1 – Using Dedicated Tool (With & Without Password)

SysTools PDF Unlocker is the best choice for users who want to convert protected PDF to PDF irrespective of the type of protection. Whether it’s the owner-level password where you can’t perform certain actions on the PDF file or user user-level password where you can’t even open the PDF document, this tool can help you out. It is extremely easy to use and quickly processes multiple PDF files in bulk.

Important Points:
If the PDF document has a password that restricts users from opening the file, then you need to know the password to remove it. If you password protect a PDF with document-open password, then no genuine solution can remove it without knowing the actual password.

However, if the PDF document has a password that restricts users from performing certain actions, then the tool will directly remove these permissions from the PDF file without needing a password.

How to Convert a Password Protected PDF to Normal PDF Step-by-Step?

Step 1. Run the application on your system.

convert pdf to unsecured pdf

Step 2. Click on Add Files and browse all PDF files you want to convert.

add protected pdf files

Step 3. Enter the document-open password, if PDF has one.

enter the password

Step 4. Click on the Unlock button to start the conversion.

convert password protected pdf to normal pdf

Step 5. After converting protected PDF to a PDF without password, click OK.

click ok to confirm

Method 2 – Convert Secured PDF to Unsecured Using Adobe Acrobat Reader (With Password)

Step 1. The process to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF using Adobe is as follows:

Step 2. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader and open the password protected PDF file in it.

Step 3. Adobe will ask for a password to open the file. When prompted, enter the password necessary to open the document.

Step 4. Once the secured PDF opens, go to “File” and select “Properties“.

Step 5. In the “Properties” dialog box, go to the Security tab.

Step 6. Change the security method to “No Security“.

set no security in the pdf properties

Step 7. Done! You’ve successfully converted password protected PDF to PDF. Now, you can open, edit, and share it like any other simple PDF document.

Method 3 – Convert Password Protected PDF to PDF Without Additional Tool

If you want to convert password protected PDF to normal PDF, you can also use Google Chrome. This method is convenient for those who prefer not to install additional software or use online tools.

  • Step 1. Right-click on the password-protected PDF file and select Open with > Google Chrome to open the file.
  • Step 2. When prompted, enter the password for the PDF document.
  • Step 3. Once the PDF is open, go to the top-right corner and click the three dots to open the menu in Chrome.
  • Step 4. Select “Print” from the dropdown menu. You can also press “Ctrl + P” on your keyboard.
  • Step 5. In the print dialog that appears, click on “Change” and choose “Save as PDF“.
  • Step 6. Apply whatever customizations come your way and click Save to save the PDF file on your local disk.
  • Step 7.  Done! You’ve successfully converted password protected PDF to regular PDF document. This unsecured PDF can now be opened, edited, and shared like any other PDF document.

Conclusion

It is a very straightforward process to convert password protected PDF to PDF file., In this guide, you have multiple methods to choose from. Whether you prefer using Adobe Acrobat Reader, a dedicated platform, or Google Chrome, you can confidently convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF whenever required.

FAQ: Converting PDF to Unsecured PDF

Q1. How to convert secured PDF to unsecured PDF quickly?

If you use the above mentioned software solution then you can easily convert password protected PDF to normal PDF using the below 5 steps.

  • Step 1. Download and run the application on PC.
  • Step 2. Click on Add Files and browse PDF to convert.
  • Step 3. Enter the document-open password, if PDF has one.
  • Step 4. Click on the Unlock button to start the conversion.
  • Step 5. After converting protected PDF to a PDF, click OK.

Q2. Is it legal to convert a password-protected PDF to a PDF?

The legality depends on the circumstances. If you have the right to access the PDF’s content (e.g., you are the owner or have permission), it’s generally legal.

Q3. Can I convert a PDF without knowing the password?

Generally, you need to know the password to convert a non-accessible PDF. You can bypass it only if the document does not have document-open password but rather the permissions password.

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft Certified Expert who wears multiple hats as a writer, researcher, and editor. He's really into cyber security, cloud computing, and digital forensics. These topics get him excited and push him to go beyond just his job. His big goal is to create super well-researched and carefully written articles that help readers learn important technicalities.