How to Make PDF Read Only & Non-Editable in a Few Steps?

Written By Kanishka Vohra

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Modified On December 19th, 2025

Reading Time 12 Minutes Reading

For sharing or managing the data, PDFs remain the most reliable and trusted document format. Whether you’re a student, professional, business worker, or anyone, maintaining the file structure or formatting across all devices is useful for all. Remember, the accessible PDFs can be tampered with if they contain confidential data. Here, you might seek how to make PDF read only or non editable to mitigate the risk of misuse.

In the following guide, we will share the importance of creating a non-editable document and multiple techniques, including online, Windows, Acrobat, Mac Preview, and a professional tool for creating a read-only PDF file.

Why Users Make PDF Read Only?

PDF documents are more like workmates and are widely used in different industries including the business sector, government, healthcare, education, and more. In several instances, the documents hold sensitive content that might be stolen and trigger detrimental or major loss. Some of the bad consequences are damage to reputation, decreased customer credibility, data compromise, etc.

To control these security flaws or loopholes of data loss, the use of PDF read-only protection becomes essential. In simple terms, read only PDF lets users view the content while controlling all actions. Here, document creators restrict actions, allowing viewers only to view or read the data, rather than using it. In this way, the viewer can only access the information to read. Moreover, it prevents them from any actions such as “forwarding, repurposing, modifying, printing, and damaging the PDF content”.

Here are the common benefits to convert PDF to read only and non-editable documents:

Improves PDF Security: Using strong PDF read-only protection stops unwanted or unauthorized actors from spreading the wrong information. This kind of security helps to reduce the risk of data leakage and modification.
Follow the Law and Compliances: Some industries deal with sensitive data, so here comes the need to make PDF read-only. Moreover, these restrictions comply with law standards like HIPAA and DRM rights.
Prevent Accidental Modification: When a group of people or an entire team collaborates on the same document, the risk of accidental or intentional content deletion increases. Here, applying the read only protection secures the data from all actions.

Overall, creating read only PDFs is considered a preventive action for securing the document from misuse or any data compromise. Hence, it is a beneficial step for document creators to ensure data remains unchanged or tamper-proof.

Things to Know: Read Only Protection Vs PDF Password

The read only security controls the viewer’s actions. However, it lets them read the content.
The password security requires the document credentials even to open the PDF file.

Who Uses Read Only Protection on PDFs?

To secure the PDF content from any illegal distribution or accessibility, many professionals or industries use read-only protection. Here are some of the common cases:

Financial Reports: In any sector, financial reports hold highly confidential data related to the company. If stolen, it can impact on the reputation and integrity of the organization. Here using read-only or non-editable prohibition is unable to make any changes.
Government Sector: The public administration or government sectors share policies, survey reports, contracts, and other necessary guidance. Here using the read-only protection allows them to eliminate the risk of data modification.

Healthcare Industry: Healthcare or insurance companies share and receive sensitive reports or patient histories that comply with security or privacy standards like HIPAA. To secure these documents, it is necessary to enable read-only protection on PDF files.

PDF with read-only protection helps to maintain document security and prevent unauthorized changes. Additionally, it depends on the nature of PDF where professionals or industries enable such permissions to ensure data protection.

How to Make a PDF File Read Only in Seconds?

Firstly, download or launch SysTools PDF Lock Tool on your PC.
Use the dual feature: Add File to Folders to drop the document.
Tab to Change for selecting the custom location > Next.
Disable all the permissions under the Changes Allowed drop-down.
Enter the strong protection password if required.
Finally, use the Lock button to create read only PDF.

Download Now Purchase Now

How to Make PDF Read Only File: 6 Easy Methods

Previously, we have shared the common reasons to make PDF read-only. Here, we will discuss the best ways for converting the document into a non-editable file. In this way, nobody can get the right to change the data without legitimate permissions. This helps to mitigate the chances of unwanted modification or stealing of content for repurposing.

Here’s how to make your PDF read only:

Microsoft Word to save PDF file to read only
Windows File Properties Feature (Free)
Online PDF Tools to make PDFs not editable
Adobe Acrobat Pro Software for PDF to non-editable file
Mac Preview for creating the read-only document
SysTools PDF Utility to make PDF read-only

Now, let’s talk closely about these methods.

#1 How to Make PDF Non Editable Using Microsoft Word

If you’re wondering how to make a PDF read only or non-editable document, use Microsoft Word. It is one of the basic methods to try when it comes to adding restrictions on documents. Remember, it is not an ideal or dedicated tool for converting the PDF into a read-only file instead you can use it just for minimal editing prohibition. Here is the stepwise guide for how to make a PDF non editable using Word:

Open the PDF with Word (edition 2013 or latest).
Move to Review action > select Restrict Editing.
Under “Allow only this type of editing in the file” > choose No Changes.
Set the strong Password > confirm “Yes, Start Enforcing Protection”.
Lastly, look for File > Save As > PDF.

Unfortunately, it is not an effective way to save the PDF as a read-only document. Anonymous actors can use dedicated tools like strongly encrypted PDF password remover to remove these kinds of permissions.

Limitations: There are several drawbacks to using Word for converting PDF into read-only files. This solution is prone to formatting errors or causes issues if PDF has complex elements such as images and unsupported fonts. Additionally, it is not a trustworthy solution as it may allow users to edit, copy, or print the restricted document. So, we suggest you choose an advanced or specialized tool for creating read-only PDFs.

#2 How to Make PDF Document Read Only in Windows? (Operating System Settings)

If you’re wondering how to make PDF read only without password, try File Properties in the Windows operating system. In other words, Windows users can create a read only or non-editable PDF document without using a password or software installation.

Using the File Properties, you can create a read-only PDF, but it is just the basic protection. Now, follow the steps to access PDF to read only PDF using File Properties in Windows:

Access your PDF document in Windows OS.
Perform a right-click and pick Properties.
Under the General option > enable the checkbox of Read-only.
Tab Apply feature and save the file.

It is a built-in feature that won’t require the installation of third-party solutions. However, there are major disadvantages; see them below.

Limitations of File Properties: It won’t secure content from alteration or repurposing. Anyone can still modify the document or use it for malicious purposes.

#3 How to Make PDF Non Editable With Online Software

Since Word is not a reliable solution for making PDFs read-only documents. Here comes the need for online OCR tools. These are freeware and dedicated software solutions where you can save PDF as non-editable or view-only documents. Using these tools, you can convert the whole document into read only PDF file. Here are the steps to create read only PDF easily:

On your web, search for any of these online services.
In the welcome interface, look for Choose Files.
After uploading the file, you can choose the Flatten option.
Lastly, download the Flatten document i.e. image-based file.

Online tools only help for converting PDFs into non-editable or flattened documents. The major drawback of this tool is that viewers can use other OCR tools to access the flattened text into copyable or printable PDF files. Now, move to read the other limitations of these online services.

Limitations: To convert PDF to read only, online tools aren’t an effective solution. Moreover, it holds the risk of confidential data. Most importantly, these tools are capable of extracting data from your confidential document. Hence, it works against the protocol of privacy and security standards. Additionally, it can cause formatting issues after saving the file.

#4 How to Make a PDF Read Only with Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool

To convert PDF to read only, use Adobe Acrobat Pro which is one of the most advanced and powerful tool for restricting actions like editing, content copying, printing, and extracting the pages. It leverages users to convert the data into view-only status. In this way, the document creator can control the accessibility and originality of the file.

Moreover, it is considered the go-to solution for preventing unauthorized access to PDF content. Here are the quick steps for how to make PDF read only in Acrobat Pro tool:

To make PDF read only Mac or Windows, open the Acrobat Pro tool.
Go to Properties, and then, choose Security > Password Security.
After this, set the document password or permissions > OK.
Lastly, save the read-only or non-editable PDF on your system.

Remember: Adobe Acrobat is a costly solution compared to other services. The monthly subscription plan of this tool starts from $24/month. Sometimes users get confused due to the advanced features of this software. So, move down to know the best way to make read-only PDF document.

#5 How to Make a PDF Non-Editable Using Preview

For Mac users, Preview is a default application, commonly used as the image viewer. Moreover, it is a replica of PDF Reader. In other words, it offers robust features to manage the PDFs while applying common security. Fortunately, the application is helpful if you’re searching for how to make a PDF read only. Using the Preview App, users can add protection or make non editable PDF document. Below are a few steps on how to make a PDF read only in Preview Mac:

On your Mac, open the Preview application.
Once accessing the app, tab File and then the Export feature.
Look for Encrypt to set the required document password.
After this, save the read-only PDF file instantly.

In just four steps, you can make a read only PDF on Mac. Without software installation, you can create a non-editable PDF file. This way, you can secure the content when sharing the PDF among the team.

Why Preview isn’t the Right Choice: Mac Preview isn’t the dedicated solution for making the PDF read only. Moreover, it offers basic features and won’t meet your industrial standards. Many online tools are capable of bypassing these limitations. Therefore, utilize the advanced tools to create non-editable PDFs.

#6 How to Create Read Only PDF – SysTools PDF Pro Tool

If you’re looking for a secure and trustworthy approach on how to make PDF non editable, choose SysTool PDF to Read Only PDF Tool. It is one of the top-notch and highly recommended tool to save the read-only document.

Moreover, this is an amazing software that supports all kinds of security or restrictions. Using this robust tool, you can add multiple permissions like editing, copying, extracting pages, printing, etc, on your document to prevent the chances of data loss or modification.

Most importantly, this tool allows you to add strong encryption standards like AES 245-bit. In this way, you can access the read-only PDF document to secure confidential information with ease. Now, download this pro utility on your Windows or macOS.

Steps for How to Make a PDF Non Editable

Download the SysTools recommended tool.
Choose options: Add Files or Add Folders.
Go to the Change option and then, press Next.
Under Apply Document Restriction > choose permissions.
Here, you can add password or encryption type.
Lastly, press the Lock button to make PDF read-only file.

It is a convenient and hassle-free solution for converting multiple PDFs into read-only documents. Here are the common benefits of this tool:

Restrict modifications – editing, printing, repurposing, etc.
Stop PDF text copying and pasting to another document.
Preserve the original formatting of the PDF text.

Important Tips to Keep in Mind When Making PDF Non Editable

Users should keep in mind the below tips when making PDFs read-only:

Use strong, unique passwords for your PDFs.
Set high encryption method using SysTools software.
Share the password only with trusted individuals.

Concluding Words

In this guide, we have shared how to make PDF read only and non-editable documents. Using the above methods, you can secure your digital document from data breaches and other potential risk factors. Here, we recommend you choose the SysTools mentioned solution, one of the most powerful and cost-effective solutions among all the tools or techniques. Using this pro software, you can access a view or read only PDF for sharing or other purposes.