How to Remove PDF Restrictions – 5 Effective Methods

  Tej Pratap Shukla
Written By Tej Pratap Shukla
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On May 2nd, 2025
Reading Time 12 Minutes Reading

PDFs— the great medium for archiving, sharing, accessing, and storing extensive information. This document format is more like a workmate for many professionals or business workers. Due to their simplicity, PDFs get tampered with or misused for data. Here, users imposed major PDF restrictions to limit access. Handing document permissions can be stressful. If the permissions are not needed anymore, you must be searching for how to remove PDF restrictions instantly. Luckily, this guide covers everything, including online or advanced tools like PDF Restriction Remover to disable all document permissions.

What are PDF Restrictions?

PDF restrictions are typically known as owner permissions password. It was first introduced in 1996 with the basic document restrictions like editing, text copying, and printing. Over the period, these PDF file restrictions have become stronger and more advanced. Moreover, it is considered a security measure applied to control the viewer’s actions. Using the permissions, owners can decide what users can and cannot do with the shared PDF document.

There are modes of PDF restrictions that limit the viewer’s actions, like editing, text copying, repurposing, printing, and more. Sometimes, it causes errors like can’t highlight in PDF due to permissions. Additionally, the purpose of document restrictions is to prevent data tampering, misuse, modifications, and unauthorized actions.

Overview of 6 Types of PDF Document Restrictions 

Here are the most common types of restrictions on PDFs controlled by owners:

Editing Restriction: This restriction on documents doesn’t allow users to edit or omit content. In this way, you can’t modify and add unwanted annotations over the text within the PDF document.

Copy Restriction: This is yet another major restriction used by owners to limit copying the content, repurposing, images, and other necessary information. With this, you will only read or analyze the data.

Print Restriction: If this restriction is enabled, you can’t print the PDF document even in low quality. With this, you can view the information without printing or copying the text from the PDF.

Sign or Form Filling Restrictions: Unlike others, this restriction is quite different. Here, users can’t fill in or sign the digital document. Hence, you can only preview the information without performing any modifications.

Page Extraction Permissions: This is an essential restriction enforced by owners to ensure that no one can extract pages from the PDF document. In this way, anyone can secure the document, making it a private file.

Document Assembly  Restrictions: The Owner imposes this permission to prevent document assembly. In this way, viewers can’t assemble pages or make new document.

Overall, these are six different restrictions that can be used over PDF documents. With this, you can prevent unauthorized actions like copying, editing, printing, etc of the PDF file.

How to Remove Restrictions from PDF Document (Windows or Mac OS) in Easy Steps?

  1. Run & Install SysTools PDF Unlocker on PC, i.e., Windows & Mac OS.
  2. To remove PDF restrictions > tab “Add Files or Folder” > upload files.
  3. Click the “Save” radio icon > Change to set the location for the output file.
  4. Lastly, select the Unlock key to remove PDF permissions or restrictions at once.

Why Do We Unrestrict PDFs?

Now, the question is why remove PDF restrictions from the document. Here are the reasons:

  • If the restriction is no longer needed, removing it is the ultimate choice to ensure easy accessibility of PDF content or text.
  • Once you remove PDF document restrictions, legitimate users can easily edit, copy, and print the file, making it an error-free and updated file.
  • The unrestricted PDF document enables users to easily collaborate, allowing them to comment and add digital signatures.
  • If you remove restrictions from PDF, you can easily manage and share a wide range of documents with ease.

Now, you are aware with the benefits of remove restrictions on PDF documents. If you’re wondering how to remove document restrictions in PDF, move down to learn the steps guidance.

How to Remove PDF Restrictions – Best 5 Ways

Here, we reach the section. If you’re seeking how to remove PDF document restrictions, follow the guidance below. By following these techniques, you can unrestrict your PDF files in bulk mode. Moreover, these methods are secure and reliable for removing or changing restrictions from PDF files. Here are the top 5 ways how to remove PDF permissions instantly:

  1. Online PDF Websites to Remove Restrictions from PDF Online
  2. Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool to Change PDF Document Permissions
  3. Google Chrome to Disable PDF Permissions for Free
  4. Try Microsoft Edge to Unrestrict PDF Document
  5. Use SysTools PDF Restrictions Remover – The Powerful Solution

Now, let’s dive into these methods for PDF remove security restrictions to access documents without any challenges.

#1 How to Remove PDF Permissions – Online PDF Websites

To remove PDF restrictions, online PDF websites are a free and fast way to change document permissions. Various online PDF file restriction remover are available for removing restrictions like editing, page printing, content copying, etc. Some of the popular PDF restriction removing platforms are Smallpdf, iLovePDF, PDF24 Tools, PDF2Go, etc. Using these free tools, you can easily disable the permissions in batch mode.

With a simple interface, these online tools are beloved by everyone. Without software installation, signups, and file restrictions, you can delete the modes of document permissions. Below are the steps for how to change PDF document restrictions online using free PDF tools:

  1. Visit free online tools like iLovePDF.
    online pdf restriction remover
  2. Select PDF Files” to add restricted PDFs.
  3. Use the Unlock button to remove permissions on PDF.
  4. Now, download the unrestricted documents at once.
Note to Remember: Free PDF restriction remover isn’t the safe choice for anyone who is handling sensitive information. These online tools are capable of storing data. Moreover, uploading documents online can increase the risk of data tampering or leakage. Additionally, these online platforms can impact PDF formatting or elements. So, look for advanced or offline tools.

#2 How to Remove PDF Document Restrictions – Use Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool

The Adobe Acrobat Pro is premium and professional software designed for modifying or remove permission from PDF file. It lets you edit, print, and most importantly, share PDF documents without any restrictions. In this way, you can make your PDF file accessible, allowing users to add comments, omit, or edit the text at once. Now, follow the stepwise guide for how to remove PDF restrictions using Acrobat Pro:

1. Open the restricted PDF file with Acrobat.
2. Move to File > Open Menu to add the file.
tap on open option
3. Once the file is opened, perform right-click > select Document Properties.
click on document properties
4. If you wish to remove all restrictions from the PDF document, follow the below steps:

  • Move to Security Tab > enable No Security.
    select the no security option
  • Now, you will be asked to enter the passkey > add password > Ok.
  • If you want to change a few restrictions then, here’s how to do it:

5. In the Properties dialog box, tab on the Security option > Change Settings.
click on change settings

  • Now, input the passkey and press OK.
  • After this, users can remove certain restrictions > enter the password again.
  • Lastly, enter the OK button.

6. In this way, you can remove PDF restrictions from any document.

Remember: The services of Acrobat are mainly divided into standard or pro subscription plans. Both plans have different features, especially the Acrobat Pro tool, which comes with robust features. Unfortunately, the monthly subscription plans are costly yet hurt your pocket in the long run. Therefore, we don’t recommend this solution for professionals who have large PDF documents to change the restrictions.

#3 How to Remove Document Restrictions in PDF Using Google Chrome

Google Chrome is another handy way to change restrictions from the PDF document. It lets you unrestrict your PDFs without any data loss or modification to the data. Here’s how to how to change document restrictions in PDF:

  1. Open the restricted PDF > right-click and Open with Chrome.
  2. From the top-right options, tap three dots to open the menu.
  3. Click on Print from the display menu.
  4. From the Print window, tap on Save as PDF and choose Destination.
  5. Lastly, press the Save button to archive your PDF file without restrictions.
Point to Remember: In this method, the “Print” option is a savior. If the owner enabled the print restrictions, you can’t use this solution to save PDFs without any restriction. Additionally, you can’t remove restrictions in bulk mode. So, use this method if you have time for manual labor and efforts.

#4 How to Unrestrict a PDF Document with Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has another way on how to change PDF document restrictions at once. Here is how to do it:

  1. Open the restricted PDF using Microsoft Edge.
  2. Tab on Print icon > select Microsoft Print to PDF.
  3. Lastly, click on Print to save the .pdf file without protection.
Please note: This method needs the Print command. If the print icon is greyed out due to print restrictions, you can’t use this option to access the data without challenges. However, this method is not recommended if you have a large volume of data.

#5 Try SysTools PDF Restriction Remover to Remove PDF Restrictions in Bulk 

To batch remove restrictions from Adobe PDF, use the SysTools Unlock PDF Tool or PDF file restriction remover, one of the best and most advanced PDF restriction remover software. This is a robust and all-in-one tool to remove unwanted restrictions from the document file. Using this proficient solution, you can easily modify Adobe PDF restrictions like printing, copying, page extraction, and even editing.

The core feature of this software includes a dual file option to add a file or folder to change the settings from a PDF document. To install this software, you don’t need to download or take a subscription to Adobe Acrobat software.

Moreover, it is a one-time investment that helps you to edit restrictions from your document. Additionally, this software is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS, download to remove all restrictions of your PDF document.

Simple Steps to Remove PDF Document Restrictions

  1. Download the SysTools PDF Restriction Remover tool.
  2. Tab on Add Files to upload an Adobe PDF file.
    click on add files
  3. Click on the Save button to secure the document.
    select Save option
  4. Move to Change to browse the location of the resultant file.
    click on change button
  5. Lastly, click on Unlock to save the PDF without any restriction.

Comparing the Five Methods for Removing the Restriction from PDF Document

With this out of the way, let us compare the five methods to remove PDF document permissions:

Features  Adobe  Chrome  Edge  SysTools  Online   Tools
Removes all restrictions Yes Yes (Other than Print) Yes (Other than Print) Yes Basic
Requires restricted permissions Yes No No No No
If Print is restricted in the document Works Doesn’t work Doesn’t work Works No
Batch process multiple PDFs No No No Yes Yes
Pricing structure Monthly Subscription Free Free One-time fee Free

Why Choose SysTools PDF Restriction Remover Tool

PDF Restriction Removal Tool: It is a powerful and advanced software specially designed to unlock PDF documents from different types of owner restrictions, making the PDFs free for modification.

Automated and Handy Software: This software is completely handy and portable. It has a simple and intuitive interface. In this way, you can easily use this tool without facing any challenges.

Data Protection and Privacy: The SysTools Pro software has a built-in feature to protect data, ensuring data privacy and security. Moreover, it adheres to all the standards for maintaining the folder structure.

Concluding Words

In this guide, we have shared the 5 different ways to remove PDF restrictions. By following these methods, you can easily disable permissions from the document, making it easy to access and editable at once. Instead of choosing the manual solutions, we recommend you choose SysTools pro solution to securely remove all PDF permissions, gaining full control over the text or content.

Quick FAQs on How to Remove All Restrictions from PDF

Q. How can I remove permissions from a PDF document?
To remove all restrictions from PDF file, use SysTools PDF File Restrictions Remover. The trusted and highly reviewed software solution. This advanced utility is designed for Windows or Mac OS. Using this robust tool, you can disable PDF restrictions (also known as owner permissions) such as text editing, content extraction, or document repurposing instantly. In this way, you can use unrestricted PDF for legitimate purposes like updating information, data, and more. Here are the steps for how to remove PDF permissions:

  1. Run SysTools PDF Permissions Remover on your system.
  2. To upload a file > click the Add Files/ Folder icon.
  3. Use Save and then, Change key > lastly, press Unlock.

Q. How do I access a restricted PDF on Mac?
To change document permissions on Mac, download the SysTools PDF restriction remover Mac tool, one of the top-notch software. The tool is developed for macOS users, allowing them to delete PDF restrictions on Mac. Moreover, this software efficiently works with all Mac editions with 100% data accuracy. Here are the steps to remove the PDF restriction on Mac:

  1. Install SysTools Mac PDF Unlock Tool.
  2. Use Add Files or Folder to upload multiple PDFs.
  3. Pick Save > Change icon for choosing file location.
  4. Lastly, tab Unlock icon for removing PDF restrictions on Mac.
  Tej Pratap Shukla

By Tej Pratap Shukla

A versatile technocrat, always in the search for new and interesting areas related to technology. Works on multiple technical problems faced by users frequently. Provides the user-friendly solutions to deal with numerous technical issues.