How to Unlock PDF Without Password in Minutes? Best Ways

Written By Kanishka Vohra

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Modified On January 9th, 2026

Reading Time 1 Minute Reading

PDF security is highly recommended—until it affects your workflow. In many cases, users either forgot PDF password or lost it completely. This may stop you from performing any task, resulting in a work delay. Here, many of you search for how to unlock PDF without password. Luckily, this comprehensive guide provides ethical and professional-grade solutions for unlocking a PDF without knowing the password.

Let’s delve into understanding document security and explore a reliable method for unlocking it while adhering to legal standards and boundaries.

Is It Possible to Unlock a PDF Without the Password?

Yes, you can access the PDF after entering the right user (or open document) password. In the absence of document passwords, it becomes difficult to access and view the PDF file. On the other hand, there are two types of passwords, i.e., known and owner protection passwords.

Depending on the confidentiality, these passwords are used for securing the data from misuse and direct access. On the other hand, the owner has the right to provide a password and unlock PDF without password instantly. Additionally, many of you search for unlocking a PDF without credentials legally. So, explore in the section below.

Unlock PDF Without Password – Is It Legal?

In various instances, unlocking the document is crucial for PDF management. But the question remains the same – can I unlock PDF without a password, or is it legal to unlock a open password without document credentials? It mainly depends on ownership. Moreover, bypassing the protection is unlawful under the DRM or other data security laws or regulations. Here are cases where unprotecting PDF is ethical or legal:

If you’re an owner or creator of a PDF document.
The document creator can share the password with legitimate users for a necessary purpose.
Ask for the PDF password from the owners to perform major actions like updating, modifying, and sharing the data.

When unlocking PDF can be unethical or illegal:

If you’re trying to unlock a PDF without a password or legitimate permissions.
Bypassing or cracking the password using unethical practices.
The attempt to unlock the document by malicious scripts or tools.

Overall, unlocking PDF without password is unlawful. Therefore, take consent from the owner before using the protected document. Now, let’s move to understand how to check the type of PDF document password.

How Does PDF Document Password Protection Work?

Due to file simplicity, the chances are high that anyone can access your data anytime. Here, the PDF password efficiently works and safeguards the content by applying the user or owner password. This way, you can prevent digital document tampering or leakage at once.

Only users with a legitimate password or the owner’s shared password can access or read the content. For others, opening the PDF without authorised permissions is completely illegal. Hence, it is recommended to request the necessary permissions or document credentials to open the file. Additionally, there are two popular modes of PDF security; learn them below:

User or Open PDF Password: The correct PDF password is required to view, modify, and open the document.
Owner Permissions Password: This type of security sets permissions like editing, text copying, printing, and more to ensure secure access.

To open the PDF document, the authorized user’s password plays a crucial role. If you don’t have the right passkey, you must be wondering how to unlock a PDF without password. Let’s find ways to check the protection.

How to Check the Type of PDF Document Password? Quick Guide

Before jumping on the methods to unlock PDF without using password, let’s first review the types of passwords. To check the security, download Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system. It is one of the trusted and advanced tools for reviewing all document access. Now, proceed below and take a look to find out the password of your PDF:

Open the protected PDF on Acrobat Reader.
Look for the File feature from the top menu.
Tab Properties and then select Security.
Under the Security menu, below are the options:

No Security: The document is not secured with a password.
Password Security: PDF is secured with either a known or an owner password.
Document Restriction Summary: It will show the document limitations

In general, it will show document is secured using a strong password. Now, you might be looking for how to unlock PDF file without password, find them below.

How to Unlock PDF Without Password in Seconds?

Firstly, download and start the SysTools PDF Password Recovery Tool on the system.
Click the “Browse” option to upload a file.
Navigate to Recovery Mode technique section, select raido icon of Unknown Password (Brute Force).
Set the length, and finally, press Recover.
Now, copy the password and open your document.

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Watch a Video Tutorial on “Want to Unlock PDF Without a Password?”

How to Unlock PDF Without Password – Best Methods

If you’re searching for how to unlock a PDF without the password, here is the detailed explanation. Undoubtedly, unlocking a document is useful; it adds convenience and flexibility when sharing or accessing the file. It is only possible if you have major permissions or document accessibility.

Remember, you can’t open or unlock a PDF document without a password. Additionally, if attempting unethical methods, it can be illegal or punishable under the law. Below introduced are the best ways on how to unlock PDF file without password:

Use Online PDF Websites for Free
Brute Force Attempt to Unlock PDF Without Using Password
Try Free Web-based PDF Tools
Google Chrome Platform to Unlock PDF Without Entering Password
Open Password Protected PDF Without Password – Using SysTools Pro Software

Now, let’s understand these methods in detail.

#1 How to Unlock a PDF Without the Password – Try Free Online PDF Tools

There are free online PDF password cracking tools that can effectively help you access the document password. If lost the open password or want instant access, this tool is among the best choices. From its intuitive interface to its simple features, this platform is used by both novice and professional users.

Moreover, the software helps to unlock PDF without using password. It allows professionals to recover both weak and strong open passwords. Below are the step-by-step instructions for unlocking PDF without open password using online PDF tools:

To access the free online tool, open your web browser.
Add Files option to upload/browse the required PDFs.
Click on confirm to open the PDF password.
Now, you need to wait till the tool provides the unprotected PDF.

This method might look simple and fast, but unfortunately, it is a time-consuming task. Using this online service, you need to sit for hours just to access the password. Despite its lack of features, it poses a danger to users. It can cause damage to your data. In other words, there is the threat of data being misleading and compromised. Now, read the potential drawback.

Why Avoid Online PDF Document Password Cracking Tools: Online platforms pose a risk to your data, especially if you have confidential data. Moreover, these tools have built-in functions, such as brute force. It further attacks on document integrity and bypasses the protection unethically. Most importantly, the process can take hours to days to unlock PDF without password. Lastly, the pricing of this online platform is quite high so, look for alternative options.

#2 How to Unlock PDF File Without Password – Use Brute Force Technique

Instead of costly online tools, try brute force methods to unlock PDF document without password. It is yet another effective method for accessing the open document password. This is a systematic and well-structured process where document creators use a combination of letters or characters to find the correct keyword.

Remember, this method can consume your hours or even months when unlocking PDFs. However, it certainly depends on password complexity. Here are the techniques you can use to crack or unlock a PDF without a password:

Pure Attack: In the absence of a password format or structure, users can try this technique. Using this method, you can attempt all combinations to discover one correct password.
Dictionary Brute Force: Under this method, users can make a structured list of password combinations, including characters, symbols, and phrases. After this, you can test each password one after another.
Rainbow Table Attack: This kind of pre-computed table reverses the hash function. In the list, users can check combinations of passwords to open the document without a passkey. Remember, in many cases, the hash algorithms become ineffective.
Thunder Table Technique: This is another specialized method to recover the password. It mainly includes the advanced cryptographic technique compared to the Rainbow table. Moreover, the robust algorithms are effective in unlocking PDFs without a password.

In short, a brute force attack is only applicable if you have a certain password combination or format in your mind. On the other hand, it is equally time-consuming and frustrating for users. Hence, users need to spend hours unlocking the PDF without a password.

Major Limitations: To unlock PDF without password, the brute force attack is ineffective. Despite the owners, anyone attempting this method to crack a password can be punished under data protection regulations or standards. Here, users need to pay hefty fines. Hence, try this technique if you’re a legitimate user.

#3 How to Open Password Protected PDF Without Password Online – Try Free Online Tools

If you’re seeking how to unlock PDF without password online, many free PDF tools are available. Remember, the tools are only useful when you have the passkey. Using the above methods, if you crack the PDF password, then online websites can help open the PDF without a password.

Moreover, these free online PDF platforms work with document protection, making it easier to access passwordless. Below are the steps to open locked PDF without password using online tools:

Visit the above-mentioned free PDF tools.
Drag or drop the PDF with the protection.
Now, enter the passkey if you remember > then press the Unlock button.

Important Considerations: These free online PDF tools only work when you have a legitimate passkey. Additionally, uploading confidential documents online can increase the risk of digital threats. So, we won’t recommend professionals to use online websites to open PDF without password.

#4 How to Unlock a PDF Without the Password – Try Google Chrome

If the PDF document is protected with a user or open password, try Google Chrome for unlocking the PDF without password. This is another free method to use when you don’t remember the PDF password. Follow the quick steps on how to unlock PDF file without password using Google Chrome:

Drag and drop the PDF on your desktop > Open With > Chrome.
In the displayed prompt > type the passkey if you remember.
After opening the PDF, look for menu and then, hit Print option.
Under the Print box > Save as PDF > download new unprotected file.

Major Limitation: The Google Chrome method is only useful when you have the correct passkey. If you’re trying to unlock PDF without password, then this technique is ineffective. In this case, you first need to restore the password. After this, you can use this method to access the file without a password.

#5 How to Unlock a PDF Without the Password – Try SysTools Pro Tool (Official)

Since you can’t access the document in the absence of a password. Download the SysTools PDF Pro utility, the right way to unlock PDF file without password. It is among the official and recommended tools for opening protected documents without knowing the password. This software is developed for both Windows and macOS systems, including the latest versions.

Moreover, this powerful and standalone utility is capable to unlock PDF without password credentials. It features robust recovery options, including “Brute force” and “Mask attack”. These techniques are highly useful for cracking the unknown document password. Moreover, you can use brute force to get the password in seconds.

Additionally, if you recall the pattern partially, the software allows you to select the charset. It can crack passwords up to 12 characters, making it the best utility for all. Moreover, this tool preserves both file integrity and privacy. So, use this software to unlock PDF document without password in an ethical manner. Now, let’s walk through the step guide.

Quick Steps to Unlock PDF Document Without Password

Firstly, start the SysTools mentioned utility on your machine.
Navigate to the “Browse” button to open the document.
In the Recovery Mode, tab Unknown Password.
Now, set the password length if you remember.
Finally, click the Recover icon to get the credentials.

So, these are the best ways to open a PDF file without password. Now, if you obtain the correct open document password, you may be looking for methods to remove PDF restrictions instantly. So, let’s discover the ways.

How to Unlock a PDF Without Knowing the Password?

Previously, we explained the automated way to open locked PDF without password. Now, if can’t manage the security, use SysTools PDF Unlocker Software. It is another advanced and trusted utility for accessing passwordless documents. Moreover, the software is compatible with both Windows and macOS machines.

Using this, it can disable user password security all at once. Moreover, it allows you to share the PDF without needing to enter a password. Without any Adobe dependency, you can convert password PDF to normal PDF document. So, use this secure and speedy tool to access the PDF instantly.

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Concluding Words

In the above guide, we have explained the 5 different methods to unlock PDF without password. Both the online and brute force methods take time. Here, using the SysTools Pro software allows you to crack the unknown password instantly. Moreover, it is ethical and reliable way of accessing the document credentials. After this, you can use other advanced tool to strip out the security to share the passwordless document.

FAQs on How to Open PDF Without Password

Q. How to open a PDF file without a password for free?
If you’re looking for how to open password PDF without password online, try free online tools websites. Here, you need to enter the document passkey and get the PDF for free. Remember, unlocking the PDF without a password isn’t possible ethically. Hence, you need to use password cracking tools and then online websites to unlock files.

Q. Can online tools break the PDF document password?
To crack the PDF protection password, you can use the online passkey cracking tools. Moreover, these are reliable platforms for unlocking PDFs without the correct password. However, these tools are subscription-based. Additionally, the success rate is relatively low compared to other solutions.

Q. How to unlock PDF file without password Mac system?
To unlock a PDF without a password, use the SysTools PDF Pro utility on macOS. This is the most powerful and cutting-edge solution to obtain credentials in seconds. Since manual methods can take hours to months, try this automated utility for faster access. Here is the step guide:

Start by downloading the advanced software on your macOS.
Go to Browse to open the secured document.
Now, click “Unknown Password” and provide the length.
Finally, use the Recover feature to access the credentials.