How to Unlock PDF Without Password – Online & Secure Ways
PDFs are known for versatility and usability, especially used by professionals, business workers, etc. Another reason to use a PDF document is data protection. Using this document format, users can enable security modes to ensure integrity. Imagine if you forgot PDF password or want to access the protected document immediately. If you don’t have the password, you may find it difficult to access the document. Luckily, this guide has everything regarding how to unlock PDF without password. Here, we will discover online and secure methods for unlocking PDF without open password. So, let’s begin the discussion.
Is It Possible to Unlock a PDF Without the Password?
Yes, using an open document PDF password, you can access them. 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 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:
- Copy: No
- Editing: No
- Page Printing: No
In general, it will show the document is password protected 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 – 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:
1. Use PDF Password Recovery Platforms Online & Free
2. Brute Force Attempt to Unlock PDF Without Using Password
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 tools such as LostMyPass, which effectively work for recovering the document password. If you’ve lost the open password or want legitimate access, this tool is among the best choices. From an intuitive interface to simple features, this platform is used by novice and professional users.
Moreover, the software helps to unlock PDF without using password. It allows professionals to recover both weak or strong open password. Below are the step-by-step instructions for unlocking PDF without open password using online PDF tools:
- To open the free online tool, visit the 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 the lack of features, it is dangerous to users. It can cause damage to your data. In other words, there is the threat of data being misleading and compromising. Now, read the potential drawback.
Why Avoid Online PDF Password Recovery Tools: Online platforms pose a risk to your data, especially if you have confidential data. Moreover, these tools have built-in functions like 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 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 will eat up your hours or days when unlocking PDFs. However, it certainly depends on password complexity. Here are the major types of brute force methods to try for how to access PDF without credentials:
- 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.
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 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.
So these are the best ways to open a PDF file without password. Now, if you get the right open document password, you might be looking for the methods to remove PDF restrictions instantly. So, let’s discover the ways.
How to Unlock PDF Without Password – Try SysTools PDF Unlocking Tool
As we have already discussed, you can’t access the document in the absence of a password. After using the online or brute force techniques, if you get the open document password. Try SysTools PDF Unlock Tool, one of the expert choices for unlocking a document with credentials. Using this advanced software, you can convert password protected PDF to PDF file. The tool is available for Windows or macOS users.
With this cutting-edge tool, you can access PDF without password. Additionally, it helps to delete the document and owner password in batch mode. Besides this, it preserves the PDF elements and formatting during the process. Now, let’s find out the step guidance.
Guide to How to Open Password Protected PDF Without Password
- Open SysTools PDF Unlocking Tool on PC.
- Tab “Add Files” feature to upload the document.
- Under the password, enter the discovered password.
- After this, use the Save > Change button to set the location.
- Lastly, use the Unlock icon to unlock the document.
Concluding Words
In the above guide, we have explained the different methods to unlock PDF without password. Both the online and brute force methods take time. Therefore, ask permission from the document owner to open the PDF file. After guessing the open password, use the SysTools PDF Unlocking solution to access the document without a password. Try the demo version of the software to discover the features.