How to Remove PDF Document Restrictions Securely

About PDF Restrictions

Before proceeding to remove restrictions from PDF, let’s first get to know more about them. In short, restrictions on PDF files are measures taken to grant the user control. Some common user and owner restrictions on a PDF are:

• Password protection: A passkey is needed to unlock PDF documents and give access.
• Restrictions on editing or omitting the document to avoid unwanted changes.
• Copy and print restrictions to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
• Restriction to sign or fill the form in the document, so that the user can only preview information.
• Page Extraction restriction that makes the file private and protects crucial data.

Remove PDF Document Restrictions: Know Why?

Sometimes it becomes essential to remove PDF restrictions online to avoid workflow disruption. There are many other major reasons for this, such as:

• Remove the password from the PDF if not needed anymore for seamless access to the data.
• To provide necessary permissions only to legitimate users for keeping PDFs secure.
• For providing collaboration and digital signature authorization to the needful users.
• To modify the PDF document contents and share it with ease across several platforms.

Now, let’s find the best methods for restriction removal in the upcoming section.

Removing PDF Restrictions Manually

We have three ways to unrestrict or decrypt PDFs using free manual methods. These are as follows:

Method 1: Remove PDF Document Restrictions Through Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is the hub of PDF files. It allows for quick removal with a built-in feature. Follow these steps:

1. Start Adobe Acrobat Reader and open your encrypted or restricted PDF.
2. Click File in the window and then, Open to add a protected PDF file.
3. Further, right-click the opened PDF and choose Document Properties.
4. After that, to remove all restrictions, enable No Security in the Security tab.
5. A prompt appears to provide the password, enter it, and click OK.
6. Alternatively, to change a few, click Change Settings in the Security tab.
7. Then, enter the password and click the OK button.
8. Select settings to change, input the password again, and tap OK.
9. Additionally, select the Password Security option from Security to remove the password.
10. Remove the password from the PDF and save the PDF with updated changes.

Method 2: Using Google Chrome

Remove PDF document restrictions by following these steps on the browser:

1. Navigate to your restricted PDF location, select, and right-click it.
2. Choose to Open With >> Google Chrome.
3. Once opened, click Ctrl + P, and in the Print box, choose Save As PDF.
4. Afterward, select other settings (if needed) and press Print.
5. Provide a name for a copy of your PDF and choose a location to save. Finally, click Save.

Note: Removing PDF restrictions by the same approach in Microsoft Edge. Later, opting to print as Microsoft Print to PDF.

Method 3: Remove PDF Restrictions Online

This manual method requires utilizing free online restriction remover tools on the web. You can use it on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer system. It supports all Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.

Shortcomings of the Manual Method

• Users require Adobe Acrobat Reader subscription to fully utilize it.
• Not suitable for very large and bulky PDFs with attachments.
• Very time-consuming and lengthy procedures to completely unrestricted PDFs.
• Privacy risks are high and unavoidable in these free solutions.
• The browser method requires the availability of the Print feature first. In case the Print feature is restricted, the method becomes unuseful.

Thus, it is better to take an expert’s suggestion and use a professional tool.

Automated Tool to Remove PDF Document Restrictions

If you want to avoid all the limitations and unlock PDF, use the SysInfo PDF Restriction Remover Tool. It removes restrictions from bulk PDF files in no time without any limitations on their size. Additionally, this versatile software ensures no data alteration or loss during the process. Moreover, it removes user and owner encryption with 100% accuracy. Some more key features that this excellent tool offers are:

• Removes all copying, printing, editing, commenting, and other restrictions at once.
• Allows to change metadata and other information before unlocking the PDF.
• Remove password from aadhaar card and other PDFs on any Windows or Mac OS.
• Option to unlock as well as apply password protection on the PDF files.
• Maintains data integrity and provides a feature to save PDF attachments separately.

Working Steps to Unlock PDF Without Password

1. Install and run the PDF Restriction Remover Tool on your PC.
2. Click Add Files or Add Folder to upload PDFs from the system.
3. Press Open to add the restricted PDF and afterwards, Next.
4. Click Dest. Path to provide a location to save unlocked PDF and hit Next.
5. Further, select optional features and choose how to unlock the PDF.
6. At last, press the Unlock button to unrestrict your locked PDF.

Isn’t it a more simple solution with few steps?

Conclusion

Many users use PDFs daily for many tasks and restrictions can interrupt the working. So to resolve it, this blog guided 4 major solutions on how to remove PDF document restrictions. Thus, making PDFs easy to access, edit, share, and more. Further, prefer to use a professional tool in place of manual solutions to save time and effort. Also, it is limitation-free and provides guaranteed security for the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.