When you try to editing a PDF file you might receive a message stating that "This is a secured document. Editing is not permitted".
Typically, you can open and read content in the PDF file, but you won’t be able to edit it, copy content from it or print it.
If you’ve forgotten your password or download a PDF file without knowing the password, you may wonder if there’s a way to edit the locked PDF without a password.
There are several possible methods to edit a secured PDF file without a password. However, each of these methods demand some work and persistence.
We list all methods in the following table you can choose the most appropriate way based on your needs.
Solutions | Effectiveness | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cisdem PDF Password Remover | Remove all kinds of PDF security | Need to install program | Simple |
Chrome | Remove edit or copy security without software | PDF must allow printing | Medium |
PDFMaster | Remove edit or copy security | Need to install program | Simple |
Smallpdf | Remove edit or copy security online | Must upload the PDF | Simple |
Cisdem Password Remover
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Free Download macOS 10.13 or later
If this is your first time met a secured PDF and needing to edit it, you may want to find out what it is and why you can’t edit the PDF.
PDF files are widely used for sharing. From a security perspective, users may apply restrictions like opening, editing, copying, printing to PDF files so that no one can add comments, rearranging pages or change the text and image.
A locked PDF may be protected with
PDF open passwords: The entire document can only be opened and viewed after entering the password.
PDF permissions passwords: You can normally open and view the PDF, but other operations like copying content, printing, modifying, and adding comments, are restricted.
Many methods may have restrictions on PDF password type or password strength, how to unlock any PDF password? In this case, you can take a look at Cisdem PDF Password Remover.
Cisdem PDF Password Remover, which available on both macOS and Windows. Can easily remove password security from PDFs, giving you the freedom to edit, copy or print the PDF file without restrictions.
It is the PDF password remover that supports unlock any PDF password including open or permission password. And it can process files in batches.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.13 or later
Now, let’s check how to edit secured PDF files without password with the following steps:
Step 1: Upload locked PDF files
Note: Batch unlocking is supported, you can add as many as 200 PDF files to unlock in a single session.
Step 2: Remove edit security instantly
For PDF with permission password, You just need to add PDF files and click remove to unlock the edit restriction.
It you see a padlock icon and a red lock with settings button appear, then it means that this is an open password protected PDF. Just Clicking the red lock symbol >> Forgot
In the pop up window you give some clue to help this program remove the unknown password from PDF files.
Step 3: Edit the PDF using a PDF editor
Now you can use your PDF editor to make edits to the secured PDF.
You can also edit secured PDF files with web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.
It works like this: Use any web browser to open the PDF file and Print to save it as a PDF, then edit the document in your favorite PDF editor.
If you need a one stop solution that can both remove security and edit a PDF file, consider using Cisdem PDFMaster.
Unlike other software that requires you to convert PDF to word for editing, this program provides a range of PDF editing options like edit PDF text, edit PDF images, add signatures, highlighting PDF, add comments, redact, etc. I explained how to use it in great detail in my tutorial on how to edit a PDF.
Moreover, it is integrated with advanced OCR algorithms that helps you turn scanned PDF to editable and searchable PDF.
If you want to secure your document again after editing, use the protect PDF tool to encrypt your PDF with a password of your choice.
Step 1. Launch PDFMaster
Download and install PDFMaster from the official website or the button below.
Free Download macOS 11 or laterFree Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Earlier than macOS 11, click here
Step 2. Open the Secured PDF
Drag and drop to import the secured PDF. The program will load permission password locked PDF files without need to enter the password.
Step 3. Edit the Secured PDF
After the PDF loaded, switch to the “Edit” tab, there you can edit PDF files the way you need. You can direct change text or images, add text boxes, notes, comments, signatures to the PDF document. Additionally, you can convert the PDF documents to other file formats if needed.
For most people, when they need to edit a locked PDF, they will turn to online tools. Unlike offline PDF unlocker, online site are convenient since you don’t have to install any apps. They are browser based, so it can work on any OS – Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, etc.
However, when using online PDF password removers you must upload the PDF file before its protection removed. Files are uploaded unencrypted, which means that anybody with access to this server can potentially read your PDF.
In our test, Smallpdf is a reliable tool for removing editing protections from PDF. it is very quick and can unlock most PDFs with permission password. However, when the password is strong, you’ll be required to enter the correct password.
That's all about how to edit a secured PDF without a password. Let us make a brief conclusion.
Cisdem PDF Password Remover is the only workable way that can edit open password protected PDF without password.
Chrome is also an effective way, but it requires that the PDF can be opened and allowed for printing.
If you need an PDF editor that supports both unlocking and editing PDF files, PDFMaster is a good choice.
You can also use online sites like SmallPDF to edit secured PDF with ease.
I hope this guide is helpful to you.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7Free Download macOS 10.13 or later
Carolyn has always been passionate about reading and writing, so she joined Cisdem as an editor as soon as she graduated from university. She focuses on writing how-to articles about PDF editing and conversion.
Merri
It is indeed easy and fast to make my secured PDF editable again.
Sam852
YA~~~ I got a protected PDF last week, and I wanted to edit it. Tank you for providing so detailed course for me.