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Know-How to Unlock Security Settings on a PDF File – Quick Way to Change PDF Settings

  author
Written By Mohit Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On January 18th, 2024
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Imagine, after reading some PDF files, you find that you can’t copy, edit, or print them. Though you are able to open them without entering any password but, unable to perform the mentioned tasks. You are puzzled by this situation and want to know how to unlock security settings on a PDF file. Don’t worry! We will tell you the best solution to remove PDF security settings.

Apart from copy or print restrictions, there are other restrictions too that are applied to the PDF document. Therefore, to resolve such problems, this blog post will help you with the best PDF security settings removal methods.

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User Query #1 “I have some important agreements in a PDF file format but when I tried to print them, it does not give me the respective permissions. But, I need to print them on an urgent basis. Can anyone tell me how to change PDF security settings? I am looking for a simple and safe solution to which can help me to change PDF security settings.

User Query #2 “Hi experts, I need to make some changes in the software documentation. But, because of security, I am unable to do so can you tell me how to change security settings in PDF. While reviewing some PDF manuals I found some mistakes. So I decided to highlight them with the help of Adobe Reader. But, what I find is that I cannot highlight text in PDF. So can anyone suggest me how to unlock security setting on a PDF file for highlighting.”

Know the Type of the Security Settings on a PDF File

To know the status or type of security settings applied on your PDF document you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for PDF security settings removal. With this easily identify the different types of PDF security i.e. password protected or restricted. Moreover, in the coming section, we are going to know how to remove SECURED status from PDF documents.

For this you need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the PDF and open with Adobe Reader DC

Note: Once the file gets opened you can see the SECURED tag present at the top after the PDF file name.

Step 2. Now, click on the File and select the Properties option
Step 3. A document properties dialogue box will appear
Step 4. From this, select the Security tab and view the Document Restrictions Summary

Note: From here, all the restrictions present in the PDF document are listed. But, to know about password security (i.e. user & owner level) and the encryption level click on the Show Details option.

Step 5. After clicking the Show Details option you can easily view all the Security Settings present in the PDF document.

unlock security setting of pdf

How to Unlock Security Settings on a PDF File Directly?

For the most direct route, you should use a professional or automated solution. So, using SysTools Adobe PDF Unlocker Tool, you can easily perform the process of opening PDF files quickly and safely. Moreover, to perform this task, the tool even provides some built-in functions.

With this utility, one can easily remove PDF security settings. Moreover, after using this utility users can easily perform certain actions like printing, copying PDF text, editing, commenting, document assembly, form filling, page extraction, etc. This advanced application does not require the installation of external software like Adobe Acrobat in order to change security settings in PDF documents.

The demo version of the software can remove print restrictions from PDF document for the first 5 PDF files. But, for the batch process, it is necessary to have either a business or enterprise license for the software. The tool supports different versions of PDF files created by different versions of Adobe Acrobat. Also, it provides the option to keep the original PDF file password in the resultant document after the PDF security settings removal process.

Software Steps to Remove PDF Security Settings Easily

Step 1. Firstly, download and run the software on your local machine

Download the tool

Step 2. Now, insert the PDF files by clicking the Add Files / Add Folder button.

Add PDF File

Step 3. Select the desired “Save” or “Print” option.

save and print option

Step 4. Choose the destination location by clicking the Change button.

Select the destination

Step 5. To remove PDF security settings in file permanently click the “Unlock” button.

change security settings on pdf

Step 6. You can see that the security settings are successfully unlocked PDF File.

unlocked pdf files

Step 7. Now, you can navigate towards the destination location & view the resultant PDF documents.

unlock restricted pdf

The above steps will let you know how to unlock security settings on a PDF file. Whether you are using Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or any other versions.

Conclusion

Security Settings on a PDF document are common nowadays because people want their documents to be protected from others. But, in some situations, it is needed to change security settings in PDF documents which can enable them for printing, editing, or highlighting the important data. Therefore, in this blog, we have discussed how to unlock security settings on a PDF file effortlessly. So, go through the solution and change PDF security settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How can I modify Security settings on a PDF file?

To change PDF security settings you can use Adobe Acrobat Pro. This program allows you to modify the security settings, but the permission password must be known. But the above mentioned tool from SysTools is the most reliable, secure and provides a quick way to change the PDF security settings in just 4 steps.

4 Easy Steps to Unlock Security from PDF Files

  • Step 1. Download the utility on Windows or Mac OS.
  • Step 2. Choose the Add Files tab to load PDF files.
  • Step 3. Click the Change tab and select the location.
  • Step 4. Now click on Start Unlock to begin the process.

Q2. How can I change the security settings of PDF files if the permission password is unknown?

Try the recommended methods to permanently remove PDF security settings.

Q3. With PDF Security Settings can I know the encryption level?

Yes, of course, open the PDF file in Adobe Reader. Click the Padlock icon >> Permission Details >> Security Method >> Show Details >> Encryption level With these steps, the PDF document encryption level can be checked.

Q4. Is it possible to change PDF security settings?

Yes, of course, not only this but you can also convert password protected PDF to normal PDF for editing, printing, commenting, signing, etc.

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft Certified expert known for his cloud migration, cyber security, and digital forensics expertise. He specializes in Microsoft 365, Exchange Server, and Azure AD migration, ensuring seamless transitions for organizations worldwide. His multifaceted role as a meticulous tech writer, diligent researcher, and astute editor underscores his commitment to delivering cutting-edge digital forensics and cloud migration strategies.