“This File is Protected” – Methods to Open Protected Files
Imagine this: the error message “this file is protected” certainly annoys you. It prevents you from accessing or getting control over your document effortlessly. In this modern era, securing sensitive data has become paramount. However, there are multiple instances where users need to modify the file to update the information. Now, read this guide to fix the error of being unable to open the protected documents. Here, we will share the best way to remove file protection.
What Does the Meaning of “This File is Protected”?
Warning messages like this document file is protected typically mean that you can’t open or access the file due to certain restrictions or security algorithms. Additionally, these files might be secured with password protection to prevent the lurking threat of data breach.
Here are the reasons why unable to open the protected files:
Password Security: Sometimes the files are protected with strong protection like passwords. To ensure that legitimate users can open, view, and edit the document without any challenges.
Read-Only Content Protection: If the document creator applied for read-only protection, it stops users from copying or editing the file. It is yet another reason behind not opening the protected files.
Advanced File Encryption: There are various types of file encryptions including passkey encryption or document protection to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the information or content.
Overall, these are the common reasons for receiving the error of unable to open the protected files. It typically requires correct passkey and legitimate permissions to access the file. Now, let’s dive in to know the types of protected files.
Types of Protected Files and Its Encryption
There are various types of document files either secured with password protection or other necessary file encryption. Here are the common file types that support security and protection:
- Microsoft Developed Files: Microsoft Office is often protected to restrict unwanted modifications. Its products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint create files such as .doc, .xls, .ppt, etc. Moreover, these files can be protected to avoid changes.
- ZIP and RAR Documents: The compressed files like ZIP and RAR can be protected. It helps users to secure the content and archive the document without any data loss or potential risk factor.
- PDF Documents: PDFs are the most versatile and portable file format. It lets users protect sensitive content using the encryption key or other document restrictions to stop actions like editing, printing, and more.
These are the common file types that show errors like this file is protected. Moreover, it prevents users from accessing the information and copying or editing the document. Despite all document types, PDFs contain different levels of restriction to protect the content from any modification.
However, there are various instances where users seek how to open protected file. Now, dive in to learn the methods to fix the inability to access protected documents.
How to Open Protected File – 2 Best Ways
If you’re constantly receiving issues of “this file is protected”. It mainly happens when your document like PDF is secured with two types of protection i.e. user and owner level document prohibition.
The user or password security includes a complex passkey. In the absence of the correct key, you can’t open or access the information with ease. On the other hand, owner or document restriction helps to limit actions like editing, printing, and copying of content. Now, if you want to remove PDF restrictions from document. Here’s how to fix “this document file is protected”:
1. Adobe Acrobat DC to Open Protected File
2. SysTools Protected File Remover Tool
Now, let’s read these methods one after another.
This File is Protected – Use the Acrobat Pro Tool
Struggling with the issue of the document protection mode, it might happen due to file encryption or security. If your document files like PDF are protected, you can use advanced software such as Adobe Acrobat Pro tool. It is a robust and creative software allowing you to protection security without any loss of content. Additionally, this is a professional yet dedicated tool that helps users to clear all kinds of document protection including user or open password security.
Now, read the stepwise guide for how to open protected file:
- Run the Adobe Acrobat tool on your system.
- Click on File > add the protected file.
- Right-click and find the option of Properties.
- Go to Security and tab No Security option.
- After this, enter the required passkey > OK.
This technique is an easy and effective way to fix unable to open the protected document. However, there are a few drawbacks that might cause problems while opening the protected files with ease.
Limitations: Acrobat is not a free solution but comes with major plans. It offers various options like a subscription or one-time investment to opt for this robust tool. Sometimes the error of Adobe Acrobat DC not opening prevents the users from fixing the file protection. So, use this option carefully.
SysTools Protected File Remover Tool to Fix “This File is Protected”
To unprotect your file, try the SysTools PDF Unlocker Tool designed for Windows or Mac OS. It is an advanced and secure software that allows you to fix the issue of “the file is protected”. This tool comes with robust features that let users remove protection like passkey and document creator permissions effortlessly.
Additionally, this tool allows you to remove permissions such as editing, printing, copying, and more. Most importantly, this software has a built-in feature to access the protected files without affecting the PDF elements.
So, download this intuitive and portable software to remove file protection from your document. In this way, you can get right to control the file content and information without any potential risk factor.
Quick Steps to Open Protected Files
- Download the SysTools Protected File Remover.
- Tab Add Files to upload multiple protected files.
- Find the Password button, enter the necessary passkey.
- Select the Save and then, Change option.
- Lastly, use the Unlock button to open the protected file.
Concluding Words
In this guide, we have learned the best ways to fix the “this file is protected” error. Following these methods, you can easily resolve and access your protected documents without any trouble. Additionally, we suggest you use the SysTools solution for fixing the file protection issue, it is the proficient software that allows you to resolve the “this file is protected PDF” error while securing the document elements.