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  • How to Edit a Password Protected PDF: The Ultimate Guide

How to Edit a Password Protected PDF: The Ultimate Guide

  • By Lena
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  • Updated on October 14, 2025
Introduction:
Many use passwords to protect PDFs to ensure only authorized users can view or modify important content. If you're wondering how to edit a password protected PDF, this ultimate guide will walk you through the best methods and tools to do it safely and efficiently. So stay tuned for a knowledgeable read.
summary

Part 1. Understanding the Two Types of PDF Passwords

Knowing the type of encryption is crucial before you learn how to edit a password-protected PDF. For instance, PDFs can be protected by two types of passwords: Open Password and Permissions Password.

  • Open Password: This password prevents the user from even opening and viewing the PDF. You cannot access or modify the document without this password.
  • Permissions Password: This password restricts features and actions, such as editing, printing, copying content, and adding comments. There are various permission settings available to restrict specific features. While you can view the document, you can't modify it.

You must understand that the method for editing depends entirely on which type of password is in place. For example, if it’s an Open Password, you can’t access the file without it. However, if it's a Permissions Password, you can't edit PDFs. You’ll need tools to remove editing restrictions.

Part 2. How to Edit a Password Protected PDF

To edit a password-protected PDF, you must first remove the editing restrictions. SwifDoo PDF makes this easy by helping you unlock the file before making any changes.

  • SwifDoo PDF

    Click to Download

  • Clean & Safe

    100%

SwifDoo PDF can quickly protect and remove passwords from a PDF. After removing the password protection from PDF files, you can easily edit the text and images within them. Alternatively, you can perform other PDF-related tasks, such as annotation, conversion, compression, merging/splitting, and more. It offers a comprehensive set of tools to meet all your needs for handling PDFs.

Check the detailed steps to use SwifDoo PDF to enable editing and remove the password.

1. Open Password-Protected PDF

Step 1: Download and open SwifDoo PDF on your computer. 

  • SwifDoo PDF

    Click to Download

  • Clean & Safe

    100%

Open PDF

Step 2: Then, enter the password to open the document and make edits.

Enter Password

Step 3: If you want to remove the password, please go to Protect > Decryption to make it.

Remove

2. Remove Editing Permission

Step 1: Download and launch SwifDoo PDF on your computer. Then, click Open in the start interface. Alternatively, drag your password-protected PDF to open it in SwifDoo PDF.

  • SwifDoo PDF

    Click to Download

  • Clean & Safe

    100%

Step 2: Click Enable Editing and enter the password.

Step 3: Click OK to confirm.

Enable Editing

Part 3. How to Edit a Protected PDF Without Password

Want to know how to edit a password protected PDF without having the password? SwifDoo PDF enables hassle-free removal of restrictions. This allows for smooth unlocking and editing of your files. Alternatively, you can print the document in your browser to edit the PDF content. Here's a glimpse of using both ways.

1. Use SwifDoo PDF

SwifDoo PDF can help you unlock a PDF for editing without a password. Once you have decrypted the PDF content, SwifDoo simplifies editing, annotating, compressing, and other related tasks.

Its Edit feature lets you make changes to the original text, content, and image. You can even customize the font, size, style, and color of the text. Additionally, SwifDoo PDF allows you to resize images within a PDF file.

Find out how to edit a password protected PDF without password quickly with SwifDoo PDF.

Step 1: Download, install, and launch SwifDoo PDF. Open the document.

  • SwifDoo PDF

    Click to Download

  • Clean & Safe

    100%

Step 2: Click the Protect tab in the toolbar. Then, select the Decryption option from the secondary menu.

Step 3: Pick “No, I don’t have a permission password” from the choices. Then hit Next.

Decryption

Step 4: Select the Remove button. SwifDoo will auto-create a copy of the file to remove the password.

Remove

Step 5: The Save As window will now appear. And you can assign a name to the newly created PDF without a password. Then, pick a folder to save your file. And click the Save button.

Now, you can go to Edit and edit the text’s font, colors, size, style, etc. of the PDF content.

2. Use the Print Feature

This is the most popular workaround for users who don't have the permissions password but still need to open and edit the document. However, you must remember that this method flattens the document. For example, it converts all layers, fillable forms, and comments into a static image. Therefore, users should use OCR to recognize text in PDF.

Check out the detailed steps for using the Print feature for editing.

Step 1: Open the password-protected PDF you want to edit in a web browser, such as Chrome or Edge.

Step 2: Press Print or Ctrl + P on your keyboard.

Step 3: Set the printer to 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'Save as PDF'. Then click OK.

Save as PDF

Step 4: Open the newly created PDF with any PDF editing software. Carry out the required changes and save them.

Final Wrap Up

Editing a password-protected PDF doesn't have to be complicated. Whether facing viewing restrictions or full encryption, SwifDoo PDF and the Print features enable you to regain access and edit as needed. Knowing how to edit a password-protected PDF helps you manage your files with greater efficiency and security. Choose a suitable method that suits your needs and stay productive!

FAQs

  • Q:How do I remove password protection from a PDF?
    You can remove PDF encryption by opening the file with apps like SwifDoo PDF or Adobe Acrobat. Apart from this, you can harness the potential of the ‘Print to PDF’ method in your PDF viewer. Alternatively, if needed, you can use reliable online tools like iLovePDF or SmallPDF to unlock the PDF content and access and download the unprotected file.
  • Q:How do I open a password-protected PDF if I forgot the password?
    If you are unable to recall the forgotten password to a PDF, you cannot bypass the security. This prevents you from opening the file because the password is used to decrypt the file's content. To remove the password, you must contact the creator or sender of the document to request the password. Or locate a password manager where you saved it.
  • Q:How do I convert a secure PDF to a regular PDF?
    Several options are available to convert a secured PDF to a regular PDF. We have explained the detailed steps to use SwifDoo PDF to remove any type of encryption. Whether your PDF is protected with an Open Password or a Permission Password, SwifDoo can remove both to unlock the PDF for editing.
  • Q:How to unlock password-protected PDF without Adobe?
    You can use SwifDoo PDF; its Decryption feature can help you enable editing. In addition, multiple online options are available.

Lena has been in the editing industry for 8 years. She is familiar with a variety of products that can make things easier, such as PDF tools, video recording software, iOS location changer, etc. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with users to help them solve problems in their work and life. In her spare time, she likes to play with her cat.

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