How To Decrypt PDF Files on Windows/Mac: Easy Solutions
8 September 2023 Senior Product Manager
Summary
Discover effective PDF decryption methods for both Windows and Mac systems. This comprehensive article explores reliable software and online tools to effortlessly open password-protected PDF files.
Table of contents
To ensure data security, we have the option to add password protection to the PDF. There are two types of PDF passwords, one is user password (or document open password), and the other is owner password (or permission password). The user password is the password that needs to be entered when opening the PDF document, which can better protect the content of the document. In addition, when an owner password is added to a PDF document, certain operations (such as printing or editing) will be restricted, and the password will be required to unlock it, but the PDF file can be opened normally.
Common Reasons for Decrypting PDF Files
Reason 1: If the PDF file is encrypted, the file cannot be printed.
Reason 2: If you download an encrypted PDF file from the Internet and don’t know its password, you can only open and use it by cracking it.
Reason 3: In a safe operating environment, you need to enter a password every time you use a PDF, which will affect office efficiency.
Reason 1: If the PDF file is encrypted, the file cannot be printed.
Reason 2: If you download an encrypted PDF file from the Internet and don’t know its password, you can only open and use it by cracking it.
Reason 3: In a safe operating environment, you need to enter a password every time you use a PDF, which will affect office efficiency.
To decrypt PDF, you can use professional PDF decryption/editing software, or PDF online decryption tool to decrypt. The functions of PDF decryption/editing software are relatively powerful and complete, and the decryption speed is relatively fast. The important point is that the security of the decryption software will be higher. Although the online decryptor is easy to use, it also has several disadvantages. One is that the file size is limited; the other is that there are security risks. For confidential PDF files, it is not recommended to upload them to online websites for decryption.
After having a certain understanding of the types and usage of PDF passwords, the following will introduce several PDF decryption software with good reputation among Windows users. Please choose according to your actual needs.
Renee PDF Aide is a professional software that integrates multi-functional PDF toolset and PDF conversion, which can help you quickly decrypt, edit and convert PDF files. The software supports editing functions such as repairing, optimizing, splitting, merging, encrypting, decrypting, adding watermarks, and converting images to PDF. In addition, it also supports multiple conversion formats, you can convert PDF to Word / Excel / PPT / EPUB / TXT / HTML / JPG / PNG / TIFF and other formats.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool 
Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners
Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark
Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms
Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch
Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.
Easy Use with simple steps
Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark
Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms
Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!advantage:
● The interface is simple and simple.
● Support decryption and encryption PDF files, high security.
● You can decrypt multiple PDF files at one time.
● PDF editing has various functions, such as merging, rotation, segmentation, optimization of PDF, etc., which can meet most editing needs.
● PDF can be converted into multiple file formats, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EPUB, Text, HTML, Image, etc.
● The interface is simple and simple.
● Support decryption and encryption PDF files, high security.
● You can decrypt multiple PDF files at one time.
● PDF editing has various functions, such as merging, rotation, segmentation, optimization of PDF, etc., which can meet most editing needs.
● PDF can be converted into multiple file formats, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EPUB, Text, HTML, Image, etc.
shortcoming:
● Mac OS is not supported.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① Download, install and open Renee PDF Aide , click PDF Tools.
② Click Add Files to import one or more PDF files.
③ Click En/Decrypt in the upper menu bar, and then select Decrypt PDF files. Click Edit to enter possible password characters. Finally, choose the file output location and click Convert.
To decrypt PDF files, you can try Adobe Acrobat DC software. Adobe Acrobat DC is an electronic word processing software developed by Adobe, which can be used to decrypt, encrypt, create, edit, export, organize, share or sign PDFs. The software has comprehensive functions and is easy to use when performing various operations. Although Adobe Acrobat DC is one of the best PDF editing software out there, it is not free, and its price will be much higher than other PDF editing software. In addition to being available for Windows, you can also use it on Mac, Android, iPhone and other platforms.
advantage:
● The PDF decryption operation is relatively simple and can be cracked in a few seconds.
● High compatibility can be used on operating systems such as Windows, Mac.
● In addition to decrypting PDF files, it also provides a very comprehensive PDF editing function.
● The PDF decryption operation is relatively simple and can be cracked in a few seconds.
● High compatibility can be used on operating systems such as Windows, Mac.
● In addition to decrypting PDF files, it also provides a very comprehensive PDF editing function.
shortcoming:
● Software purchase price is high.
● You need to know the password to unlock the PDF file.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Install and open the Adobe Acrobat DC software, then open the PDF file in the software, and enter the correct PDF password in the prompt window. Then click (File) > (Properties), click the (Security) tab in the pop-up window to enter the settings. In the pop-up window, click the drop-down box of “Security Method” and select (No Security Settings). Then enter the correct password and click (OK) to remove the PDF password. Finally, click (File) > (Save) to save the changes.
GuaPDF (also known as Guaranteed PDF Decrypter) is a professional PDF password removal/recovery tool that is easy to use and can even be operated without installation. The operation interface of this software is very simple, there are only three menus “File”, “Options” and “Help” in the interface. GuaPDF is primarily used to decrypt PDF documents using owner passwords, but can also be used to decrypt user passwords using 40-bit encryption. In addition, it can also encrypt PDF files with a 256-bit key. GuaPDF software provides Windows, Linux, and MacOS versions, and is compatible with different operating systems.
advantage:
● Can decrypt the PDF document that uses the user password and the owner's password, and the decryption function is powerful.
● Can immediately crack the user password.
● The operation is simple and easy to use.
● Support GPU acceleration for NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards.
● Strong compatibility and suitable for Windows, Linux, MacOS operating systems.
● Can decrypt the PDF document that uses the user password and the owner's password, and the decryption function is powerful.
● Can immediately crack the user password.
● The operation is simple and easy to use.
● Support GPU acceleration for NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards.
● Strong compatibility and suitable for Windows, Linux, MacOS operating systems.
shortcoming:
● Not applicable to large PDFs may not be decrypted.
● Do not decrypt the PDF file in batches.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Download and open the GuaPDF software, click (File) > (Open), and select the PDF file to be decrypted in the local folder. After opening the file, it will be automatically decrypted.
The above content has introduced the PDF decryption software that can be used on Windows in detail, so the following will introduce three PDF decryption software that can be used on Mac computers.
On a Mac computer, you can use the built-in PDF print function of the “Preview” program to remove the password of the PDF file, and Mac users can decrypt the file for free without downloading other software. Preview is a free Mac application that provides easy PDF editing and password removal. If you have no other higher editing needs, I believe the preview program can satisfy you. Since the PDF file is decrypted through the printing function, the text cannot be selected in the generated PDF file. If you need to copy the text, you can only copy the text from the password-protected original document. Of course, you can also use optical character recognition (OCR) software (such as Renee PDF Aide) to perform character recognition on the decrypted PDF and convert it into an editable document format.
advantage:
● easy to use.
● Mac users can use it without downloading.
● easy to use.
● Mac users can use it without downloading.
shortcoming:
● You need to know the password to unlock the PDF password.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Open the protected PDF document in Preview and provide the required password. Click (File) > (Print) to open the Print dialog. Click the “PDF” menu button at the bottom of the print dialog and choose (Save as PDF). In the pop-up storage window, modify the name of the PDF file to be generated, select the storage location, and click the (Save) button in the lower right corner to complete the operation. The newly generated PDF file will have the same content as the original file, but without the password.
iStonsoft PDF Password Remover is a professional PDF decryption software with simple user interface and easy operation. As a professional PDF password cracker, it supports decrypting PDF 1.8 (Acrobat 9.x) files, including 40-bit RC4 decryption, 128-bit RC4 decryption, AES decryption and Adobe Standard 40-bit decryption, Adobe Advanced 128-bit decryption and AES decryption. If your PDF document is encrypted with an owner password and cannot be copied, viewed, edited or printed, you can use this software to quickly unlock it. In addition, if the PDF document is protected by user password, you can also use iStonsoft PDF Password Remover software to decrypt it, but you need to enter the correct password before decryption.
advantage:
● Support batch decryption files, and can decrypt up to 200 PDF files at the same time.
● The interface is simple and easy to use.
● Support the drag and drop operation, import PDF files in a convenient way and quickly decrypt it.
● A spy software, no advertising software and non -virus.
● Support batch decryption files, and can decrypt up to 200 PDF files at the same time.
● The interface is simple and easy to use.
● Support the drag and drop operation, import PDF files in a convenient way and quickly decrypt it.
● A spy software, no advertising software and non -virus.
shortcoming:
● No PDF editing function is provided.
● There are restrictions when using the trial version, and the full version is required to pay.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Install and open iStonsoft PDF Password Remover software, click (Add Files) to add the PDF files to be decrypted. If you have access to the file and want to remove the “open password” for easier reading, just click the (lock icon) next to the PDF file and type the correct password in the pop-up box. Finally, click the (Start) button to decrypt the PDF file, and the decryption will be completed within seconds.
iPubsoft PDF Password Remover is a professional PDF decryption software, which can be used to remove owner password and user password of encrypted PDF. But when cracking the user password, you need to manually enter the correct password to crack it. The user interface of the software is minimalistic and even a novice can easily decrypt files. The iPubsoft PDF Password Remover software supports batch decryption of PDF files without any loss in PDF file quality.
advantage:
● It can easily detect the type of passwords used in PDF documents.
● Fast decryption.
● Support multiple PDF files at the same time.
● The operation interface is simple and simple.
● It can easily detect the type of passwords used in PDF documents.
● Fast decryption.
● Support multiple PDF files at the same time.
● The operation interface is simple and simple.
shortcoming:
● There is no free trial version.
● Only the decryption function, there is no other advanced PDF editing function.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Install and open iPubsoft PDF Password Remover software, click (Add Files) to add the PDF file to be decrypted, then the program will automatically identify the password type. If a “lock icon” appears to the left of the file, it means your PDF is locked by a user password. In this case, you need to click the icon and then enter the correct password to unlock PDF password on Mac. Finally, click the (Start) button to crack PDF file password on Mac.
If you don’t want to download PDF decryption software, then you can also try an online decryption tool to decrypt PDF files. Online tools can be used only on the browser without installation, but there are certain security risks in using online tools, please choose carefully.
Using the Freemypdf online tool can quickly help you remove PDF passwords and unlock restrictions (such as printing, copying text restrictions, etc.). Similar to other online PDF decryption tools, the decryption operation of Freemypdf is also very simple. It should be noted that the size of the uploaded PDF document cannot exceed 400MB. Also, this online decryption tool only works for PDFs that can be opened and read without any third-party plug-ins.
Online decryption link: https://www.freemypdf.com
advantage:
● The operation is simple, and the decryption operation can be completed in two steps.
● The decryption speed is fast.
● The operation is simple, and the decryption operation can be completed in two steps.
● The decryption speed is fast.
shortcoming:
● The uploaded PDF files are limited and cannot exceed 400MB.
● PDF documents encrypted by user password cannot be decrypted.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Open the Freemypdf online link on your browser, click (choose file) to upload the PDF file you want to remove the password from. Then click the (I agree, do it!) button, it will automatically remove the password and download the cracked PDF file.
Online2PDF.com is an easy-to-operate online PDF decryption tool that removes PDF owner password and removes all restrictions on PDF files. If the PDF document uses an owner password (printing/copying/editing is restricted), you can decrypt it without entering the password. But if the user password is used, then you need the correct password to decrypt the PDF document. After decrypting the file, you can also use online tools to edit the PDF file and convert it to other editable formats. It supports converting PDF to formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OpenOffice, and images. It should be noted that the size of a single uploaded PDF document cannot exceed 100MB, and the sum of all files cannot exceed 150MB.
Online decryption link: https://online2pdf.com/#
advantage:
● No need to download, you can decrypt directly on the browser.
● easy to use.
● In addition to unlocking PDF, it also provides the function of editing, merger, and selection of PDF.
● Free use.
● No need to download, you can decrypt directly on the browser.
● easy to use.
● In addition to unlocking PDF, it also provides the function of editing, merger, and selection of PDF.
● Free use.
shortcoming:
● The size of the uploaded file is limited.
● You need to enter the correct password to delete the PDF user password.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Open the online decryption link on the browser, click (Select files) to upload the PDF file to be decrypted. If the file requires a password to open, then you need to click the upper right corner (lock icon) and enter the correct password. Then select (PDF(file format is retained)) in the “convert to” drop-down box below. Finally, click the (Convert) button, and the converted PDF file will be opened or edited without a password.
If the PDF file you want to use is restricted and cannot be copied, printed or edited, then you can use THEPDF.com online decryption tool to solve it. It is a free decryption tool that can be used directly on any browser. With it, you can easily remove the owner password or user password on PDF files, the operation is simple, and the decryption can be completed in just a few steps. In addition to decrypting PDF files, the site also supports converting PDF file formats, merging and splitting PDF files.
Online decryption link: https://www.thepdf.com/unlock-pdf.html
advantage:
● It has a simple user interface.
● The decryption tool is completely free.
● This is an online tool, so it can be used without downloading or installation.
● It has a simple user interface.
● The decryption tool is completely free.
● This is an online tool, so it can be used without downloading or installation.
shortcoming:
● The decryption speed is slow, and sometimes an error prompt appears.
● There are certain privacy leaks uploaded files.
Specific decryption operation introduction: Open the online decryption link on your browser, click the (Select) button, and select the PDF file you want to unlock. After the file is uploaded, click the (Unlock) button, Wait for the file decryption to complete. Once the decryption is complete, you can download the PDF file to your computer.
The above is the introduction of PDF decryption method. If you are using Windows system, you can try to use Renee PDF Aide tool. This tool can not only decrypt PDF, but also has format conversion and other editing functions. Click the button below to download the free trial version of Renee PDF Aide, come and download it!
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