How to Remove PDF Owner Password? Stepwise Guide

PDF files have become a standard for safe and secure document sharing. In order to make the content inaccessible, the PDF makers mostly use restrictions like no printing, copying, editing, or annotating the file and the control of these restrictions is done through a PDF Owner Password. The PDF owner password often annoys users when working document. Here, you might seek how to remove PDF owner password instantly.  So, let’s dive into discovering the steps for removing the owner password. 

Understanding of PDF Owner Protection or Permissions 

A PDF Owner Password (often referred to as a permissions password) serves to limit actions on a PDF file. A user password is required to open the document, whereas an owner password allows immediate access but restricts the user's actions. Below are the types of owner permissions: 

• Printing prevented

• Text copying or extraction blocked

• Content changing limited

• Adding notes or commenting is not allowed

If you are able to access the PDF but are unable to perform any of the actions mentioned above, the document is most likely secured by an owner password. Overall, these are modes of PDF owner security to control the viewer's actions. Now, let’s move down to discover whether the PDF is protected with an owner password or not. 

How to Check PDF Owner Permissions or Security?

PDF files usually come with some kind of security restrictions that limit users' actions—mostly, printing, copying or editing, depending on the kind of restriction. PDF owner permissions play a key role in handling these restrictions. Before discovering the methods to remove the owner permissions, let’s first check whether the PDF protected with owner permissions or not:

1. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro to open your PDF.

2. Select the menu File > Properties option. 

3. Switch to the Security tab

4. Check the Document Restrictions Summary, and check: 

• Printing: Permitted / Prohibited

• Copying text or images: Permitted / Prohibited

• Editing: Permitted / Prohibited

• Commenting & form-filling permissions

In case restrictions are listed and yet the document can be opened without password prompt, it means the PDF is secured with an owner password.

Why Remove PDF Owner Permissions or Password?

Before jumping into the methods, let’s explore the common reasons for removing a PDF owner password. Removing the security offers several benefits, especially allowing professionals to access or share the PDF document without asking from creators. Here are the reasons to remove PDF owner security: 

• You got a PDF from a customer or coworker and it is necessary to change it

• You cannot remember the owner password for your own file

• You aim to use a piece of content from a previous non-editable PDF

• You want to have a physical copy of the document for offline reading

• You desire to have the alignment of a PDF without restrictions

Unblocking the owner password means that one has full access and the PDF functions normally again. Now, let’s walk through the methods to remove owner password from PDF document. 

How to Remove Owner Password from PDF Using Adobe Acrobat?

If you’re wondering how to remove PDF owner password​, use the Adobe Acrobat Pro software. It is among the secure and trusted tools for removing all kinds of PDF security. Whether you’re a business professional or an individual user, the tool allows you to remove the necessary protection from the PDF document. In other words, you can remove PDF permissions or owner password restrictions, such as editing, content copying, printing, and more. 

Moreover, it provides you with complete access to a PDF document without delay. Additionally, the software meets data protection standards. Here are the common steps to remove owner password from PDF files using Acrobat:

1. Firstly, download the Adobe Acrobat Pro software on your PC. 

2. Navigate to File and look for the Tool > tab Encrypt. 

3. Look for 'No Security' under the Security drop-down. 

4. Now, download the unprotected PDF document. 

5. Finally, share the PDF file without the owner's password. 

Adobe Acrobat is a professional software for individuals. Many users can’t find it useful due to the high cost. Moreover, it is a premium tool that requires a subscription. Besides this, the issue of Adobe Acrobat not responding prevents users from accessing the software effortlessly. So, look for the other alternatives for removing owner password. 

How to Remove PDF Owner Password - Try SysTools PDF Pro Tool 

To remove owner password from PDF, use SysTools PDF Password Remover. The tool is compatible with both Windows and macOS. Using this professional-grade tool, users can effortlessly remove the owner's password without data loss or formatting. Compared to Adobe, this is a secure and cost-effective utility for everyone. Besides this, the tool allows you to remove permissions like editing, content copying, printing, and more. 

In other words, this is a comprehensive utility for removing all PDF owner security without compromising file integrity. Moreover, it offers simple features and a smart dashboard for removing the owner's security. Now, follow the steps to remove owner permissions from PDF using SysTools software: 

1. Firstly, download the SysTools PDF Pro utility on your machine. 

2. “Add Files or Folders” for accessing the PDF files in the dashboard. 

3. Move to Save and then look for Change to set the resultant file. 

4. Finally, use the Unlock feature to remove the owner password. 

Final Words

In the above guide, we have listed how to remove PDF owner password​. Using these methods, you can remove the owner password protection from PDF files. SysTools recommended software is the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat. Therefore, use the tool to remove PDF owner protection.