How to View Locked PDF Document - 3 Best Ways

Sharing highly confidential PDFs unlocks the fear of compromise and leakage. PDF documents are widely used for archiving, storing, and distributing information. Here, the use of password security is crucial to prevent unauthorized access. On the flip side, it acts as a barrier when accessing or viewing the document. Now, if the PDF is secured, you might be seeking ways to view locked PDF documents. In the following guide, we will share the best techniques including online and robust software solutions for viewing or accessing the secured PDFs. 

What are the Types of Locked PDF Documents?

A locked PDF is protected with user and owner passwords. These modes of restrictions are commonly used for securing confidential documents from direct or unauthorized access. Many industries like finance, healthcare, government, and more enable protection to secure data. The mere purpose of these securities is to block unauthorized viewers from viewing or reading the document. Here are the types of locked PDF documents:

• User/ Open Document Password: Sometimes PDFs are protected with a password. It typically means that the document has a password to open or view. Without the correct passkey, you can’t access the PDF document for editing, content copying, and more. 

• Document Restriction: Unlike password protection, document owner control actions like editing, modifying, printing, text copying, and more. This mainly happens due to PDF document restrictions. 

By applying these protections, professionals can safeguard the data. Additionally, it certainly converts the document into a locked PDF at once. Despite the advantages of password protection, locked PDFs cause restrictions and prevent viewers from accessing or opening the PDF document. Now, let’s move down to find the methods for viewing the locked PDF file. 

How to View Locked PDF - Online PDF Tools

For accessing the locked PDF, it is necessary to remove PDF restrictions and password protection. Here comes the need for online PDF tools like iLovePDF, PDF2Go, PDF24 Tools, Smallpdf, etc. Using these online platforms, you can easily disable the password and other restrictions like editing, text copying, printing, and viewing at once. Moreover, these free websites are fast and reliable ways for unlocking the protected view, making it easier to access the data of locked PDF documents. From a simple interface to a handy feature, these solutions are among the go-to choices for everyone. Here is the stepwise guide for how to view password protected PDF online using free PDF websites:

1. Go to online PDF websites like iLovePDF. 

2. “Choose Files” to add the locked documents.

3. Enter the correct passkey > remove protection. 

4. Lastly, tab Unlock key to disable the lock status. 

5. After this, download the document > view the unprotected file. 

Disadvantages: Online tools are handy but increase the potential risk of data loss. Moreover, these platforms are capable of extracting confidential information from documents. Additionally, it can have a bad impact on the formatting or originality of the PDF. Therefore, we won’t recommend online tools for unlocking the restriction for viewing or accessing. 

How to View Password Protected PDF - Adobe Acrobat Tool

If you’re wondering how to view locked PDF files, use Adobe Acrobat Pro software. It is one of the professional and advanced tools for accessing PDFs without restrictions. Using this smart software, you can remove unwanted PDF protections like editing, content copying, viewing, password, and more in batch mode. Moreover, it allows you to disable password protection with no data compromise. 

Most importantly, this tool offers an interactive dashboard and supports all the modes of protection i.e. password or owner security. Additionally, it allows you to safeguard the originality of the document during the process. Here are the step-by-step for how to view locked PDF using Acrobat Tool:

1. Run the Adobe Acrobat Pro tool on your Win & Mac OS. 

2. “File” > Protect > Encrypt option and go to the Security tab. 

3. Under the Security feature, use the No Security option. 

4. After this, type the necessary password > press OK. 

5. Lastly, use the Save button to download the unlocked PDF. 

6. Now, you can view or open the locked PDF document. 

Limitations: Adobe Acrobat tool is a professional software. Unlike online platforms, this is a costly tool mainly based on subscription plans. Individual or mid-small businesses can’t afford this software due to fee structure. Additionally, the interface of the software is equally complicated, preventing users from easily accessing or removing the security. Now, let’s move to discover the best way to view the locked document. 

How to View Locked PDF Files - SysTools PDF Unlocking

To view password protected PDF securely, try SysTools PDF Unlocker, one of the fastest, independent, and trusted software solutions for unlocking the document. This pro tool is designed for Windows or Mac OS including the latest editions. Using this professional software, you can add multiple locked PDFs with ease. Most importantly, the tool supports user and owner passwords allowing viewers to disable all security. 

Using this utility, you can remove document permissions like editing, content viewing, printing, copying, and more. Additionally, this software is capable of removing the robust AES encryption with 100 data accuracy or security. Besides this, you can find the exact formatting or originality of the document. Plus, the software is cost-effective for industries, businesses, and individual professionals. Now, let’s dive in to learn the stepwise guide to viewing password protected PDF documents at once. 

Guide for How to View Password Protected PDF

1. Download the SysTools Strongly Encrypted PDF Password Remover. 

2. Pick “Add Files” and upload all the necessary PDF documents.

3. In Password > enter the correct password > click Save. 

4. Go to Change > find location > press Unlock button. 

Concluding Words

Locking the view in PDF certainly causes a barrier. In the above guide, we have shared 3 effective ways for how to view locked PDF files. Moreover, we have listed online or robust tools for unlocking PDF documents in batch mode. As the online and Acrobat tools have major disadvantages, consider SysTools PDF unlocking utility. This is a reliable and convenient way to access the locked document for viewing. Most importantly, the software has basic to advanced features for unlocking the view restriction with ease. So, download this software and explore the options in the demo edition.