Remove Password from a PDF File

[ADMIN]

PDFs are super easy to share and lock up securely, but a password locked PDF can be a hassle if you want to open the PDF quickly. Maybe you forgot the password? Maybe you want to get rid of the password altogether? BeCyPDFMetaEdit is a free application that works for that. I have used it myself and it works well. This post will explain how to remove a PDF password with BeCyPDFMetaEdit. It is very simple even if you have never used it before. I will also mention some of the features and tips of the application to help you improve your PDF experience.

What is BeCyPDFMetaEdit?

BeCyPDFMetaEdit is free application for Windows to read and edit PDF metadata and security. It is a small, fast and easy to use program, that can also remove passwords from locked up PDFs. You can also edit the author name or fix corrupted broken PDFs files. I like that BeCyPDFMetaEdit works offline, so your private files stay private (no need to upload your files a sketchy online tool). It is a quick and easy way to unlock a PDF without messing up the file.

BeCyPDFMetaEdit has three modes of use: Incremental, Complete Rewrite, and Repair. To remove passwords from locked PDFs, you are going to want use Complete Rewrite. Essentially, this is going to rewrite the file and delete the password from the file. No need to pay for Adobe Acrobat for this. BeCyPDFMetaEdit is a useful program whether you are a beginner or an experienced user.

What is the point of removing a PDF password?

PDFs are a great way to lock up secrets, but sometimes the password just gets in the way. Reasons to consider getting rid of it:

It's irritating: Diddling in the password to open a file each time you want to open a file? That's annoying, especially when you're doing it a lot.

Easier to share: If you're going to send it to someone else (who doesn't need the lock), then the absence of a password makes it easy for everyone and everything!

Editing access: Passwords can prevent you from editing or printing a file. Removing it means you have full access to the file and its information.

Afraid you'll forget the password: Even though you know it now, what happens if you forget it later? This way you don't have to think about that headache.

Just a caution: you have to know the password in order to remove it using BeCyPDFMetaEdit. It will not crack an unknown one. That would be unethical, and possibly illegal.

How to get BeCyPDFMetaEdit to work for you

To get your removal of passwords project started you'll need to have BeCyPDFMetaEdit running on your Windows PC. Here's how I got it going:

Find a trusted download site: I simply searched "BeCyPDFMetaEdit download" and selected a site that looked legit. Stick to the "real" sites or trusted ones to stay away from viruses and crap.

Download the file: The latest version is always a .exe file, likely BeCyPDFMetaEdit.exe. Since the file is small, it will download fairly fast.

Install BeCyPDFMetaEdit: You'll want to find the installer and double click it and follow the instructions. It's pretty speedy, no additional crap like Adobe, and you might need admin rights.

Open BeCyPDFMetaEdit: Once completed, open it from the desktop shortcut or start menu. The "world-class" user interface is nothing special, but it works.

How to delete a PDF password: Step by step

Now you have BeCyPDFMetaEdit on your Windows computer. Let's get going and delete that password. I've tried to break it down to make it practical and easy to remember.

Step 1: open the PDF file

Startup BeCyPDFMetaEdit. You'll see a straightforward screen with a toolbar. To open your password protected PDF:

Click File > Open or the folder icon.

Find the PDF on your computer.

Select it, and click Open. If it is password protected it will request the password. Enter the password and hit OK.

The file loads and you will see information about it such as metadata and just the all around security info. It is actually pretty cool information to view.

Step 2: Select Complete Rewrite Mode.

There are three modes in the tool:

Incremental: saves your changes but does not alter the file's core.

Complete Rewrite: rewrites the complete document, including removing the password.

Repair: repairs broken PDFs but does not deal with passwords at all.

In this situation you want to select Complete Rewrite. When you open the file, it will be designated as a checkbox or dropdown. It gives you the option to give your PDF a total do-over - password and locking and editing features gone.

Step 3: Click on Security Tab.

After your file has uploaded, select the Security tab. This is the area to make your changes to encryption. You will see:

Security System: The type of lock, such as AES 256-bit.

Password Settings: If it has an "Open" password or has password blocks to editing it.

To remove the password:

Change Security System to No Encryption.

You may have to re-enter the password to show it is you.

Remove any additional restrictions, such as blocks on editing or printing.

It is like letting a bike chain loose, everything is free.

Step 4: Save your new free PDF.

Now you need to save the new unlocked PDF:

Click File > or the save icon.

Choose a location, and name the file. I always call it a new name so I don't change the original. For example, "UnlockedMyFile.pdf." Hit Save.

BeCyPDFMetaEdit will create a new PDF file that no longer has a password. Open the PDF to confirm that it says 'unlocked'

Step 5: Check for the success

Open the new PDF:

Try to open it in something like Adobe Reader.

If it opens and does not ask for password, what relief!

Edit it or print it just to confirm that there are not restrictions.

If the PDF is still a locked, go back and make sure that you selected Complete Rewrite and that you turned off the encrypting either using the toggle button or typing the password. I once forgot to turn off the encrypting and had to start over.

Common Snags and Options

BeCyPDFMetaEdit generally works really well, to be honest, sometimes things happen. Here are the options for the issues I have had when using BeCyPDFMetaEdit:

Wrong Password: well, if your password is wrong, then it will not work; double check that you typed it correct as I often mistype mine.

File will not load: sometimes if the PDF is corrupt, BeCyPDFMetaEdit can fix it; try Repair mode, then try removing the password.

Password is still there: if you selected Complete Rewrite, Incremental will not remove the password.

Very Old Windows Problems: BeCyPDFMetaEdit works with Windows XP and up, however, it will not work with very old systems. Upgrade your system if at all possible.

If you cannot find a solution to the problem, restarting the application usually works. Uninstalling and re-installing the BeCyPDFMetaEdit application usually works.

Other fun things BeCyPDFMetaEdit can do

BeCyPDFMetaEdit does not just remove password protection. Here are some other features I found useful:

Change metadata: change the title and author information in the Metadata tab. I mostly used this option when I wanted to rename a PDF I created for a project. You can add keywords or dates, too.

Fancy Viewing: Modify how the PDF opens. Mine goes full screen with all different zooms if I want to show it.

Bookmarks and Pages: Add bookmarks or shuffle page order. This is great if you have a large PDF. I did this to organize a large report.

Fix Broken PDFs: Repair mode once saved a PDF that had been corrupted. It was like magic.

Key Points To Do It Right

This is what I learned to get BeCyPDFMetaEdit to the top:

Back it up. I learned this the hard way when I nearly lost a file. Always save it to a different file!

Know the password(s). None exists and you lose capability with this application.

Always select Complete Rewrite with password(s). You cannot write an incremental here.

Check your new file after saving. Make sure it has all of your material and opens for free.

Explore the other features such as metadata and bookmarks and enjoy the added value with your PDFs.

Is BeCyPDFMetaEdit Safe? Legal?

If downloaded from a good site, it is safe, in my experience. It is 100% offline, so your files are not uploaded anywhere. However, don't unlock PDFs you do not own. This is not the moral thing to do and may create legal issues for yourself. Stay with your own original work.

There Are Other Options Out There

BeCyPDFMetaEdit is a great option but there are also plenty of other ways:

Adobe Acrobat: Super costly but does everything on the list.

PDFUnlock!: Free online but I would not use with sensitive materials.

Chrome Trick: Print to new PDF which sometimes sidesteps password locks but will lose bookmarks.

PDF24: Free on line or off and planned to use. Pretty solid.

My choice is BeCyPDFMetaEdit for work offline and all the extra editing functions available.

What I like Best About BeCyPDFMetaEdit

It is free, does not take up space on your PC, and works offline. I like that it does more than unlock PDFs, it unlocks metadata and other functions. Also, it is super easy to use. If you are not an IT expert-you will be able to figure it out. I think it is a Swiss Army knife for PDFs. You should give it a try!