Whenever I receive files such as statement of accounts, from the tax authorities or my bank, these files are password protected PDF files which cannot be opened unless the appropriate password is entered. In the forwarding email (i.e., which forwards these PDF files), password to open the PDF file is generally mentioned. I have the habit of saving these PDF files on my laptop in a specific directory/folder. Subsequently, I usually lose track of the forwarding email that contains the password. In view of these reasons, it becomes difficult to open these password protected PDF files if one happens to forget the password. For last about 2-3 years, I have found an easier method to remove the password from these password protected PDF files. Not many people would know that password can be easily removed from the PDF files by using Google Chrome browser. Here is how to do it.
- Open Google Chrome browser.
- Click Ctrl + O keyboard shortcut for opening the “Open” file dialog of the Windows. Select the PDF file which is password protected, and from which you want to remove the password. Click “Open” button to close this file dialog.
- Alternatively (instead of step 2 above), drag the password protected PDF file into your Google Chrome browser to open it.
- The PDF file selected by you will now open in Google Chrome. However, if this PDF file is password protected, you will first be asked to enter the password to open it. Please enter the correct password, and this PDF file will now be opened in Google Chrome.
- Once this PDF file is open in Google Chrome, simply press Ctrl + P keyboard shortcut to print this PDF file using Google Chrome. Alternatively, you can select Print command from the menu at the right top corner of Google Chrome.
- The Print window will appear on screen. Instead of printing this PDF file on a regular printer, select “Save as PDF” option from the Destination for saving this file as PDF. [You may be wondering as to why should you again save this file as PDF, when this file is already in the PDF format. The simple answer is that we want to save this file again as PDF file but without a password. Hence, this method is to be used.]
- Save the PDF file with a new name (using the above Print method) on your laptop in the desired folder.
The PDF file that you just saved is without password. Henceforth, you can open his newly saved PDF file which is without a password. In this way, you can easily remove password from a password protected PDF file with the help of Google Chrome.
Of course, you should always take care of your important files without password and keep these files safely on your computer or elsewhere.
