How to Unsecure a Secure PDF File

Easiest and most simple way

1. Upload the files to Google Docs, selecting the 'Convert text from PDF or image files to Google Docs documents' option.
2. Google Docs will now extract all the text of the pdf file and in to a Google Docs one.
3. Now all you need to do is correct any formatting changes.
4. PDF size is limited by Google Docs to 2 MB

Another simple way

1. Download the latest version of Foxit Reader and CutePDF Writer.
2. Open the secured PDF file that you own or that you created with Foxit Reader.
3. Print the secured PDF file to CutePDF Writer and save the printed file to your computer as a new PDF file.
4. Open it and its now unsecured.

Unsecure a Secure PDF File as the Owner or Creator

1. Open the secured PDF file that you own or that you created within Adobe Acrobat.
2. Click the Secure button in the Tasks toolbar. It is easily identified by the padlock icon.
3. Choose the Remove Security option if you want to completely unsecure the PDF file. If you previously assigned a Permissions Password to the secure PDF file, you will have to enter it at this time to complete the process.
4. Change encryption settings instead of completely unsecuring the PDF file by choosing the Show Security Properties menu item under the secure button, rather than choosing the Remove Security option.
• Encrypt different document contents or change the encryption algorithm, if you desire, and then hit next.
• Check a recipient’s trusted identity, change a recipient’s permissions or remove recipients if you want to alter these items, and then click next.
• Click Finish and OK to save your changes and close the document properties window. Save the PDF file to implement the changes you have made.

Unsecure Another’s Secure PDF File using Gimp

1. Download the Gimp, Evince or any other gnu pdf viewer.
2. Import the PDF document.
3. Save or Print to PDF (There are plenty of free print to pdf solutions out there)

Unsecure another’s Secure PDF File

1. Boot into Ubuntu Linux to access a workaround that allows you to “unlock” secured PDF files. This method only works if you are actually running Linux, but it has the benefit of being free.
2. Startup Ubuntu’s default document viewer, Evince.
3. Open the secured PDF file from within Evince.
4. Select File and then select Print from the menu.
5. Choose Print to File from the printer selection screen, and type in a new name for the document.
6. Click Print. You now have a copy of the original PDF file sans security.

Unsecure Another’s Secure PDF File using Microsoft XPS Viewer

1. Open the file and print it with the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
2. Open the newly created XPS file with Microsoft XPS Viewer.
3. Print the file using a PDF printer (such as Adobe PDF).
4. You now have a copy of the original PDF file, but unsecured.