PDF Documents can be protected during the creation process to disable specific features that are otherwise available to users accessing them in a PDF reader.
Some options that can be blocked are for example the printing, copying or editing of documents. One way around those restrictions would be to make simple screenshots and print those screenshots if printing is disabled, but it is obviously not always that easy to deal with protections.
This however is not the best way and there is actually a solution that can remove PDF document restrictions easily.
Portable PDF Unlocker is a free software program for Microsoft Windows that can remove restrictions from PDF documents.
The program itself is super easy to use. Simply start it,and drag and drop the restricted PDF document on the program window to unlock it. The process is automated, and should not take longer than a couple of seconds to complete.
The unlocked file is identical in all regards to the original file but without any of the restrictions imposed on the original PDF.
Portable PDF Unlocker creates a copy of the original PDf document in the same folder but does not overwrite the original document. The application is capable of enabling PDF edit, copy and print functions.
The program itself is offered as a 32-bit and 64-bit version that is compatible with all recent versions of Windows.
Alternatives
PDF Unlock is a free online service to remove restrictions and passwords from PDF documents. Please note that you will transfer the PDF document to the service. It is therefore not recommended that you transfer documents with important information to the service.
To use it, simply select browse on the website and select the locked PDF file on the local device. Click on the unlock button afterwards to start the unlocking process. You can then download the PDF document to your local system after the process completes.
ThePDF PDF Unlock is an alternative that works exactly in the same way. Make sure you uncheck the “I agree to share this PDF to the public and I’m the owner of the document” before you start the process.
Closing Words
The programs and online services unlock PDF documents for free. The majority of services and programs out there are not free on the other hand.