What's a PDF Owner Password? (Change Permissions Password) GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Apps

What Is a PDF Owner Password?

Definition of a PDF owner password & how to unlock a PDF file

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 15, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services A PDF owner password is a password used to set certain document restrictions (more on those below) in PDF files. In Adobe Acrobat, the PDF owner password is called the change permissions password. Depending on the PDF reader or writer you're using, you may also see this referred to as the PDF permissions password, restriction password, or PDF master password.

What Does a PDF Owner Password Do

As of the latest PDF version, document restrictions put in place with an owner password can include the following: PrintingChanging the documentDocument assemblyContent copyingContent copying for accessibilityPage and graphics extractionCommentingFilling of form fieldsSigningCreation of template pages Depending on the PDF writer you're using, a few of which are listed in the next section below, you should be able to allow some restrictions while blocking others. For example, you could disable copying of text and images but enable printing, helpful if you want to distribute a PDF but want to discourage duplicating parts of your proprietary work. It doesn't matter if only some restrictions are in place or if all of them are, you still have to provide to the PDF reader the change permissions password before you're given full, unrestricted access to the document.

How to Set a PDF Owner Password

There are plenty of free programs that support PDF restrictions via configuring a PDF owner password. A few examples include PDF creators like PDF24 Creator and PDFCreator, and other related tools like PDFill Free PDF Tools (via the encrypt/decrypt option), PrimoPDF, and Nitro Pro. Each PDF writer has a different process for doing this in their respective programs but since the ability is provided via the PDF standard, they're all going to be pretty similar in most ways. How to Password Protect a PDF

How Do I Stop Someone From Opening a PDF

In addition to using a PDF owner password to restrict what can be done to an open PDF, you can even prevent someone from opening the PDF at all. That's right—you can actually lock it down so tight that a password is needed to see any of the contents at all. Because an owner password doesn't restrict the opening of the document, you must use a PDF user password to provide "document open" security. Some of the programs we've already talked about will also let you enable a user password to secure a PDF from being opened. FAQ How do I find the owner of a PDF? In Windows 11/10, open File Explorer and locate the PDF file. Right-click on the file and select Properties > Details and look for the Owner field. How can I bypass a PDF password? To remove a password from a PDF, you'll first have to log in and open it. Then select Tools > Protect > Encrypt > Remove Security. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is a PDF File? (And How to Open One) 6 Ways to Work With PDF Files How to Convert Excel Documents to the PDF Format How to Password Protect a PDF How to Insert a PDF Into Word How to Print to PDF How to Stop Adobe Reader From Opening PDFs in the Browser How to Save an Outlook Email as a PDF How to Add Hyperlinks to PDF Files What Is an ASHX File? 10 Best PDF Splitter Tools & Methods How to Save One Page of a PDF XFDF File (What It Is & How to Open One) How to Send a Web Page With the Mac's Email Program The 9 Best Free PDF Editors (October 2022) How to Enable and Disable the Chrome PDF Viewer Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies