Removing a PDF password you already know
This tool removes the password from a PDF when you can supply that password. It opens the file with PDF.js using your password, then saves a decrypted copy — pages, text and vector graphics are kept as they were, not re-rendered as images.
Open password vs permissions password
| Open (user) password | Permissions (owner) password | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Required to view the document at all | Restricts printing, copying or editing |
| Typical source | Bank statements, payslips, tax documents | Published reports and e-books |
| What you need here | The password | The password if the viewer asks for one |
Why remove a known password
- You store statements in a password manager or encrypted drive and don't want to retype the password every time.
- You need to merge, compress, sign or watermark the file — most tools cannot process encrypted PDFs.
- You are sending the document to your accountant or a portal that rejects protected files.
What this tool will not do
It does not guess, crack or bypass unknown passwords. If you have lost the password, contact the sender — banks and employers can usually reissue the document.
Troubleshooting
- "Incorrect password": passwords are case-sensitive; many banks use a pattern such as part of your name plus date of birth — check the email that came with the statement.
- "Unsupported encryption" or a corrupted-file error: the PDF uses a scheme PDF.js cannot open, or the download was incomplete. Re-download and try again.