3 Methods to Convert Secured PDF to Word (Step-by-Step Guide)
Summary :
If you need to edit a password-protected PDF in Word without knowing the password, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through three different methods using various tools to decrypt the PDF and convert it to Word quickly.
Table of Contents
Convert Secured PDF to Word
We’ve all been there – needing access to an important encrypted file but forgetting the password. Dealing with password-protected PDF files can be frustrating, especially when you require edits in Word.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline three ways to crack into PDF files and seamlessly convert them to editable Word documents with ease.
👉To save time, you can directly download the free PDF editor used for unlocking and converting PDFs in this article.
Convert Secured PDF to Word Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a powerful tool that supports decrypting both PDF owner passwords and user passwords, making it a versatile option. However, some advanced features may be restricted for users without a paid subscription. Here are the detailed steps to unlock a PDF and convert it to Word using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:
Step 1. Open the Secured PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro
Launch the Adobe Acrobat Pro application and open your secured PDF file. You will encounter a password prompt.
Password Prompt in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Step 2. Change Security Method Under Document Properties
Navigate to “Files” > “Document Properties” > “Security” > “Security Method”. After this step, you’ll have the ability to edit and copy the secured PDF Text. Optionally, you can copy the text directly from PDF to Word document to bypass the export process.
Update Security Method Through Document Properties
Step 3. Export the PDF File
Once you’ve successfully opened the PDF file, go to the “Export PDF” option.
Select Export PDF Under the Toolbar
Step 4. Save your PDF as a Word Document
Select ‘Export to Word Document.’ Additionally, Adobe Acrobat Pro enables you to convert your PDF to various formats, including spreadsheets, PowerPoint, images, HTML, and more.
Export the PDF to the Preferable Format
Convert Secured PDF to Word Using PDFgear Desktop
While Adobe Acrobat Pro DC offers robust features, PDFgear Desktop is a versatile alternative that doesn’t require a subscription. That being said, PDFgear Desktop allows you to work offline, ensuring your sensitive files stay on your computer. However, when using PDFgear, you need to know the passwords to the encrypted PDFs.
To unlock PDF files and convert them to Word using PDFgear Desktop, follow these steps:
Unlock PDFs with passwords and convert PDFs to Word documents in batch. And there are more features waiting for you to find out.
Step 1. Open PDF File PDFgear Desktop
Launch PDFgear Desktop and open your secured PDF file. PDFgear is a free PDF reader & PDF editor software that supports both Windows and Mac operating systems. Then input the correct password.
Open the PDF File in PDFgear Desktop
Step 2. Remove Password
Navigate to “Tools” > “Remove Password.” After decrypting the PDF file, you can continue to merge or split the PDF file (even combine PDFs with passwords) or copy text to a Word document if necessary.
Select Yes to Remove Password for the PDF File
Step 3. Convert PDF to Word
Export your previously encrypted PDF file to Word. This feature is eligible for both Windows and Mac users. Conversely, you can convert your Word document back to PDF format and add a password if needed.
Go to Convert and Select the PDF to Word
Convert Secured PDF to Word Online
If you prefer not to install additional software on your computer, you can utilize PDFgear’s online PDF unlocker and PDF to Word converter tool for free, without requiring an email address. Here’s how:
Step 1. Use PDF Unlocker Online
Visit the PDFgear Online PDF Unlocker tool which is accessible from web browsers, you can enjoy all the features of PDFgear, just as you would on your computer with software. It saves a copy of your unencrypted PDF.
Navigate to PDFgear Unlocker to Upload Your Secured PDF
Step 2. Convert Decrypted PDF to Word
Convert your now unencrypted PDF to Word at PDFgear Online PDF to Word Converter.
Upload the Unencrypted File to PDFgear Converter
Step 3. Export the Final Format
Export your final Word document once the conversion is complete.
Download the Final Word Document
FAQs
How do I remove a password from a PDF in Word?
Rather than using Microsoft Word directly, you can utilize specialized PDF editing software like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or online tools such as PDFgear, which offer all-in-one features for removing a password from a PDF and converting it to Word.
Can I convert a secured PDF to Word without the password?
Yes, you can try using PDFgear to convert secured PDFs to Word, even if you don’t have the password. However, it generally takes the knowledge of the permission password to remove password protection from a secured PDF using PDF editor software like PDFgear.
Can I directly convert a protected PDF to Word without unlocking it first?
No, you have to unlock it first, and then you can convert it to any other format. This can be done using Adobe Acrobat Pro or PDFgear (either the software or online version).
Takeaway
Now you know that converting and editing a secured PDF file into a Word document is not impossible. Adobe Acrobat Pro offers a straightforward solution for subscribers, while PDFgear Desktop provides a versatile option for all users, including strong or soft encryptions.
Additionally, PDFgear offers an online version that allows you to complete the process without leaving your browser. Don’t let forgotten passwords stop you from editing your important documents.
