Tutorial Thursday
When it comes to PDF documents I’m not really one that likes to read them online. If they’re only about 10 or 15 pages I’ll go ahead and print them out to read later on when I’m away from my computer. However, some people remove the ability to print a PDF when it is created.
I’m against that sort of thing because if I can open and read the PDF, then I should be able to print it for reference later on. When I received a PDF last week that was like this I was determined to find a way to get around it.
Some ways I found included taking a screenshot of the whole document and then printing out the image, but that seemed like way too much work for both me and my printer (printing an image is much more intensive than printing a PDF). Then I found the exact freeware application that I was looking for: PDF Unlocker!
Unfortunately the homepage was removed for this program, but I was still able to find it on Download.com (Download Mirror). It removes 40 or 128–bit passwords from a PDF, including the one preventing you from printing, but you must be able to view the PDF. By that I mean the whole PDF can’t be password protected.
Here is an example document that I created with a screenshot of Google’s homepage. The red boxes show that printing has been disabled and that the document is considered “secure”:
After you get it setup here is what you want to do:
- Download and install PDF Unlocker.
- The installation should have created a shortcut on the desktop that has a key for an icon. Drag your protected PDF onto that icon:
- Now a screen will quickly flash, it doesn’t require any interaction on your part so just wait for the screen to disappear before proceeding:
- There will now be another PDF file in the same location as the protected one, and the only difference is the new one has “_no PW” attached on to the end of the filename. Double click on the new PDF to open it:
- Now enjoy all of the features that had been removed from the document, such as printing and page extraction (a.k.a. copy and paste functionality)!
Even though the process here is listed as being 5 steps, it will really only take a few seconds for you to complete it. This program has removed the burden and hassle of being able to only read certain PDF’s on my computer, so I thought that this was something that I had to share.
Of course, I guess I should say that you are not to use this in any illegal ways…yada yada. You know the drill.
Download the Freeware PDF Unlocker (visit the now deceased homepage of PDF Unlocker)
I use a PDF to HTML converter, that way you can copy & paste text – Although it appears a bit dodgy sometimes.
Get Ghostview and pdfcreator. Open document with Ghostview and print to new pdf with pdf creator. Problem solved.
Very nice, now, do you know of any other PDF tools that will unlock other protected capabilities? For example, some PDF allow you to enter text into form fields while other prevent it. I would rather type than write. Any one know of a way to unlock that capability?
I use Ghostscript / Ghostview for this task all the time. Ghostview is a GUI for the Ghostscript PDF engine. If you open a PDF file in Ghostview, then select Convert… you can save the PDF with no encryption / security and do whatever you want to it. I don’t know how well it works with forms, but I don’t see why you couldn’t do it. When you convert, there is a textbox to add options, which if you know the PDF protocol and the command line switches for security, you can calculate the appropriate number to add security features as you desire (i.e. no forms, printing allowed, but only low res). I believe the homepage for Ghostview / Ghostscript is [cs.wisc.edu]~ghost/.
thanks…
This application might do that as well, because it says that it unlocks various protected aspects of a PDF, so that might be one of them.
Awesome, I’ll have to keep that in mind as well!
Thanks Ryan, it was a great job! I’ve just unlocked a book which has 433 pages without any errors. It is a great program (PDF Unlocker).
My problem is different. I have a pdf file which requires a username and password to open. I have the username and password and I was able to view the pdf file but thats about it. I cant print it, i cant save as, I cant copy and print screen does not work. Anybody please help me print it.
Lance
This trick might still work though, have you tried the PDF unlocker?
If you just want to print the print-protected pdf, try Copistar.
I downloaded this pdf unlocker but had an undesirable outcome. The document I wanted to unlock consisted of 27 pages. Unlocker created new file that only had the first 4 pages… ???
I’m guessing that there was something on the 4th page that it wasn’t able to handle properly. Maybe a complex image or something?
Thanks a lot, it worked. I appreciate it.
Ghostprint/Ghostview solved the problem for me when PDF unlocker wouldn’t work. Thanks for the tip, kiltboy. :mrgreen:
it work! thx
Thanks so much … was a great help
Thanks so much- pdf unlocker worked perfectly and only took 15 seconds to unlock 240 pages.
I am trying to unlock a pdf that was saved to a disk :( I tried the unlocker but it will not send the file back to the disk because it is write protected and I cannot copy the pdf from the disk because it says that it is corrupt if I do. The only thing I am really trying to do is view this file from a usb cd drive and because it thinks it is a copy it wont open. Anyone with ideas I would love to hear them Thanks
:)
If you can’t copy the file from the disk it sounds like you’re having a different problem. Unfortunately I don’t know of any programs that could help with getting the file off of the disk.
Thanks I came to that conclusion to :( I hate giving up on it but cant find any way to get it off. Guess I’ll have to call the company that sent it and complain. Thanks for all the good info though :)
I tried to unlock a PDF that’s 260 pages and nothing happens. I drop it into the unlocker and when I open the new one with no PW, it’s only a blank page…am I doing something wrong?
i am experiencing the same problem. anybody?pls. help.
I am also experiancing the same proble…..
It is absolutely awesome. Thanks a lot for such a good piece of advice. I have tried many ways to print out a PDF file but to no avail until I ran into this site. GREAT !!!!
Thank you
i love the method very easy thank u
Thanks a ton. It works!
WOW.. this is great.. I was looking to print this pdf document which I can view, but it didnt’ allow me. I find it stupid too that when they give everybody access to view it, they should give the option to print as well.
I had to take a membership of around 120 dollars, which I will take eventually.. but ths print option gave me sometime to take the membership.. thanks for ur help.. appreciate it.
this pdf converter doesn’t work for me, someone mentioned ghost view/ ghost script. i went to that site but it is very complicated, i am not sure how to proceed. can someone expert help with some step by step procedure. thanks a lot.
THANK YOU< THANK YOU< THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, works a treat!
Thank you. Nice guide. Information must be free :)
OMG!!! Just made my life 100 times better!!!! Thanks!
Program works like a charm. Keep up the good work!
IT DIDN’T WORK:evil: My pdf file was of 39MB it can’t release the print protected permissions….. :x :x :x
Well, It worked for me.
@ashok: probably your pdf has a strong password.
Thanks very much.
Worked for me very well.
Absolutely wonderful! Thank you very much :D
I was in a bind to print a protected PDF document before an upcoming meeting. I found this site thru Google,downloaded the freeware, and printed the document all in about ten minutes or less. Thank you Ryan! R.C.
didn’t work for me but i think it’s b/c i have a mac. copistar is also only for windows.
is there anything for mac OS? thanks!
My prof protects all his files so you can’t print them. The only way to get the handout is to be in class that day or beg someone to let you photocopy theirs. This freeware program solved my problem in under 10 mins. Muah ha ha, take that prof!
cant download the PDF unlocker..where do I get it? the link in article take sto divshare which asks you to sign up and then nothing there
Try here: [freeware-pdf-unlocker.en.softonic.com]
Boss…great information…hats off you…it works like a magic
thank you so much!
thank you – this really helped me a lot :)
After the unlocker removes the password from my document the new copy is only a blank page!!!
What am I doing wrong? and what other option do i have?!
THANKS A LOT !!! IT REALLY WORKED AND HELPED ME OUT OF TROUBLE.
I’ve tried but it’s not working. My OS is Microsoft vista and version of pdf is Adobe Reader 9
please help,
Thank you so much! This worked great for me!
1) The PDF file i am looking to covert can’t be saved off the web.
what can i do?
I just downloaded it… It worked great… 100 pages in just a few seconds… No need to use other softwares for my opinion… thank you very much who did it…!!!
Nice one its working fine ………………………
It’s weird, my document says “printing: allowed” but it doesn’t print. It asks for an “output file name” Is there anything I can do to go from here and print the pdf? Thanks,
when you hit “ctrl + p”, a dialog box will appear then select your printer name in the top left field to your intended device such as canon pixma ip1980. problem solved -it should.
cybernetnews, awesome.. thanks God for the ideas given to the doer.
wow.thank you so much!!!!
Superb Tool!!
Love this!! Thanks
if you are able to view the doc but its protected for printing, just email it to your gmail account and view it as html in the gmail web interface and then cut and paste all you want
Thanks for advice, but it doesn’t work for big pdfs. Mine is about 6Mb and it google refuses to process it. PDF Unlocker doesn’t work either and I am too stupid to use ghost or too greedy to buy copistar.
Guess I’ll have to find something else.
thank you so much! this was amazing
Thanks a lot. I don’t like reading on computer.
OMG!!…owesome..i took days to solve it coz i really hate reading on computer screen..Thanks a lot…
i agree this is totally awesome!! works like a magic!! (i hate reading long pages on computer screen too!! x_x)
Awesome tip, thank you so much!
EXCELLENT JOB .PDF UNLOCKER WORKS PERFECTLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Hello,
This is a great tip. I thank you so much for your help.
It has helped me save a lot of work.
Thanks a lot again.
Sunil
Thanks. Worked great.
Wow – 90 pages to read a my leisure – thank you!
This worked for me as well, thank you very much!
it didn’t work for me. :(
Thanks man it works perfectly so far I did more than dozen pages. thanks
Thank you, gsview works.
I doesn’t work with the protected epaper if have here :-/
Really really thank you very much its a great tool it worked with me, I promise that i will use it only for legal actions
You did an amazing job finding this software. Saving me money on class material is always a plus.
Worked better than a charm, for 900+ pages, thanks a ton!
To the person who suggested emailing the pdf and printing that way, thank you!!!! Brilliant.
THANKS, THIS SOFTWARE REALLY WORKS, I HAD A PDF FILE THAT I COULD NOT PRINT UNTIL I FOUND THIS…
THANKS
Doesn’t work!!!!!!
Thanx…it was gr8 help…just unlocked a file…was trying to download trial versions of various softwares which unlock pdf files but the free versions only convert first few pages.ur articlle came as gr8 help n rescue.
Cheers!
It is working.Excellent.Thanks a lot.
Thanks! You’ve literally saved my life!
PDF Unlocker didn’t work for me so I downloaded and installed Ghostview and Ghostscript. They work a treat.
pdf unlocker worked wonders on my print protected pdf document of 1000+ pages
:)
Works for me too! Thanks :)
I tested this software in windows 7, but it doesn’t work. No new document is showing up on my desktop.
Now I am testing the ghost script. It seems to be working.. I am waiting for the document to be sent to the printer.. 84% done now and crossing my fingers :)
Installed this on an XP VM, as the installer didn’t run on my Win7x64…. Worked fantastically! 394 page doc in less than a minute!
Can you please update the software for Win7 and x64??
Fantastic tool… so quick and easy!! Works fine on Win7x32… creates new pdf in same folder as original which is very handy.
Works with windows 7.
Dont drag from desktop drag from the file/folder and a copy appears underneath it.
mine is abit trick I got a pdf with password protection for opening how can i open it to change the other rights for printing
Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.
thanks for the quick and easy solution! very helpful :)
Really nice one….
I can’t figure out how to use ghostscript??? please help
Really nice software. thanks alot
Wonderful software, Thanks for the share!!!
thanks alot
it does not work for me when i drag the PDF file onto the icon it does not make another copy.
It didn’t work. An empty PDF was generated via this software. are there any alternative ways to do this.
Wow, excellent Ryan,
I really appreciate your article – helped me heaps!
just 1 blank page.. not work for me
[pdfunlock.com] unlocks files up to 5MB
pdfunlock dose work fantastically. thanks
Ryan, ARE YOU DAFT??
There’s a reason a pdf has password protection on printing or otherwise. I’m a graphic designer who also does contract work for a publisher and it’s done to keep someone from taking MY design, MY publication to someone else and just have it printed. Most likely you’re committing serious copyright violation trying to circumvent that.
Well, there are legit reasons why you may want to do this. If you struggle with the fact that there are ways around this then you have bigger issues. Even without software like this what would stop people from taking screenshots of the document and printing them?
People in your situation generally use watermarks to keep designs from being stolen.
Superb!!! This freeware works amazing :)
Hey Ryan, how would I be able to save a pdf from the internet which I can view but not save, print edit etc. Like all the security options are not allowed.
Please help!
Does not work with Win 7 64 bit. error when installing.
Hi friends,
Interesting blog. PDF unlocker software is an easy-to-use and thus one of the best PDF restriction remover tools that you can easily use to unlock PDF files. Thank you.
Excellent one .. Thanks !!
It doesnt work for me in a windows 7 os, so I tried to install it in a windows xp machine and it works perfectly! 623 pages in less than a minute i think! Thank you very much!:)
Be aware that some people disable the print or copy function in their PDF files to protect copyright. A copyright document infringed innocently by an individual can result in a fine of $30,000 and one infringed intentionally can result in a fine of up to $150,000.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks alot .. it works
Thank you so much!!! I found an interesting article that I wanted to share with an older friend of mine who does not use a computer. I was able to print the file in seconds. Thank you again!
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks a million. You made my day.
I have purchased Nitro Pro (pdf converter) and installed it on my computer. I can use it in any pdf document except that when I go to a protected pdf, it will not show the pdf let alone print it. What is the problem and how to fix it? I use Windows 7 professional.
thank you very much for this helpful info, save me a lot of trouble
wow. Thank you so much for the tip.
Works great ! Gave me so much satisfaction unlocking tht pdf lol :P
Its always nice to learn a few new tricks like these…
Appreciate your effort for making these very clear instructions with pics.
Hi boss i used PDF unlocker it is very good but after downloading my incometax acknowledgment comes with pannumber and date of birth of some person (password)
it is not working with the file After opened it is a blank sheet. so please suggest
My mail : saripallidvkr@gmail.com
Thank you. it’s very helpful :))
Thank you so much!!! I should have seen your post before! It would have save me hours of work!