I'm trying to fill out some docs but the supplied pdfs are secure so i can't use foxit's typewriter tools

Is there any way to disable the security?

Best Answer


Assuming it's simply a 'rights' (owner) password that restricts things like editing, printing, and copying (i.e. the password does not need to be entered to open the file) the following will remove the restrictions.

  1. Grab https://github.com/qpdf/qpdf/releases
  2. Unzip/Install and navigate to the bin folder that holds qpdf.exe (or similar for your platform)
  3. Place the PDF you wish to work on in the same folder
  4. Run: qpdf --decrypt InputFile.pdf OutputFile.pdf (use " s if the file name has spaces).
  5. You can do what you want with the outputfile

If your PDF file is user password protected, change step 4 to qpdf --decrypt --password=yourpassword InputFile OutputFile

This won't work with adobe digital editions and may have issues with digitally signed files

Some discussion on the background of these owner password restrictions at https://lwn.net/Articles/335415/ .