Do I need Acrobat Pro or will Reader work?

Removing security requires Adobe Acrobat Pro. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader can open and view files but cannot change security settings.

Acrobat is asking for a password to remove security, why?

That means the file has an owner or Document Open password that Acrobat needs to authorize the change. If it is your file and you know the password, enter it. If you do not know it, Acrobat cannot proceed.

Remove PDF Permissions in Adobe Acrobat Pro (Steps)

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the reference implementation for editing PDFs, so if you have a licence it's the most reliable way to strip permission restrictions from a document you own. This walkthrough uses the current Acrobat interface and calls out exactly what happens when a file carries an owner password versus a Document Open password.

Before you start

You need Adobe Acrobat Pro (part of Acrobat DC or a Creative Cloud plan), not the free Acrobat Reader. Reader can display a file but has no ability to change its security settings. Confirm which product you have from Help → About Adobe Acrobat.

Step-by-step: Remove Security

Open the file in Acrobat Pro.
In the right-hand or top toolbar, choose Tools → Protect. If you don't see it, use the search box and type "Protect".
Select Encrypt, then Remove Security. (In some versions the padlock icon in the left pane leads to Permission Details → Security tab → Security Method → No Security.)
If the file has an owner password, Acrobat asks you to confirm removal. If it has a Document Open password, you'll be prompted to enter it, supply the correct one.
Choose OK to confirm that you want to remove security from the document.
Save the file (File → Save, or Save As to keep the original). The saved copy is now unrestricted.

Owner password vs Document Open password

The distinction determines whether the process is instant or blocked:

Owner (permissions) password only: The file opens normally. Acrobat removes the restrictions without needing you to type the owner password in most cases, because you are already viewing the document.
Document Open password: Acrobat cannot decrypt the content without the password. You must know and enter it. Acrobat will not, and cannot, guess it for you.

If you're unclear which type your file uses, our owner vs open password guide and the permissions explainer break it down.

Verifying it worked

After saving, reopen the file and check File → Properties → Security. The Security Method should read "No Security" and every permission (Printing, Content Copying, Document Assembly) should show "Allowed." You can also simply test the actions: try to select text or print.

Don't have Acrobat Pro?

A licence isn't cheap, and you don't need one for a single file. Our guide to removing PDF restrictions for free without Acrobat covers browser-based and offline alternatives, and you can use our in-browser tool for owner-password restrictions on files you own.

How to Remove PDF Permissions in Adobe Acrobat Pro