How to Change PDF Permissions and Modify PDF Settings

There are times in which advanced security features like applying permissions on a PDF file backfire. Moreover, it prevents ‌users from accessing and editing a PDF so they must know how to change PDF permissions to resume their work. Some user queries that often arise in this sort of situation are:

I received a PDF from my boss, it is a quarterly report that requires some last-minute changes. However, I don’t have adequate permission to edit it. Is there a way out?

My profession is teaching and I recently prepared a PDF for the semester exams. Now that the exams are over I want the share the same PDF as a sample paper but I forgot the password. Can I do something about it?

I am a Mac user and have always been one. Nevertheless, I require a method to modify or outright remove the permissions from some old PDF files. Are there any options that will work on my Apple device?

We have three different techniques that answer the above queries. So let’s begin with the most straightforward approach. 

How to Change PDF Security Settings Professionally

The professional PDF Permission Removing Tool covers all technicalities and modifies any security setting present on a PDF. With a version for both Windows and Mac, any user can make changes to their PDF file with ease. Moreover, it can remove passwords, permissions, and other settings in multiple PDF files simultaneously. 

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For Mac Users:

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Follow the quick steps and change PDF permissions as per your requirements.

Step 1. Download and Open the tool for removing PDF permissions on your machine.

Step 2. On the right side of the dashboard click on the Add Files or Add Folder button.

Step 3. Once the file is visible choose either ‌Save the file or Print a copy directly.

Step 4. Change the location of the saved file if needed then press the Unlock button.

Step 5. The tool will save the PDF at the location & send an alert when the task is complete.

How to Change Permissions Password in PDF Using Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a powerful tool made by the originator of the PDF file itself. It contains a sophisticated set of options to fulfill any PDF-related workload. So obviously you can also remove permissions with it. 

However, if you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Pro on your machine purchasing it for a mundane task might be overkill. Not to mention the subscription is not cheap. Nevertheless, if you already have access to it you can use the steps given below to change permissions in the PDF file.

• Launch Adobe Acrobat, go to File, and press open to browse and select the PDF of your Choice.
• Press the tab named Properties and visit the Security Section
• Press the Change Settings button present within the security methods list.
• Enter the permission password in the given space and press OK.
• Now you are free to make any changes within the Security Settings window. 
• To reset every permission, deactivate both Restrict editing and printing of the document.
• Within the Changes allowed list allow the following permissions:
  • To only allow the filing or signing of forms and restrict the creation of new form fields select the option of filling and signing existing signature fields.
  • To allow changes within the very structure of the PDF such as insertion, deletion, and rotation, select the option None.
  • To allow the copying of data mark the box next to “Enable copying of text, images and other content” option.
• Finally press the OK button and make the changes permanent.

Next, we have an alternative way to deal with the situation.

Using a Browser to Change PDF Permissions

Most browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox have the ability to view PDF files. So you can use them to remove permissions as well. The steps go something like this.

Step 1. Open the PDF in any browser by dragging and dropping the file into the new tab of the browser.

Step 2. Then right-click anywhere in the PDF which will open the context menu. From there select the Save As option.

Step 3. Within the Save As dialog box, type in the location where you want to save the permission-free PDF and click on Save.

Limitations of using this method:

• Attachments and other files may get corrupted.
• Large PDF files may slow down or crash the browser.
• Need to do this for each PDF individually.

Conclusion

Now that we have all the answers for how to change PDF permissions one thing is clear. Both Acrobat and browser-based methods come with some or the other drawbacks. So the only smart choice is to use the professional utility and make their portable file format permission-free.