PDFelement
PDFelement: PDF Editor, Scanner
Edit, Convert, Annotate PDF
Edit, Annotate PDF
OPEN OPEN
icon of a password-protected pdf

Have you ever encountered a password-protected PDF file you wanted to print but couldn't because you didn't have the password? It can be frustrating when you need to print an important document but can't do so because of security measures.

However, there are ways to print secured PDF files without entering a password.

We've explored several options for you to learn how to print a secured PDF without a password. After going through our list of options, you can successfully use several methods for printing password-protected PDF files.

Top pick: Wondershare PDFelement is the PDF software that can edit, print, and protect PDF files. You can use it to remove password protection from PDF files, and then print the files out.

In this article
  1. What Are Password-Protected Files?
    1. Using PDFelement To Print a Secured PDF
    2. Print a Secured PDF With Wondershare PDF Password Remover
    3. Using a Photo Editor To Print Protected PDF Files
    4. Print PDFs Using Print Screen
    5. Try Google Drive To Print Secured PDF Documents
    6. Using Google Chrome To Print Password-Protected PDFs
    7. Using PDF Viewer To Print Password-Secured PDF Files

What Are Password-Protected Files?

pdf password required for printing

Before we dive into the methods for printing password-protected PDF files, let's briefly discuss what they are. A password-protected file restricts access to its content and requires users to enter a password to open, edit, or print the document. This security measure helps protect sensitive or confidential information from unauthorized access or distribution.

People widely use password-protected PDF files in the workplace because they can safeguard important company data such as financial statements, client lists, or legal contracts. By encrypting those files with passwords, businesses can ensure that only authorized personnel can access the information and reduce the risk of data breaches, theft, or misuse.

Moreover, password-protected PDF files can also help protect individuals' personal information, such as bank statements or medical records, preventing anyone without the passwords from accessing them.

However, there are situations where you'll need to print password-protected PDF files, and that's where our list comes into play.

How to Print Password-Protected PDF Files

pdf file unlocked for printing

We have reviewed some of the best ways to avoid security measures when printing PDF files and made a list of the most valuable. Whether you need it for work or your personal use, you'll find yourself in a situation where you need to go around the security measures to print a PDF document. Now, let's explore several methods for printing password-protected PDF files.

1. Using PDFelement To Print a Secured PDF

PDFelement is a software program that allows you to edit and print PDF files. With PDFelement, you can print a password-protected PDF file without entering a password.

Step1Import a Locked PDF

Open PDFelement on your computer, locate the locked PDF you wish to edit and click the "Open PDF" button on the Home window. Alternatively, drag and drop the PDF into the program's interface window to open it.

open password

Step2Print Secured PDF

In the case of a password-protected PDF, enter the correct open password in order to view it in PDFelement.

persission password

Step3Adjust Print Settings

Once opening the PDF file, select the "Print" option and adjust the settings according to your needs. These include printing with comments or not, color, a range of pages to be printed, orientation, page order, page per sheet and further advanced settings.

print document

It's as easy as that. This method is quick and straightforward and produces high-quality prints.

2. Print a Secured PDF With Wondershare PDF Password Remover

Wondershare Group has another powerful tool to print secured PDF files - Wondershare PDF Password Remover.

Wondershare PDF Password Remover is an efficient tool for any users facing a restrictions-related issue with their document as it can unlock PDF for printing in case one has forgotten their password. It offers free editing, copying and printing capabilities. The user interface of this tool is straightforward and intuitive, requiring no prior knowledge on related matters. As such, it is not limited to experienced users but also serves beginners well.

Step1Import a Password-Protected PDF

Open Wondershare PDF Password Remover on your devise, click the "Add Files…" button in the top left-hand corner, which allows users to import or upload PDF files. The output destination folder can be specified following file selection.

import pdf
Step2Unlock PDF

To remove printing restrictions, ensure all settings are adjusted. Directly click the "Start" button at the bottom right to remove copying, editing and printing restrictions. If a password is required for opening access, select the "Lock" icon and enter the password. Password entry won't be necessary if PDF documents are only protected by permission passwords.

batch conversion
Step3Print the Password-Secured PDF

With the printing restriction is removed, you can now open the PDF with PDFelement to print it directly or with any other PDF reader in order to initiate the printing process.

3. Using a Photo Editor To Print Protected PDF Files

One method for printing a password-protected PDF file is to use a photo editor. This method involves taking a screenshot of each PDF file page and pasting it into a photo editor such as Microsoft Paint. Once you save each page as an image, you can print them like any other photo.

While this method can work, it has some disadvantages. Thus, it can be very time-consuming and may result in lower-quality prints.

4. Print PDFs Using Print Screen

print screen key to print pdf

Another method for printing a password-protected PDF file is to use the print screen function on your computer. This method involves opening the PDF file and pressing the Print Screen button on your keyboard. That will take a screenshot of the entire screen, including the PDF file. You can then paste the screenshot into a photo editor and print it as an image.

This method is quicker than a photo editor, but the print quality might also be low.

5. Try Google Drive To Print Secured PDF Documents

print secured pdf on google drive

Yet another option for printing a password-protected PDF file is to use Google Drive. This method involves uploading the PDF file to Google Drive and opening it in Google Docs.

Once the PDF file is open in Google Docs, go to File and click Print. Google Docs will then prompt you to enter the password. Instead of entering the password, click Cancel. Google Docs will then proceed to print the PDF file without the password.

This method is easy and convenient, but the print quality may be lower than with PDFelement.

6. Using Google Chrome To Print Password-Protected PDFs

Google Chrome is a great tool to print secured PDFs without needing separate software or plugins. This makes it easy for users to securely open, view and then print their PDF documents with a few clicks of the mouse.

Navigate to the required PDF via the file explorer window. Right-click on it and select "Open with" to open it in Google Chrome. If the file is protected with an opening password, you need to enter the password first.

Upon opening, access the printing icon at the top of the screen for a virtual print job. A dialog box will appear allowing one to make desired settings, then choosing "Save as PDF" and clicking "Save".

gogle chrome

7. Using PDF Viewer To Print Password-Secured PDF Files

print secured pdf on adobe

Lastly, you can use a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader or any other to print password-protected PDF files.

To do that, open the PDF file in Adobe Reader, go to File, and click Print. Adobe Reader will then ask you to enter the password. Again, instead of entering the password, click Cancel. Thus, Adobe Reader will print the PDF file without the password.

This method is quick and easy but might sacrifice the print quality.

Conclusion

There are several methods for printing password-protected PDF files. A password-protected document is a file that limits its content access and demands a password before allowing the user to view, edit, or print it.

While all the above methods can work, some are quicker and produce higher-quality prints. Ultimately, deciding which one works best for you is up to you.

After exploring these methods, it's clear that PDFelement is the best option for printing password-protected PDF files without entering a password. It's a reliable and efficient method that produces high-quality prints. Whether you need to print confidential work documents or personal financial statements, PDFelement makes it easy to print secured PDF files without a password.

Audrey Goodwin
Audrey Goodwin Apr 07, 24
Share article:
12 years of talent acquired in the software industry working with large publishers. Public speaker and author of several eBooks on technical writing and editing.