Remove Password: how it works
To remove a PDF's password, open the Remove Password tool, add the file, type the password it asks for when opening, and download an unlocked copy. Decryption runs in your browser with qpdf compiled to WebAssembly, so the file and password never leave your device.
How to use Remove Password
- Open the Remove Password tool and add the password-protected PDF.
- Enter the password you use to open the file.
- Click “Remove password”.
- Download the decrypted PDF — anyone can now open it without a password.
In your browser vs. uploading to a server
Different from Unlock, which only strips printing/copying restrictions: this decrypts a file that needs a password just to open. You must know the password — it does not crack or guess it. Only remove passwords from documents you are authorised to.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Remove Password and Unlock?
- Unlock removes usage restrictions (printing, copying) from a file you can already open. Remove Password decrypts a file that requires a password to open, using the password you supply, and saves a copy that opens freely.
Can it open a PDF if I don't know the password?
- No. This tool decrypts using the password you provide — it does not crack or bypass unknown passwords. Without the correct password the file cannot be opened.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
- No. PDFER runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly and JavaScript. Your files are read into memory on your device, processed locally, and never sent to PDFER or any third party. Closing the tab or leaving the tool erases them from memory.
Is it free, and is there a file-size limit?
- Yes, it is free with no account, no watermarks, and no daily caps. Because processing happens on your own device, the only practical size limit is your device's available memory rather than a server upload quota.
PDFER is a privacy-first PDF toolkit built by Kiril Urbonas. Every tool runs entirely in your browser — see our security model and privacy policy.