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How to Remove Copy Protection from PDF Files Effortlessly?

  author
Published By Mohit Jha
Tej Pratap Shukla
Approved By Tej Pratap Shukla
Published On March 15th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Do you have a PDF file from which you are unable to copy text or images just because of security? If yes, then you are on the right page. Here, in this blog, we have illustrated different solutions that will let you know how to remove copy protection from PDF files.

copy restriction before and after the methods

PDF protection can be done in two ways: one is by adding passwords & other is by applying the restrictions. Password security is added to prevent the document from being accessed by any unauthorized users. While on the other hand, restrictions are applied to restrict users from copying, printing, editing, and extracting PDF files.

Many times, we read online e-books, manuals, journals, etc. and we want to copy some important data from them. But, while copying the data we find that the file is not giving the respective permissions. Due to these security restrictions, users are unable to copy text from secured PDF document. Therefore, to enable such permissions the user has to unlock secured PDF for copy paste from PDF files. So, go through this write-up & get your query resolved.

Manual Method to Remove Copy Protection from PDF Files

Two traditional approaches can help to copy data from PDFs easily i.e. Google Chrome, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Plus, in the following sections, we will learn them in detail. So, let’s start with the free method.

#Technique 1. Unlock Secured PDF for Copy Paste With Google Chrome

Google Chrome provides the functionality to permanently remove permissions and password from PDF files. With this web browser, you can efficiently unlock copy-protected files for free. Now, follow these simple steps to perform the task:

 Instructions to remove copy protection from PDF:

  • Open the PDF document in Google Chrome (if secured then enter the password).
  • Click on the Print button present at the top right side.
  • Then, click the Change button under the destination & select Save as PDF’ option.
  • Click the Save button & enter the file name & select the destination location of the new PDF.
  • Now, check the permissions of this resultant PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • (For checking the PDF permissions: Go to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC >> Properties >> Security >> Show Details).
Points to be Noted to remove copy protection from PDF:

Although Google Chrome allows users to unlock secured PDF for copy paste for free, it has some limitations. These are as follows:

  • At a time it can remove restrictions from a single document only.
  • Can be used only if the Print option is enabled or working.

If the user has a PDF document containing both the copy and print restrictions then this method can’t be used.

#Technique 2. Unlock Secured PDF for Copy Paste Via Adobe Acrobat Pro

The PDF files were developed by Adobe Sytems, and to remove copy protection from PDF this provides a service known as Adobe Acrobat Pro. Remember, you have to purchase this tool as it is not free to use. After buying its subscription and verifying that you have the required permission password, just open it and follow the steps which are shown below:

  1. Open the PDF file in Adobe.
  2. Right-click on the opened document >> Document properties >> Security.
  3. Select No Security in the Security method.
  4. Enter the password required to change permission.
  5. Finally, save the PDF file to successfully remove copy protection from Adobe Acrobat DC.

Best Smart Solution to Remove Copy Protection from PDF Files

Manually, users can unlock secured files but they must know the drawbacks also. If in case the file has restrictions then the above-described manual technique fails. Therefore, this creates a need for some alternate solution that can work even if the file is print-restricted. 

PCVITA PDF File Restriction Remover Tool is a solution that can remove protection from required files whether it is locked with passwords or watermarks. With the free demo version of the utility, users can remove PDF print restrictions as well as other things like copy, edit, comment, sign, etc. from PDF files. 

This software is a standalone tool that does not require Adobe Acrobat to be installed to remove copy and paste from PDF files. Users do not need a lot of technical knowledge to install and run the app securely. Its user-friendly interface allows users to unlock PDF for printing at once. Thus, even if the PDF has locked both print and copy, this method will still work.

Steps to Unlock Secured PDF for Copy Protection

To  remove copy protection from PDF efficiently follow these outlined steps: 

  • Launch the software on the machine to copy password-protected PDF files.

start the software

  • Add the PDF Files by choosing the Add File(s) option.

Add PDF File

  • Choose the Destination location to save the resultant PDF.

Select destination

  • Click the Unlock PDF button to start the process to copy password protected PDF.

Click on unlock button

  • Additionally, the message “The PDF file has been unlocked” appears. be shown. Click the “OK” button.

remove copy restriction from pdf

Additional Info – Remove Copyright Protection from PDF

Many users use watermarks and digital signatures to protect copyrights. The above-mentioned tool not only unlock secured PDF for copy paste but also removes digital signatures. However, if you are dealing with watermark copyright protection, then make use of methods to remove watermark from PDF file.

So There You Have It

With the help of the step-by-step process explained above users can learn how to remove copy protection from PDF files by using Google Chrome or Adobe Acrobat Pro manually. However, there are some limitations associated with both the conventional methods. Therefore, it is advised to use a trustworthy and simple solution to unlock secured PDF for copy paste effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to remove copy protection with a specified automated tool?

Ans. One can also remove copy protection from Adobe PDF. The process is as follows:

  1. Run the Software on your Windows or Mac system.
  2. Open PDFs using the ‘Add Files” or “Add Folder” options.
  3. Select whether to ‘Save’ or ‘Print’ PDF as you desire.
  4. Click the ‘Unlock’ button.

Q. Is it possible to unlock copy-protected PDF files with printing restrictions as well, using Google Chrome?

Ans. No, Google Chrome does not allow you to remove copy protection from PDF file which also have printing restrictions. If the file is print-restricted then this Google Chrome method fails. Therefore, in such cases use the automated method.

Q. Is there any risk of data loss associated with the above-described tool?

Ans. No, there is no risk of data loss with the above-automated solution and the software works perfectly to unlock secured PDF for copy paste hassle-free.

Q. Apart from copy restrictions, is it possible to remove other restrictions also with the help of the software?

Ans. Yes, of course, the tool not only removes copy and paste protection PDF files but other restrictions like printing, editing, signing, commenting, form filling, etc. The software removes permission password from PDF & enables all permissions.

Q. How to remove copy protection from PDF (Invoices)?

Ans. To unlock copy protected PDF file invoices you can either use a manual solution or an automated method. But, while performing a manual method be sure that the file must not have printing restrictions.