How to Remove Password from PPT in Mac Easily & Safely?
PowerPoint presentation files usually consist of confidential business data, finance-related information, project plans, academic research, etc. In order to secure these documents, people may use some passwords that limit their opening and editing. However, after the necessity for protecting the file is over, inputting a password becomes rather bothersome. That is why many Mac users wonder how to remove password from PPT in Mac.
In case one remembers the password used, Microsoft PowerPoint allows using a simple solution offered by the program itself. However, in case the user forgets it, the situation will be different since Microsoft claims that the forgotten password cannot be retrieved via PowerPoint.
This guide will describe various ways of removing or recovering your access to a password-protected PPT or PPTX file on Mac.
What Type of PowerPoint Password Do You Have?
Before we delve into how to unlock password from PPT in Mac, let us first determine which type of protection is used. In PowerPoint, a password may be implemented to keep others from opening your presentation and, with compatible settings, a password to limit editing.
The opening password encrypts your presentation and keeps it inaccessible until the right password is provided while the modification password determines whether your presentation can be edited.
That is why you must use the method that is appropriate for your type of password.
#1: Remove the Password Using PowerPoint on Mac
The easiest way would be to use PowerPoint directly, provided that you already have the password handy.
Step 1: Open the Password-Protected Presentation
At first, open the PPT or PPTX file on your Mac machine using Microsoft PowerPoint. If prompted, type the current password.
Make sure you type the password exactly the same way it was typed during the setup process, as PowerPoint passwords are case-sensitive.
Also, read an article on – Ways to Unlock PPT for Editing
Step 2: Access the Password Options
After you open the presentation, click on the File menu and then select either Passwords or the appropriate security option.
This is how Microsoft’s documentation explains how to use File > Passwords feature in PowerPoint on macOS.
Step 3: Disable Password Protection
If there is a password to open the document, uncheck the box requiring you to enter the password to open the presentation. If there is a modification password set up, uncheck the box asking for the same.
Enter the old password in case PowerPoint requests you to enter it.
Step 4: Save the Presentation
Click OK and save your presentation. Reopen the file to make sure PowerPoint no longer requests any password.
This is the best method to use when searching for tips on removing password from PPT in Mac as it makes use of the password management feature of PowerPoint itself without altering any part of the presentation.
#2: Remove a Password Used to Modify the Presentation
At times, the presentation can begin with normal access, but have certain limitations when it comes to modifying the presentation. This means that the file is password-protected to prevent any modifications.
Open the file and supply the modification password in case it is asked for. Access the passwords via the File tab and select the “Password to modify” box and uncheck it.
Make sure to save the file without the password requirements. According to Microsoft, a password to modify the presentation can be deleted by disabling the modification password and saving the presentation.
This is necessary as the process of deleting a modification password differs from that of unlocking the file.
#3: Save an Unprotected Copy
In case the version of PowerPoint you are using allows such options, another way of dealing with the problem may be to save a copy of the file after its successful opening.
To begin the process, you should first open the password protected PPT using the right password. Save it under a new name using Save As. Prior to saving it, make sure you disable the password option in the settings, if there is one.
Then close both files and try opening the saved one. If it opens without the password prompt, you can work with the new file in the future.
It is recommended to keep the original file just in case as long as you make sure all the elements on the slides work fine in the new file.
#4: What to Do If You Forgot the Password
This scenario is further complicated if you need to know how to remove password from PPT in Mac since you have forgotten the password.
Unfortunately, there is no such password recovery option available within PowerPoint. The fact is, Microsoft clearly states that in case you have forgotten the opening password for your presentation. Then there is no way you can recover it and you will not be able to open it using PowerPoint at all.
Thus, you should not simply rename the file or add different extensions thinking that the encryption will somehow get stripped off. You cannot open an encrypted presentation by simply renaming the file.
In order to use any kind of password recovery software, it is advised to first make sure whether the password has been stored somewhere safely.
#5: Use a Password Recovery Utility
However, in the case of truly forgotten passwords without any backup or the original one, special password recovery software might be considered in cases of presentations that you have ownership or access permissions to.
One of the examples is PCVITA Mac PowerPoint Password Remover that provides password recovery features for PPT and PPTX presentations. Its Mac version allows selecting recovery options including Brute Force and Mask Attack, with an ability to set character sets and to use known password parts, if there are any, to limit the possibilities.
Mask attack is quite effective in cases when you have knowledge of some of the characters in the password but are not sure of the whole combination. Brute force method might require checking a large number of combinations in case of no any knowledge of the password.
In that case, the time spent on it will vary considerably.
#6: Check for an Older or Unprotected Copy
Another way to solve the problem of removing a password from PPT in Mac is to search for an old version of the presentation.
There are many places in which you can do this: in backups, in cloud services, in your e-mail, etc. Perhaps you will find an old version that does not have password protection applied to it.
Compare the old file with the new one before making any changes. It is particularly important if the file has been edited many times.
It can save a lot of time in case of a business or academic presentation.
Important Precautions Before Removing a PPT Password
Though removing the password protection makes your presentation easier to access, at the same time, you lose some security aspects. Consider if there is any confidential information in your presentation before removing the password.
Create a backup copy of the presentation, which still has the password protection. Do not upload your confidential PPT files to unfamiliar websites where they will remove the password for you. In case your presentation has any confidential corporate, financial, personal, or proprietary data, find a trustworthy local alternative and learn about the company’s security procedures.
Moreover, check the file you have created after the process. Make sure that all your slides, videos, audio, hyperlinks, charts, fonts, animation, and transitions are working properly.
Which Method Should You Choose?
Different methods are suggested based on your case:
If you remember the password: Take advantage of PowerPoint password settings.
Cannot edit the document even after opening it: Remove the modification password via the password settings.
If you require another version that has no restrictions: Open the document and make an appropriate save after deactivation of protection.
In case you have forgotten the password: See password manager, backups, older versions, or contact the author of the document.
In the absence of the password or backup: Consider using password recovery software for the files you are allowed to work with.
Thus, having learned about the distinctions, it becomes much easier to remove password from PPT in Mac.
Final Thoughts
Remove Password from PPT in Mac is easy when you know the password. This is because Microsoft PowerPoint gives you the freedom to turn off the password feature by using the password settings and saving your presentation without any previous password.
For forgotten passwords, the process will be different. As the PowerPoint application cannot help you retrieve your lost opening password, you should try other options such as checking backups or password managers, previous versions or contacting the creator of the file.
Whatever option you choose, it is always important to keep a copy of the original file and ensure that your presentation is working fine before deleting the protected file.