How to encrypt a PDF and remove encryption

1 min read·24 July 2026

PDF encryption protects sensitive documents. But sometimes you need an unencrypted copy to edit or share. Here you learn how encryption works and how to remove it.

What is PDF encryption?

PDF encryption converts the file contents into unreadable data. Only someone with the correct password can decipher the content. Modern PDFs use AES-128 or AES-256 encryption — the same level as online banking.

Difference between owner and user password

A user password encrypts the entire file. Without this password you cannot open the PDF. An owner password (also called a permissions password) lets the file open but restricts actions such as printing, copying or editing. PDFrust's Unlock tool removes the owner password.

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How do I remove the encryption?

Upload the protected PDF on PDFrust's Unlock page. If the file has a user password, enter it. The tool then removes all restrictions and the password. The decrypted file downloads immediately — everything happens locally in your browser.

Can I also add a password?

PDFrust currently supports removing passwords (unlocking). For adding a new password — something Adobe Acrobat, PDF24 and LibreOffice can do — no separate tool is available yet. To protect a PDF, use one of those programs.