Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (or Acrobat Pro)
If the PDF is password-protected, enter the password when prompted
In Acrobat Pro: go to File → Save As
In Save As options, choose a new filename
Select “Remove Security” (or set Security to “None” if shown)
Save the unlocked copy
Open the newly saved PDF to confirm it has no password
If you only have Reader (no Pro features), use “Print” to a new PDF only after unlocking with the password
To create an unprotected copy via printing: File → Print → choose “Microsoft Print to PDF” (Windows) or “Save as PDF” (macOS), then save
If the PDF uses restrictions beyond an open password, ensure you have the correct permissions/password to remove security
If you don’t have the password, do not attempt to bypass it; contact the document owner or administrator to obtain an unprotected version or the password