How to Edit Security Settings on a PDF | Adjust Permissions Step by Step

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Editing PDF security settings requires the owner password or a method like re-saving or printing the file to a new PDF.

Learning how to edit security settings on a PDF starts with knowing what kind of protection the file uses. Some PDFs have an open password (needed just to view the document), while others restrict printing, copying, or editing. Changing those settings is straightforward when you have the right permissions—or a practical workaround if you own the file but lost the password.

What Security Settings Are Commonly Applied?

PDF security comes in two layers: passwords and permission restrictions. The most common settings are listed in the table below, along with what each one does and how you typically change it.

Setting Purpose How to Change It
Open password Requires a password to view the file Remove from Document Properties > Security (needs owner password)
Permissions password (owner password) Controls printing, editing, copying Enter the existing owner password, then modify restrictions
Printing allowed Low / high resolution, or none Set in the security policy or permissions tab
Editing allowed Changing text, images, or pages Enable or disable in the permissions list
Copying allowed Extracting text or images Toggle in the same permissions area
Encryption level 128-bit or 256-bit AES Part of policy creation; choose compatibility level
Digital signature requirement File must be signed to be edited Only changeable if you hold the signing ID

Remember that modifying these settings only takes effect after you save the PDF. If you close the file without saving, the old security stays in place.

The Official Route: Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat (Pro or Standard) gives the most complete control over PDF security. The exact menu path depends on whether you are setting up a new security policy or editing an existing one.

To view current security, open the PDF and go to All tools > Protect a PDF, or click File > Document Properties > Security. The Security tab shows whether an open password is set, and which permissions are restricted. If the file is password‑protected, you will be prompted for the owner password before any changes are allowed.

To change permissions, click Change Permissions in the Security dialog. You can enable or disable printing, editing, and copying. For more advanced workflows, use All tools > Protect a PDF > Manage security policies > New to create a reusable policy. Adobe offers two models: Use passwords (common) or Use public key certificates (for enterprise environments). After setting the options, save the PDF to apply the changes.

If you work on macOS, you can also export security settings through Preferences > Security > Export, optionally encrypting the exported file. Adobe’s official help covers these steps for both Windows and macOS.

Other Desktop Tools: Bluebeam Revu and Win2PDF

Bluebeam Revu 20 handles security through the Document > Security menu or the Security icon on the Navigation Bar. The Security tab displays all current restrictions. To edit them, click Change Permissions and enter the PDF password if required. Bluebeam also lets you save a Document Security Policy for reuse, which you can apply from the Security menu later.

Win2PDF, a virtual printer driver used to create PDFs, includes its own security dialog. When you open a PDF in Win2PDF, click PDF Security… to view the current settings. If the file is encrypted, you will need the master password to make changes. To set permissions on a new PDF, choose an encryption level (128‑bit or 256‑bit AES), then enable or disable printing, editing, and copying. To remove security entirely, set the encryption level to No Encryption. Win2PDF also supports changing security via command line.

Neither Bluebeam nor Win2PDF can bypass a password you don’t know—they honor the owner password requirement just like Acrobat.

Can You Remove Restrictions from a Locked PDF?

If you own the PDF but have forgotten the permissions password, Adobe provides a legitimate workaround: print the file to a new PDF. In Acrobat, choose File > Print, select Adobe PDF as the printer, and save the output. The new PDF will no longer carry the original security restrictions.

This method works because the printing process creates a fresh file. However, it may alter some elements: metadata, fillable form fields, digital signatures, and accessibility features can be lost or changed. Use this only for documents you are authorized to edit, and be aware that the new file is technically a different document.

For encrypted PDFs where you don’t know the open password (the one needed just to open the file), no standard method will work—neither printing nor any desktop tool can open the file without that password. If you’ve genuinely lost it, your only option is to contact the document author.

Which Method Should You Use?

Choose your approach based on what you have access to and what you need to preserve.

  • You know the owner password: Use Adobe Acrobat’s Security dialog or your preferred tool’s equivalent. This is the fastest and safest method, preserving all original content.
  • You own the file but forgot the owner password: Print to a new PDF using the Adobe PDF printer. Accept that forms, signatures, and metadata may not transfer.
  • You need a reusable policy for many PDFs: Use Acrobat’s security policy manager (All tools > Protect a PDF > Manage security policies).
  • You use Bluebeam or Win2PDF regularly: Both applications fully support changing security once the owner password is entered. Follow their product‑specific menus.

No matter which route you take, always save the PDF after making changes, and keep a backup of the original file in case you need to revert.

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