Removing password protection and checking the extraction file permissions

Because Acrobat can’t search password-protected files, you must remove the Password Security from all files in the collection. Acrobat 6 gives you the option of using two different password protections on a PDF document. The Document Open Password restricts the opening of the document, and the Permissions password restricts the ability to print, edit, or make changes to security settings, as defined by the author in the Permissions section of the Password Security - Settings dialog box. To be able to remove Password Security from a PDF document, you not only need to have access to the Document Open password (or you can’t open it) but you also need to have access to the Permissions password (or you can’t get rid of the security permissions). Assuming that you’re armed with both passwords, follow these steps to remove the user password:

1. Launch Acrobat and open the PDF document whose password you want to remove. Acrobat responds by displaying the Password dialog box, in which you must successfully enter the Document Open password.
2. Enter the Document Open password and click OK to open the document.
3. Choose File➪Document Properties; in the Document Properties dialog box, click Security in the list box. The Security options appear.
4. Select No Security from the Security Method drop-down list. Acrobat responds by displaying another Password dialog box, where you must successfully enter the Permissions password.
5. Enter the Permissions password and click OK. Acrobat displays an alert dialog box, asking if you’re sure you want to remove security from the PDF document.
6. Click the OK button to close the alert dialog box, and then click the OK button to close the Document Properties dialog box.
7. Choose File➪Save to save your security changes to the PDF document.