How to password protect a PDF for free
In Gold PDF press Password, type a password and save. The saved file is encrypted with AES-256, and anyone opening it needs the password.
How to do it in 3 steps
- Open the PDF. Make any edits first.
- Set a password. Protect → Password → enter it.
- Save. Ctrl+S writes an encrypted PDF; your working copy stays unlocked.
Why Gold PDF
- AES-256 modern encryption.
- Opens locked PDFs — it asks for the password.
- Offline — the password never leaves your PC.
Questions
Can Gold PDF crack a PDF password?
No. It opens a file only when you know the password.
How do I remove a password?
Open the file, choose Password → Remove password, and save.
Gold PDF — the free PDF editor for Windows
Edit text, redact for real, OCR scans, fill forms, sign and protect. Offline, no account, no watermark.
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