How to Unprotect a Word Document: Uncover All Effective Methods

Part 1. How to Unprotect a Word Document Using MS Word

Moving towards the solution, opting for MS Word is the best option when you want to learn how to unprotect a Word doc. This section will show simple steps you can follow using Word, whether you know the password or not:

Way 1. Remove Editing Restrictions with Known Password

When you have the correct password, you can remove editing limits directly in Microsoft Word. Notably, it works well for documents where editing is blocked, but the password is available. Hence, follow the quick steps below to learn how to unprotect a Word file by removing restrictions through the password:

Step 1 Access Word Restrict Editing Settings

To initiate, launch the protected document in the "Word" app and navigate to the "Review" tab. After that, click the "Protect" drop-down feature and opt for the "Restrict Editing" option.

Step 2 Click Stop Protection Button

Upon seeing a new pane on your screen, press the "Stop Protection" button.

Step 3 Enter Password and Confirm

Following that, enter the password in the upcoming dialogue box and hit the "OK" button to unprotect the file.

Way 2. Remove Open Password

If your file asks for a password before it even opens, this method helps remove it from the Info tab. It's useful when you know the password and want to unlock the file permanently through Encrypt with Password option. Hence, go through the steps below to understand how to unprotect document in Word when access is blocked at the start:

Step 1 Go to File Tab

Open the protected Word document and head to the "File" menu.

Step 2 Choose Encrypt With Password Option

Going ahead, navigate to the "Info" tab and click the "Protected Document" drop-down to choose the "Encrypt With Password" option.

Step 3 Remove Password and Confirm

When you access its dialogue box, remove the password and press the "OK" button.

Pro Tip. How to Unprotect a Word Document Without a Password: Dr.Fone - DocPassRemover

When you've lost or forgotten the password, you cannot open the file or enable restrictions by using the above two methods. In such cases, Dr.Fone - DocPassRemover offers a smart and secure way to unprotect Word documents without a password. This tool can unlock even complex file protection without damaging your content or changing its layout. It uses advanced methods like Brute Force Decryption to break through different types of password protection.

The program tries every possible combination using a smart engine that can run 680,000 attempts per second. Plus, it supports passwords with 3 to 16 characters and works with many types of encryptions. The tool also uses AI to speed up the unlocking process. If the password is simple, it uses quicker methods like Dictionary Attack or Combined Decryption.

Detailed Guide to Unprotect a Word Document Without a Password

After exploring the top features of this tool, adhere to the given steps to learn how to unprotect a Word file without a password:

Step 1. Access Dr.Fone to Unprotect Your Word Document

Start by opening the tool and importing your locked file using the "Select the File" button. Then, choose the password removal feature, select the option that says "I Don't Think Anything About the Password," and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 2. Select the Brute Force Decryption to Unlock the Protected File

Following that, opt for the "Brute Force Decryption" mode from the list of available methods and hit the "Next" button.

Step 3. Effortlessly Unprotect Your Word Document

At this point, Dr.Fone will begin scanning and trying various password combinations automatically to unlock the document.

Part 2. How to Unprotect a Word Document Using Alternative Approaches

Apart from the above-dedicated solution, various other ways are available to unprotect your document when you don't have a password. Thus, the following section provides you with 3 other ways to learn how to unprotect a Word document effortlessly:

Method 1. Convert to Rich Text Format (RTF) and Modify

This method helps you unprotect Word doc without password by converting it to a different file type. Upon saving the document as Rich Text Format (RTF), it lets you remove the password from your file. Hence, let's dive below to find out how you can convert your document effortlessly and unprotect it:

Step 1 Save File in This PC

Access the protected file on Word and navigate to the "File" menu to access the "Save As" tab. Following that, select the "This PC" option under the "Other Locations" section.

Step 2 Get RTF and Click Save

Moving forward, opt for the "Rich Text Format (*.rtf)" format in the "Save As Type" drop-down and press the "Save" button.

Step 3 Open With Notepad

Afterward, access the newly saved file and right-click on it to choose the "Open With" option. Subsequently, simply opt for the "Notepad" option to open the "RTF" file effortlessly.

Step 4 Browse Passwordhash Text

Upon opening it, press the "CTRL + F" keys and search for the "passwordhash" word.

Step 5 Replace Text With Nopassword

When it appears, you need to replace it with the "nopassword" word and then save the file. At this point, open this file with "MS Word," and you will successfully unprotect it.

Method 2. Change File Extension to .zip and Modify XML

When you ask how do you unprotect a Word document, changing the Word file's extension to ZIP format can help. This method lets you open its folders, find the settings file, and remove the protection code. So, follow the quick and detailed steps below to find out how to unprotect your document using this approach:

Step 1 Change Word to Zip Extension

Initially, access the protected "Word" file, change its format to ".zip," and then open it.

Step 2 Enter Converted Zip

Moving forward, click the "Word" folder to open it after entering into the ZIP folder.

Step 3 Opt for Settings XML

Following that, opt for the "Settings.xml" file to access its content.

Step 4 Change Enforcement Value

When accessed, change the "enforcement" value from "1" to "0" and save the Word file.

Step 5 Again Convert to Docx

Finally, head to the "ZIP" folder and now change its format to "docx" to successfully unprotect your file.

Method 3. Use Google Docs to Remove Restrictions

Another easy way to learn how to unprotect a Word doc is by using the Google Docs File option. It enables you to upload the locked document from your device or other storage and download its unprotected version. Hence, adhere to the steps below to understand the process of opting for Google Docs to remove restrictions from your file:

Step 1 Click Folder Icon on Doc

To inaugurate the task, navigate to your browser and search for the "Google Docs" website. From its main display, click the "Folder" icon in order to move further.

Step 2 Browse Word and Upload

When you see an "Open a File" display, head to the "Upload" section and press the "Browse" button to upload the protected document from your computer.

Step 3 Select Microsoft Word From Download

Once it is uploaded, click the "File" menu and opt for the "Download" option. After that, choose the "Microsoft Word (.docx)" format to save your unprotected file effortlessly.

Part 3. How to Unprotect a Word Document Using Online Tools

Besides the above solutions, a few online tools are available that let you learn how to unprotect a Word file without any hassle:

1. LostMyPass

It is a helpful online tool that offers both fast and deep recovery methods based on your file's security level. When your password is weak, it may unlock the file quickly for free, while stronger protection can take up to 24 hours. Thus, follow the steps below to unprotect Word doc without password effortlessly through the LostMyPass tool:

Step 1 Drop File at LostMyPass

Access LostMyPass and press the "Try It Now" button from the main display. Then, either drag or drop the protected file or press the "Or Click Here" button to upload it.

Step 2 Get Password Revealed

When it is uploaded, the tool starts analyzing your file and gives you its "Recovered Password" in the designated box.

2. Aspose Words Unlock

Aspose Words Unlock is a free online tool that helps you unprotect a Word document when you already know the password. It lets you name your unprotected document, along with opting for your desired format to download it on your device. Go through the steps below and find out how you can remove the password from your Word document:

Step 1 Enter Password of Uploaded File

Head to the Aspose Words Unlock tool and click the "Choose Files" area to upload a protected document. Next, enter the "Password" below the uploaded document box and then set the "File Name." Afterward, choose the format in the "Save As" section and press the "Unlock" button.

Step 2 Download Unlocked File

When the file is unprotected, hit the "Download" button to export it to your device.

3. Conholdate Online Document Unlocker

This handy online tool also offers a quick and free solution to unprotect your multiple Word or other file formats at once. It lets you effortlessly retrieve files directly from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. Hence, let's dive below to explore how to unprotect a Word doc when you know the password:

Step 1 Drop File at Conholdate Document Unlocker

Initially, go to your desktop browser and access the Conholdate Online Document Unlocker website. Next, click the "Drop or Upload Your Files" button to upload the protected file.

Step 2 Use Unlock After Adding Password

Subsequently, input the password of this Word document and press the "Unlock" button.

Step 3 Press Download Unlocked File

When the tool unprotects the file, hit the "Download Unclocked Files" button to save it to your system.

Conclusion

In summary, many users want to learn how to unprotect a Word document because either they forget the password or receive the file from others. This article has explored several quick and easy methods to unprotect your file, whether you have a password or not. In case you don't have a password, and the basic methods couldn't unprotect the file, you should opt for Dr.Fone - DocPassRemover to overcome this need.