Does PDFWix send my password to a server?

No. The decryption runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly — your password and PDF stay on your PC. Verify in Edge DevTools (F12) > Network tab: no upload requests during the unlock.

What's the difference between an open password and an owner password?

An open (user) password is required to view the document. An owner password restricts what you can do with the document (print, copy, edit) without restricting opening it. Unlock PDF removes either type when you supply the matching password.

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How to Unlock a PDF on Windows

A simple step-by-step guide to unlock a pdf on Windows using PDFWix's free online tools.

How to Unlock a PDF on Windows

Unlock a PDF on Windows 10/11 — remove a known password with PDFWix in your browser. Files stay on your device. Free, no install, no signup, no watermark.

Tip: you still need the password

PDFWix Unlock requires the owner password — it does not brute-force or guess. Genuine password recovery (for a PDF where you've forgotten the password) needs specialised tooling and can take days or weeks even for short passwords. If you know the password, unlocking is instant and runs in your browser via WebAssembly so the password never reaches our servers.

How it works

Open PDFWix Unlock PDF — Open Edge or Chrome on Windows and go to pdfwix.com/unlock-pdf.
Add the protected PDF — Drag the password-protected PDF onto the dropzone, or click Select file.
Enter the current password — Type the password you'd normally use to open the document.
Decrypt — Click Unlock PDF — decryption runs locally in your browser.
Download the unprotected PDF — The unencrypted PDF downloads to your Downloads folder, byte-for-byte identical minus the password.

Frequently asked questions

Can PDFWix unlock a PDF if I don't know the password?

No — and this is the most important thing to understand about every legitimate 'unlock PDF' tool. PDFWix decrypts using the password you supply; it does not crack, brute-force, or recover unknown passwords. If you've lost a password you set yourself, the file may be unrecoverable — that's by design with strong PDF…

Is unlocking a PDF I own legal?

Yes. Removing a password from a PDF you own (or have explicit permission to modify) is legal in most jurisdictions. Removing protection from a file you don't own is generally illegal under computer-misuse laws and violates our terms of service.

Does Windows 11 have a built-in PDF unlock tool?

No. The closest free native option is Adobe Acrobat Reader's Print-to-PDF workflow (open with password, print to 'Microsoft Print to PDF'). It works but re-renders pages, sometimes rasterising text. Unlock PDF preserves the original streams.