What happens if you’re sent a Word document that’s password-protected? How do you open it, and what happens if you don’t have a password? When it comes to opening password-locked Word documents, there are a few methods you can use. Not having the password for a Word document can make things more complicated, but not impossible.
This guide explains how to open a password-protected Microsoft Word and gives useful tips for doing so.
So, you need to open a Microsoft Word document that’s password protected, and luckily, you have the password, but how do you open it?
Having the password for protected documents makes the process much easier regardless of what version of Microsoft Word you are using. Here’s how:
These steps are helpful for people using Word 2010 and later models.
By following these steps, you can unlock the Word document.
Unlocking a password-protected Word document is much simpler with Word 2007 and older.
The classic pull-down menus of the older Word processors make the process much simpler.
Opening a read-only document is quite simple.
People often make the mistake of thinking that because their document is read-only, it’s secure. However, cyber hackers can still access it if they’re creative enough. Therefore, you should still password-protect read-only documents.
You can open password-protected Word documents without a password. The process is not as simple, but here are five methods to try. None of these are guaranteed to work, however.
Thanks to Microsoft, before you resort to spending money on expensive password-cracking software, you can try removing the password using readily available tools.
Ensure you follow these instructions carefully to remove the password from the Word document.
If you’re using a Mac OS device, you can use Google Docs to try to unprotect the Word document.
You should have removed the password by uploading the Word document into Google Docs. You can then save the edited Google Doc back to a Microsoft Word document.
Using online password cracker software like LostMyPass is an easy method to try if you’re looking for a free and user-friendly interface.
Tech Editor at Increditools, Colin Tan, explains:
“Losing your password to some important document can be your worst nightmare. However, technology has excelled in ways we can’t even imagine, which brings in several tools and software that can open your password-protected files without a password. One of the best tools in this forte is Passper, which has the highest recovery rate within the market. Its success rate is 100% and the best part is, it’s much easier to use and access.”
What we love about Passper is it’s a Microsoft-compatible software and is easy to use.
If you’re using Word 2007 and earlier, this method will work best for you. Guaword is software with a command line you’ll need to use to unlock a password. Here are the steps to unlock your Word document:
Following these instructions will start the decryption process. This method can take days to decrypt, so we recommend it as a last resort.
If you don’t want to go down the route of installing third-party software, the MS Visual Basic for Application (VBA) built-in Windows system is a great choice. Here’s what you need to do:
When opening a password-protected document, there are ways to ensure its contents remain safe at all times.
Ensure the password is sent to you via a secure channel. For example, if the password was sent online via email or messenger along with the document in the same message, there’s a possibility hackers may have access to both the document and password.
Ensure the document and password were sent through fully encrypted means. If they weren’t the chances of a hacker getting access to that sensitive information skyrockets.
If you received the password through a phone conversation or face-to-face, it can be easy to forget it, and then you’re stuck. It’s a good idea to write down the password and confirm it.
Write it on a piece of paper or on your cell phone. As tempting as it is to scribble the password on your hand, don’t. It’s a security risk and can get smudged. Trustworthy is the best alternative to store your passwords securely thanks to advanced security measures like two-factor authentication, biometric (facial or fingerprint) authentication and AES 256-bit encryption.
You must keep the password safe. If you’re keeping the password on your device, it’s a good idea to put it in a locked password manager or keep the written password in a safe place where no one else can access it.
If you’re using password cracker software online, use trusted software. A simple search on Google reveals an array of free options. However, be wary, as some of them can put your data at risk for a breach.
Do your research and read reviews available online. If there are very few reviews, we suggest looking at a different software.
Additionally, VP of Solutions at Centific, Sanjay Bhakta, emphasizes the importance of updating software, saying:
“There’s an opportunity cost of updating software immediately or delaying the decision. Unfortunately, the average person deprioritizes updates, attributing a lower probability of occurrence for an attack.”
It is possible to unlock a Word document without a password. However, it may be slightly more complicated, and there’s always a chance it will not work.
This may be because of the document protections, and it is just a case of enabling editing. Click on the “Enable Editing” option, which will appear in a yellow banner.
To prevent others from editing your document, open the document and select the” Review” tab. Then, choose the “Restrict Editing” option.
Joel Lim has written articles for Business Insider, MSN, and various tech startups. Joel specializes in finance and technology content and holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University.
Joel Lim has written articles for Business Insider, MSN, and various tech startups. Joel specializes in finance and technology content and holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University.
Joel Lim has written articles for Business Insider, MSN, and various tech startups. Joel specializes in finance and technology content and holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University.
Joel Lim has written articles for Business Insider, MSN, and various tech startups. Joel specializes in finance and technology content and holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University.
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