With newer versions of Word, the method in your article won't work. However, saving as an .rtf then opening with AbiWord or Open Office Writer, then re-saving as .doc will work.

I recently created a template for my employer & sent it out to the field. I had inserted form fields and then pw protected it so that our field personnel could add in their comments but not edit my block text or template or page setup. I got some edits from the project manager and when I went in to unprotect and make edits, my password didn't work. I tried everything I could think of to get it off and nothing worked. It would have taken me literally hours to recreate the document from scratch just to fix two words on the 18th page. I tried ms word help and help online but nothing. To my surprise when I did a google search you were the first result and after trying your instructions, it didn't work. However, after scrolling down & reading the comments the user ANDY had a bit about opening the HTML code version of the .doc and just removing the line about pw protection. THIS WAS A LIFE SAVER! Thanks for being here :)

The blond changed her pass word protected (didn't
need it, but the son said I did] now mummy dearest can't get in to her computer?? She forgot her pass word. The program is Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Please help me?????

I do agree to your terms please just help me open it... the e-mail addres is my husbands because I can't get into mine.

Kind South Africa regards,

Franchael (PS. I will phone if need be!)

I have XP and word 2007. I have a password protected document I cannot open as I have forgotten the password. How can I open the doc and save to RTF if it prompts me for a password. help me.

deshappriya.lk@gmail.com

Thank you

Posted by: Ted at April 24, 2009 2:05 P

Finally figured it out.
The advice wasn't quite working so...i modified it.
1. Open Document
2. Save As .rtf (new name not sure if that matters but it can't hurt)
3. Close word & open file in WordPad
4. Either edit in WordPad (formatting is exactly the same) or Save As .rtf under new name.
5. Open latest file in word (but formating is a tiny bit different).

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

To get rid of the password block in MS Word 2007

1. Save as an ODF file (you'll need to have OpenOffice, freeware)
2. Open the file in OpenOffice, then save as an MS Word document (it will have the .doc extension)
3. Open the document in MS Word.
4. Voila! No more password AND formatting is unchanged.

hi.
I have a msword file password locked. Unforutnately i have forgotten my password. So plz show me the way how can i open my document its very important. So please please its urgent.

Hay it worked.. you saved me tons of time... I really like u.... keep up the good work and help us in the future too..

(Cambodia) Hi, first time i can't unlock the password protected Word documents that my students have asked me, but now i can do it easily. Thanks so much.

Thanks! Got my file opened in an editable state. I was going to have to retype the entire document and only change one or two lines. Terrible thought, but not anymore!

SuperDave!

I have a msword docx file password locked. Unforutnately i have forgotten my password. So plz show me the way how can i open my document its very important. So please please its urgent.

hey, i have a word 2007 file and i put a password on it, but I have no idea what it was :( I tried what u say, but there is no way i can save it, or change format cause right when i open it, they ask me for password and if i dont put in the password, they dont let me do anything, wont' let me click on anything other than the password box, which i dont remember :(( I tried downloding password recovary program, it says the document is open to edit, so i guess they dont even recognize that i have password, whaat should i do? plz, it's really important for me!!!

Thanks for the advice. After saving it as .rtf, I had to open it with WordPad and save it again from there, so it could forget the password.

Thanks for the truc

thank you thank you thank you!

check this link, it should be helpful

http://hubpages.com/hub/Crack-password-of-documents-word-excel-pdf-security-concerns

i cant able to open a word document file which it was protected by a password. and i forgot the password.
pls helpful.
regards, utkal

I can vouch for the word 2007 password hack Bruce posted involving XML. I just used it on word 2010 so it should work for 07 as well.

As far as word 2003 goes, you can bypass the password by deleting the protection coding in the script editor. You find the editor via toolbars ---> visual basic. When the visual basic toolbar pops up choose the script editor (last option).

Look for the document protection line in the script editor. As some have noted it might read "password etc . . . . .".
In my documents it reads w:DocumentProtectionForms/w:DocumentProtection

After you remove this line and save under the script editor, the password will be gone.

This is basically the same concept for removing the password from 2007 documents.

Thanks a lot.. this saved my time a lot..

How am I supposed to open a password protected document and then save it, If I could open it I wouldn't be here.

send

Cool - Works Thanks. :)

Hello Dave,

Thank you man.. I really need to thank you. Your Formula worked very well.

I got all my profile docs unlocked through that way.
My boss shouted on me, thinking that i may not get those documents work back, and issued a memo.

But now with your help, its bingo man, I thank you alot.

God Bless you.

I am missing something here. Most of (if not) all the solutions ask the user to OPEN the file and save it in a different format. The thing is, i cannot open the file.

I tried renaming it but that does not change the file format at all.

I am running both Office 2007 and Open Office 3.3.0

Can someone please help.

I can't figure this out... it won't let me save in rich text format, it gives a bunch of options except that one. And my version of microsoft word doesn't let me 'save as' because the document won't open at all... there's also no 'tools' option for choosing to unprotect the document either. I've been reading down this page but nothing people are suggesting seems to work, maybe I'm just doing something wrong? Does anyone know a slow step-by-step way of doing this? I'm using Microsoft 2010....Sorry, just really can't lose these documents!

ps. how do you get to the script editor?

Thanks for the help!!!!!
One note if useing MS 2007 or newer you will need to first save as a 2003 doc first then follow the steps above

Worked a treat. A million thank yous.

Dear Dave,
I have a password proteced MS word document of which i forgot the password. I have tried using the above tips but couldn't open it. Please help. I am using MS word 2007 (.docs) version.

Save it under HTML
Then Copy and paste it back to words.

how do i do that on a .txt file

I have .doc file, when i try to open it , it ask for a password .. i have forgetton the password .. could you explain me how i can open the file . just view the data inside the file ..

Thanking you

if u have word 2007, save it as an ODT file format & u will have full access

You can do the same thing with Acrobat professional. Print in high quality and then convert to word. and poof.. it is done.

Thanks for the extra tip Nordberg! (5th comment down)- I couldn't open my doc even after saving it as rtf->word but was able to remove the protection once it was saved.

In case you missed this post by Bruce, above, it works perfectly:

For anyone having problems with PROTECTED Word 2007 documents, try this

1. Open the protected document in Word 2007
2. Save the document as a "Word XML Document"
3. Open the XML document using Notepad
4. Search for and remove the documentProtection XML tag including the "" - see below
5. Save the XML document
6. Open the XML document in Word 2007
7. Protection gone :-)

Posted by: Bruce at August 27, 2009 11:49 PM
---
Notepad truly is the most powerful application on the planet. :)

Woops, just find Bruce's post from August 2009, my paste of it left out the most important part!

I love you, Dave! Life is sweet, again! This so worked. Thank you.

So...that so did not work at all!!!

Would appreciate if you will also post for the file that CANNOT BE OPENED due to forgotten password.

Thnak you!

Hi!
i have problom how i can Deleate passwrod from word document if i had created already if who can help me please help me
thinks

Hello salam
my name is noorulhaq!
we have one command in ms word 2007 i office button by the name of inspect document
how to use inspect document in ms word
and how i can use internet fax and send email

Hi,

I can't open a word file that I have long forgotten the password for. It goes straight to asking for a password when I click on the file so I can't get to the point where I save it as RTF. Also, I have a mac.

Could you please let me know if there is a way to recover the file? I am happy to pay for a program if necessary

Thanks

i have a .docx file i cant remember the password. any help would be nice

gud mrning sir, i want too open my microsoft word 2010 , i frgetten my passwrd ,,,,,, so kindly help me.....

how to open a password protected ms word file of 2011..
pls help me..

If you take it one step further and eliminate document protection also. Open the new file that has had the read only password cleared and save as again. Under Tools, General options click the Unprotect Document... and save it. Close the file and when you open it again the document protection will be gone also.

Hi, I have some important Ms. Word files and now while I am opening them, they it says select coding and they open like codes, pleas try to solve my prob they are so important

very goos solution . it is now done , thanx for the advice

Great tip. Still working fine for me.

Here is my story:

1. Doc prepared in word 2007.
2. Encrypted the doc = put a password.
3. Forgot the password.
4. Since i cannot open the file now so i renamed the file to rtf.
5. Open this rtf file in word pad but the whole doc is encrypted so cannot read.
6. I copied the data and pasted in a new doc but the result is still same.
7. can someone help, no solution above is working

Here is my story:

1. Doc prepared in word 2007.
2. Encrypted the doc = put a password.
3. Forgot the password.
4. Since i cannot open the file now so i renamed the file to rtf.
5. Open this rtf file in word pad but the whole doc is encrypted so cannot read.
6. I copied the data and pasted in a new doc but the result is still same.
7. can someone help, no solution above is working

Please do help me to solve this problem. My file was very important.

My MS Word File is converted into Coded form what can I do.

Following worked for me (office 2010)
1. Save as html
2. Open html file in notes ++ (or any other html editor i suppose)
3. remove the 19E8E61E line
4. Open html file in word
5. Remove the protection (this time without being prompted for pwd)
6. Save back as word file.

Thanks!

hi, if file is not openable. which means password is on the open file. and hence cant open the file in word. now how to crack the password.

please guide. lost password.

ok heres the dea. you have a word document that you can open, but it is locked for editing....

open document.

click anywhere on the document

press ctrl+A
press Ctrl+C
create a new word document
click inside
press Ctrl+V

save new document

ok you are ready to edit the new document....
easy!!!!!!

Your solution does not seem to work for removing a password that restricts editing/formatting for a MS Word document. FYI, I am using MS Word 2007.

How idiots can some people be there at Microsoft?

Attempting to protect a .doc file with a password just to make it read-only is like bolting your front door down while leaving all windows and back doors open. I can understand password protecting a .doc completely so that only the people you want can open it. But protecting is and making it read only is so stupid. This article is great in the sense that it (indirectly) proves that sometimes Microsoft is indeed the giant with clay feet.

If you have a control freak boss, your first step should be to find another job.

You da man!

Fantastic. Worked. I love this site!

dear Dave, i hv .docx file, ms word 2007, password of this protected file, i hv forgotten... can u help to retrieve that documents...
in this regard what i hv done...
1 change file name to .rtf / .html / .xml
2. but i hv not find the line like 19E8E61E etc.
pls guide me.. i am in grt trouble

Gin

ANSWER: Save the file as a PDF. Then open the PDF version and save it as a MS word version again! Ding! ding! there you go

Step 1 - Open the protected file

ERROR - require password to open password protected file. Duh!

What next, instructions on how to break into Fort Knox:

1) Enter Fort Knox
2) Change all the locks and have the new keys
3) Use the new keys to break in.

That's what this boils down to.

Yes password protected word file is simple to crack. Just have to change some security settings ;)

Very helpful post and tips from commenters regarding final step of unclicking Restrict Editing button was also very helpful. Thank you!

Glad to see this very helpful post has not been removed!
I used it ages ago (like 2007 or so!), and have just needed a reminder again today!
The post has grown to 3 pages long from 2005, obviously helped a lot of people along the way, good on you!
Cheerio.

Thank u dave.... U saved my life thanx a lot X333

I prepared a document in case of divorce with my husband.

I changed regularly the password to open and modify it (it is the same password). But now I can not open anymore because I lost the last one.

If I give you that file, could you open it for me ?

I tried to change the extension .rtf and no use.
Every crackers I found on the web give only a demo version. I bought one very expensive and limited times to use (all the credit is already used and I do not want to pay 30 euros more).

This document is important for me !

Please help me ! Thanks so much

Man, You have really saved me, thanks a lot

Worked just fine!
Thumbs up for you!
;-)

This link just wasted 5 minutes of my time that I will never get back. YOU CAN'T OPEN A MS WORD DOC THAT IS PASSWORD PROTECTED!!!!!!

Hi dave, i read all of pages. but i cannot do it successfully because my protteced ms file is msword 2007. op sys is windows 7.at first i rename the file *.rft then open with word pad.save as *.docx. but dont understand the text. some thing like this(:(U£;Î9ïµ,X87ÐÈd?&Ù,™½§™îx%&–¯‹)what can i do? pls help me. its very inprotent to me.

Hi dave, i read all of pages. but i cannot do it successfully because my protteced ms file is msword 2007. op sys is windows 7.at first i rename the file *.rft then open with word pad.save as *.docx. but dont understand the text. some thing like this(:(U£;Î9ïµ,X87ÐÈd?&Ù,™½§™îx%&–¯‹)what can i do? pls help me. its very inprotent to me.please please help me what can i do?

Try saving the Word document as a WordPad file. It should work.

GUYS PLS DO HELP ME

ALL THE TIPS WONT WORK TO MS WORD 2007

i cant edit or "save as .html or .rtf" the document since in the first place its asking for a PASSWORD.

the first step that is alwways mentioned here is "OPEN the FILE and save as" but once again it cant be open since there is a PASSWORD

"Step 1 - Open the protected file

ERROR - require password to open password protected file" <-this error is the problem cant proceed to step 2 because of the password

Oh yes,, apparently there's no solution to OPEN a password protected document. All my info is gone forever! So sad. One of those lessons one's got to learn the hard way

Converting it to XML and opening it in Notepad worked for me in Word.
What about excel 2010
OS Windows 7

For anyone who has been plagued by Word or Excel passwords, if the format is .docx (I don't believe this will work for .doc formats) simply rename the file extension .zip, open the 'word' or 'excel' folder within the zip, delete "Settings.XML" and it will instantly remove the password from the document. Rename your document .docx or .xlsx and you should be able to open it without a problem.

Here is what happened to me,
I was using two administrator accounts with two different passwords and once a friend of mine pluged in his flash and released a virus to my computer then after the computer was restarted it couldn't display the desktop, then I tried to fix it by coping the system32 from the OS cd. then it worked but unbelivabely the password of the first account opened the second account but the first account couldn't be opened by either of the passwords, unfortunately the account I couldn't open was the one I have lots of documents I have been working on for the past six (6) years, then I installed windows again leaving the files undeleted then i found them all but I couldn't open them even in read only. Please Any Idea What I should do to access my documents would be a lot apperciated.

Thanks! Greatest things are just simple !

Have a nice day!

I have one Word and one excel file which have been password protected thus i cannot open the file anymore. Can you please assist me in unlocking and viewing these files again?

Much appreciated!
T

NOTE: While the title of the link is a bit misleading, this post is about interfering with passwords that prevent you from MODIFYING a document. Password Restriction.

Obviously, people who want to be able to open a totally password PROTECTED document are going to be disappointed, but they should also recognize that their issue is different from the one being discussed, and not pretend that everyone is simply being obtuse or unhelpful.

Big EZE, your instructions for Word 2010, renaming the file to .zip, deleting settings.xml, and renaming back to .docx, worked like a charm. Bravo!

Again - this is only for a document that CAN be opened and is restricted from editing.

Great stuff :)