CNET Editors' review
PDFs are common in the business world, yet full-featured PDF software is often expensive. Developers have responded with an army of specialized utilities designed to do one or two things as quickly and easily as possible. PDFArea's PDF Protection Remover is a good example. It removes encryption from protected PDF files, including copy, print, and edit protection.
PDF Protection Remover's skinnable interface is just what we like to see in a utility designed to save time and enhance productivity by simplifying common processes: just the basics, clearly laid out. The controls couldn't be simpler, either: Add, Remove, Start, Stop, and Exit, and a main display with tabs for file lists and setting, or destination folder. It's so easy to use that it's probably self-explanatory to anyone who's done much with PDFs, but there's a fully indexed and well-illustrated Help file that explains every step. Nevertheless, with such obvious controls, we successfully unlocked encrypted test files moments after installing PDF Protection Remover, saved them, and opened them in a common file viewer. In fact, PDFArea claims PDF files unlocked by its software can be opened in any PDF viewer or editor. Nothing extra comes with the program, beyond a skinnable look; it's a specialized tool that does one job well and as simply as possible.
PDF Protection Remover worked just fine in Windows 7 and Vista. It can open virtually any kind of protected PDF and get you back to work in the time it takes to load and study some of the do-it-all packages.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 3.0. The trial version saves only the first half pages of the PDF file.
Publisher's Description
From PDFArea Software:
PDF Protection Remover is a quick and easy-to-use PDF utility that is designed to decrypt protected Adobe Acrobat documents. This software is able to decrypt PDF documents and is able to remove all protections, such as preventing copying, preventing printing, and preventing editing. Decrypted PDF file can be opened in any PDF viewer or any PDF editor without any restrictions.
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All versions:
1.2 starsout of 5 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"Software needs to be updated."
Version: PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 4.0
Pros
Works on 40Bit RC4 Protection
Cons
Doesn't work on files protected by Adobe Acrobat 9 or letter version.
Summary
I tried it on several protected pdf files but as ill luck would have it it didn't work for me on most of the pdf files. 128-Bit AES protection might be the reason behind this failure. And yes dont download it for cracking user password as it wouldn't do that and a matter of fact most of the user pdf password remover available are just crap. But anyways if the only pdf owner password restrictions is the main concern for you, you can try this software called pdf security removal, personally tested by myself. Go here to know more about this product or to download free version of this tool
www.pdfunlockers.com -
"Didn't work"
Version: PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 4.0
Pros
May work fine for others
Cons
Did not work with the one file I tested.
Summary
Does not work with the one file I tested it with, which had Open Password restrictions. I even know the password. Click to add, prompts you to enter the password, but the file is NOT added to the list. Seems likely the app doesn't support Open Password protection. They don't say they do but they don't say they don't either. And no its not a limitation of the trial version I tested, at least according to the help file...
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"Works but doesnt finish the job"
Version: PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 4.0
Pros
If you have the password of the secured pdf you get functionality. Thats ok unless you are a hacker type user
Cons
I only got 150 out of 300 pp in the new unsecured pdf. That sucks.
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"Trojan? wow."
Version: PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 3.0
Pros
None, who would want a trojan?
Cons
Wow, first time ever getting a warning from this site! I have used your site for years and this file comes us as Win32.VBiframe.vbq, a Trojan. Guess you guys are slipping?
Summary
DONT DL.
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"Did not work"
Version: PDFArea PDF Protection Remover 2
Pros
I liked nothing at all about this product because it did not work. I would give it zero stars but that is not allowed.
Cons
Maybe I did something wrong, but I downloaded the tester and tried to use it on an Acrobat file that was blocked for printing. The program demanded that I supply the password! If I knew the password, I would not need this software in the first place.
Summary
Maybe it works on some files, but it did not work on the one I tried.
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