PDF download Download Article
An in-depth guide to unlock a Microsoft Word file
PDF download Download Article

The ability to password protect an MS Word document is a very useful feature. It helps to keep your documents private or manage shared access with several authorized users. However, if you lose the password, you will be left with a document you can’t edit at all. This article will show you how to remove the Word password if you have lost or forgot it.

If you can't edit the document, use Method 1 , 2 or 3 to remove protection. If you can't open your document without password, use Method 4 or Method 5 .

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using WordPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. [1] WordPad is a word processor that comes with Microsoft Windows. It’s more basic than MS Word, but it’s possible to edit .docx and .doc files in it.
  2. Advertisement
    • Skip this step if WordPad editing options are enough for you - once open in WordPad, document will be unprotected.
  3. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Google Docs

PDF download Download Article
  1. [2] Google Docs is a free online app for text editing with much the same functionality as MS Word.
    • You can use this method if you need to unprotect the document on Mac OS.
  2. Go to https://doc.google.com in a web browser. You will open Google Docs.
    • You can also drag and drop the file into the outlined rectangular section of the screen.
    • Skip this step if you are okay with editing the document in Google Docs - protection is removed once file is uploaded.
  3. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using an Online Password Cracker (Word 2007 or above)

PDF download Download Article
  1. They are easy to distinguish since they have the .docx extension instead of .doc
    • Right-click on the file and choose Properties to check it's extension. For .doc files the previous method can be used.
    • This method also works for documents created in Word for Mac OS.
  2. After that click Next step.
  3. You'll need a license key to get the full document.
  4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using VBA Code

PDF download Download Article
    • Click File -> Save As.
    • Choose the folder to save the file in.
    • Under the file name click on the menu Save as type.
    • Choose Word 97-2003 (.doc).
    • Click Save.
    • Files in Word 97-2003 format have a different icon image than regular .docx file.
  1. Choose Insert -> Module in the menu.
  2.  Sub 
     PasswordBreaker 
     () 
     Dim 
     i 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     j 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     k 
     As 
     Integer 
     Dim 
     l 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     m 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     n 
     As 
     Integer 
     Dim 
     i1 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     i2 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     i3 
     As 
     Integer 
     Dim 
     i4 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     i5 
     As 
     Integer 
     , 
     i6 
     As 
     Integer 
     On 
     Error 
     Resume 
     Next 
     For 
     i 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     j 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     k 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     For 
     l 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     m 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     i1 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     For 
     i2 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     i3 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     i4 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     For 
     i5 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     i6 
     = 
     65 
     To 
     66 
     : 
     For 
     n 
     = 
     32 
     To 
     126 
     ActiveSheet 
     . 
     Unprotect 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     j 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     k 
     ) 
     & 
    _ Chr 
     ( 
     l 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     m 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i1 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i2 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i3 
     ) 
     & 
    _ Chr 
     ( 
     i4 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i5 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i6 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     n 
     ) 
     If 
     ActiveSheet 
     . 
     ProtectContents 
     = 
     False 
     Then 
     MsgBox 
     "Password is " 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     j 
     ) 
     & 
    _ Chr 
     ( 
     k 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     l 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     m 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i1 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i2 
     ) 
     & 
    _ Chr 
     ( 
     i3 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i4 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i5 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     i6 
     ) 
     & 
     Chr 
     ( 
     n 
     ) 
     Exit 
     Sub 
     End 
     If 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     : 
     Next 
     End 
     Sub 
    
  3. You will see the Macros window. Click Run.
  4. Click Stop Protection. It will stop protection without the password.
  5. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using a Free Password Cracker (Word 97-2003)

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you see this window when you try to open the Word document, it means the document is protected with a password to open and steps above won't help with it, so you need to use a password cracker.
    • If you can open your document, use one of the methods above instead.
  2. 2
    Understand that using a password cracker is not a guaranteed success, but it’s the only way to unlock Word documents protected by the password to open. [3]
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions and then open the program once it’s installed.
    • Unfortunately, there are no free password crackers available for newer versions of MS Word.
    • You can pause and resume it anytime with the respective buttons, but if you close the cracker before finishing the attack, it will be terminated and you’ll have to start again.
  4. If the password was found, proceed to Step 13. If the password was not found, click OK. This will return you to the Select approach page.
    • Check shorter passwords with less types of symbols first.
  5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips



      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 344,441 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement