How to password-protect a PDF on Windows 11 and 10

By the PDFClubs team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 2 min read

Method 1 (free): Encrypt when saving from Word

If you are creating the PDF from a Word document, Word can add an open password:

1. Open the document and choose File › Save As, then pick PDF.
2. Click Options…
3. Tick Encrypt the document with a password and click OK.
4. Enter the password twice and save.

Limits: it only works for documents you have in Word, it sets an open password only, and it can't restrict printing or copying.

Method 2: Protect any existing PDF with Office File Manager

1. Install Office File Manager from the Microsoft Store and open Protect PDF.
2. Add the PDFs you want to lock — several at once is fine.
3. Set an open password, and choose whether people can print, copy or edit.
4. Click Protect to save locked copies. Your originals are untouched.

Because it runs on your PC, neither the document nor its password is ever typed into a website.

Open password vs permissions

• Open password — nobody can view the PDF without it. Use this for anything confidential.
• Permissions — the PDF opens normally, but printing, copying text or editing can be turned off. Useful for sharing a document you don't want reused.

Tips

• Send the password separately — by phone or a different app, not in the same email as the PDF.
• Keep a copy of the password. A forgotten open password cannot be recovered.
• Need to remove it later? Office File Manager's Unlock tool removes the password when you know it.

Questions

Can I password-protect a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?

Yes. Word can encrypt PDFs it creates, and Office File Manager can protect any existing PDF.

Can I stop someone printing my PDF?

Yes, with permissions. Office File Manager lets you turn printing, copying and editing on or off.

Is it safe to protect a PDF on a website?

It means uploading the document and typing its password into someone else's site. Doing it on your own PC avoids both.