Protect PDF.
Protect a PDF with an opening password and AES-256 encryption. Create a protected copy while keeping your original.
Free to useProcessed on FolioKeep your original file
SET IT UP FIRST
A little more privacy.
Choose your file, enter an opening password, and confirm it before downloading a protected copy.
Your password stays in this tab until you request the protected download.
BEFORE YOU START
How does Folio password-protect a PDF?
Folio’s Protect PDF tool creates a copy with AES-256 encryption and an opening password. Downloading the protected copy is free. Keep the original and your password separately; Folio cannot recover a forgotten password.
Compare local processing and cloud saving- Input
- An unencrypted, unsigned PDF and an opening password.
- Output
- A PDF that requires your password to open.
- Download cost
- All downloads and options are free. Sign in only to save files, invoices, or short links to your account.
- File handling
- The PDF and password are sent to Folio for processing in server memory. This tool does not persist them in a document database or object storage; hosting infrastructure may buffer requests.
- Limits to know
- Up to 10 MB and 100 pages. Digitally signed PDFs are not accepted. Someone with the password can access the contents; this is not digital rights management.
THREE SIMPLE STEPS
Protect PDF: step by step.
- 01
Choose an unencrypted PDF.
- 02
Enter and confirm the opening password.
- 03
Download your protected PDF. Keep your password separately.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
Require an opening password for a PDF copy
Practice opening an encrypted copy of the fictional portrait report. Its demonstration password is public and must never be reused for a real document.
Try with a practice file
Original, fictional samples. Download a file, then select it in the tool above.
- Opening password
- Practice-only-42 (public demonstration only)
- Confirm password
- Enter the same value
- Expected
- One protected page; original report retained
Check the result
Open the download in another PDF reader. It should request a password and show Portrait report after the practice password is entered. Use a new private password for your own files.
Compare a worked result
Folio-generated fictional examples. These checks apply to the supplied files and settings.
- Practice PDF — password: Practice-only-42
Requires the public demonstration password Practice-only-42; Password opens the original one-page report; Contains no confidential information.
Folio cannot recover a forgotten password. Protection controls opening the file; it does not prevent a person with the password from accessing its contents.
A FEW HELPFUL DETAILSKnow your document.
Know your document.
Get a better result.
Password protection creates an encrypted copy that requires your password to open. Folio processes the PDF and password in memory on the server and does not persist them. This tool accepts unencrypted, unsigned PDFs up to 10 MB and 100 pages. Keep your original and a separate record of the password.
Can Folio recover a forgotten password?
No password is stored by this application. Keep the password and an original unencrypted copy somewhere you can access.
Does this stop copying after opening the PDF?
The password controls opening the file. Someone with the password can access its contents; this tool is not digital rights management.
Can I protect a digitally signed PDF?
Use an unsigned original. Rewriting a signed file can invalidate its digital signature, so this tool does not process signed PDFs.
Get more from Protect PDF.
How to Password Protect a PDF Before Sharing It Create a PDF that requires an opening password. Check encryption limits, retain an original, and avoid confusing password protection with redaction.Does Folio Upload Your PDF? Local Tools vs. Cloud Saving See which Folio PDF tools process files locally, which save to private cloud storage, and which send documents for server processing before choosing a workflow.