How to protect a word document with password

Protecting a Microsoft Word document with a password is easy due to the fact that the program itself contains its own free password feature. Doing so prompts the user to enter the password each time the document is opened.

In this tutorial, TheGhanaTech.com will show you how to protect your Microsoft word document using a built-in Word feature. Later, you can unprotect your document by removing password protection, if you want.

How to lock a word document with a password

1. Open the Word document that you want to protect.
2. Click on File.
3. Select Info > Protect Document.
4. Click Encrypt with Password.
5. Enter a password into the field and select OK.
6. Enter the same password you just created a second time. This is done to ensure that you know the password that you’re setting and that you didn’t make a spelling mistake the first time. Select OK.
7. Save your file as usual.

The Microsoft Word document now requires your password to be opened.

How to remove a password from word documents

You can change the password or remove it entirely any time you want, but you need access to the file to do so.

1. Open the Word doc as usual and click File.
2. Click Info > Protect Document.
3. Click Encrypt with Password.
4. Delete the hidden characters in the text field and click OK to remove the password from the Word document.

What to Do When You Forget the Word Doc Password

If you forget the password for your Word document and you can’t find the record of it that you wrote down when you created it, there is still a way to gain access to the file’s contents.

To unlock Word documents that are protected by a password, you need to use a brute-force password recovery program. Many of these programs contain malware and require a payment to use, and a lot of them no longer work since Microsoft increased its security.

A good free option is the Password Find website, which can unlock protected files directly on the site and doesn’t require the installation of any suspicious software. The unlocking process is also free and easy to use.

1. Open your preferred web browser and go to this page on the Password Find website.
2. Click Browse and select the password-protected Word document that you want to access.
3. Click Next Step.
4. Click the bullet point next to Remove password and select Next step.
5. After several minutes, the process is complete, and you are provided with the option to download the password-free document or view it online as a Google Doc.