How to Easily Turn off Password-Protection in Word Document?

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On May 28th, 2026

Reading Time 5 Min Read

Are you still unable to update your Word document because of password-protection? You can see file but can’t edit make the things frustrating to anyone who urgently wants to update Word document. Generally, users set passwords to protect necessary files, which prevents other users from modifying them. However, they eventually forget their password. As result, they face multiple difficulties when they are attempting to access their own Word document. The real problem begins when users search online solution to turn off password-protection in Word file, but these methods also come with multiple drawbacks.

But, users have good news that Microsoft Word also provide direct solution to disable password-protection in Word files. If users don’t know about that, then this blog helps you to easily turn off password-protection in Microsoft Word document within minutes. So let’s continue with this to know direct solution.

Why Turn Off Password-Protection in Word Document?

Password protection helps users to make document confidential when users are working with important information. Without password, users cannot access password-protected MS Word document. However, many situations arise when users want to remove password protection from MS Word document.

You don’t want to secure MS Word document anymore.
Entering password repeatedly waste your precious time.
If you want to share document with your teammates.
Editing restrictions block you from making changes.
A Word file is public or used in daily office work.
Easily access Word files in multiple systems.

Pro Tips: Before Disabling Password-Protection in MS Word

Before unprotecting Word document from protected one, you need to know original password of file. If your file is simply protected, then you can easily turn off protection in Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word also provides encryption that is more secure than protected Word file. If you forgot your password after encrypted Word file, then it cannot be recovered. A one-time protected file can be recovered, but encrypted file cannot be recovered by online method.

How to Turn Off Password-Protection in Microsoft Word?

This technique is operational in current versions of Microsoft Word, including Word 2016, 2019, 2021, & Microsoft 365. Follow these steps to easily stop protection in Word document.

Process to Turn Off Password Protection in Word with Password

Open Word Document.
After that, go to “Review” option.
Now check “Protect” option.
You will see “Restrict Editing.”
Click on this option and check “Stop Protection.”
A pop-up shows on your screen asking for password.
Enter password & save Word file.

This method is easy & effortlessly turns off password protection in Microsoft Word forever. If you do not know password & wish to disable file’s protection, please follow these upcoming steps.

Create a copy of protected Word file.
Now change the docx to zip extension.
Open ZIP file and you will find multiple folders of document files.
A XML file is also saved in folder.
Open XML file in Notepad.
Search Enforcement in Notepad.
Change enforcement number from “1” to “0.”
On the side of enforcement, you will see “documentprotection.”
Change the protection from “Read-only” to “Edit.”
Again, change Zip file to DOCX.
Open Word file.

Note: This method helps to turn off light password-protection in MS Word documents. If your file is fully encrypted with strong password, then this method will not work effectively. It will show you gobbledygook words if you are trying to unlock encrypted file against its security.

How to Turn Off Document Protection in Word Without Password?

If you are trying to stop password-protection in DOC & DOCX file without having password, then it’s not possible. ZIP method works with lightly protected files that help users get unprotected Word document. Microsoft does not provide any built-in way to remove encryption without having correct password. You can check in this screenshot, as shown in Microsoft Word security settings.

Microsoft Encryption is created to secure Word content. Without correct password, users cannot preview Word file. Some websites claim to remove protection from encrypted files, but—

They can corrupt your Word file.
A free website may steal your sensitive information
Install malware in your system.
Damage Word file formatting.

If your document is very important and you still want to decrypt file, then this safest option.

Use official Microsoft account recovery options.
Check last saved version in OneDrive & Microsoft Office.
You need to check backup copies on system & cloud storage.

Alternative Method to Disable Password-Protection in DOC | DOCX

RecoveryTools Office Password Unlocker Tool is direct solution to turn off password protection in Word document without requiring technical knowledge. This tool didn’t require Microsoft Office to remove password from Word file. This application easily works on Windows systems. Access free demo version of this application to find out more about this tool.

Download Now Purchase Now

Concluding Remarks,

In this blog, users learn effective method to turn off password protection in Word file with or without password. If you already know password & don’t have Office on your system, then you can try alternative solution. Free method helps users to easily remove protection from MS Word file. If you forgot your password & still want to disable password-protection in Word file, then try XML file method. If your document file is encrypted with password & you want to stop protection in DOCX, then knowing password is necessary to safely turn off protection without losing file.