Guides

How to unlock the files you actually run into — what’s a removable restriction, what’s real encryption, and exactly how to handle each.

A “locked” file is one of two very different things — a removable restriction, or real encryption. Here’s how to tell which you have, and unlock it.

PDFs have two kinds of password — restrictions you can strip instantly, and an open-password that needs the real password. Here’s how to handle both.

Excel’s “sheet is protected” lock is just an XML flag, not encryption — so it can be removed instantly, without the password. Here’s how.

Word’s “restrict editing” and read-only locks are removable flags, not encryption. Here’s how to remove them from a .docx in seconds.

A ZIP password actually encrypts the files inside, so unlocking needs the password. Here’s how to remove it — and what to do if it’s forgotten.

“Locked” on a Mac can mean three different things — a Finder lock, a file in use, or a password. Here’s how to fix each.

“Locked for editing by another user” and a protected sheet are two different problems. Here’s how to tell which you’ve got and fix it.

Can’t delete or move a file because it’s “open in another program”? That’s a file lock, not a password. Here’s how to release it safely.