Unlock a protected Word document
Remove editing restrictions (“restrict editing”, read-only and write protection) from a .docx file. Drop it in below — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded.
What this removes
- Document protection — the “Restrict Editing” lock that limits formatting, forces tracked changes, or makes the document read-only.
- Write protection — the “password to modify” that opens the file read-only unless you have it.
This is not decryption. If your document asks for a password just to open it, it’s genuinely encrypted (AES) and this tool can’t help — that needs password recovery, which is coming soon.
How it works
A .docx file is a ZIP archive of XML. Editing protection is stored as a
<w:documentProtection> tag inside word/settings.xml — a flag Word honours
voluntarily. We open the archive in memory, remove that tag, and repackage the file. Your text, styles and
layout are untouched; only the restriction is gone.
Is this legal?
Removing editing protection from your own document, or one you’re authorised to edit, is a routine administrative task — the protection is a convenience flag, not security. Only use this on files you own or are authorised to edit.
Frequently asked
Does the file get uploaded? No. Everything happens in your browser; close the tab and it’s gone.
Will it work on .doc (old format)? Not yet — only the modern .docx format.
It says my file is encrypted. Then it has a password to open. Editing-protection removal can’t recover that — use our pay-on-success recovery service instead.