How to Unprotect a Password Protected Word Document

1. Open the Word document with the password that was previously set. If you don't have the password, you will not be able to open the document or remove the password.
2. Click on 'File' then 'Info.' Under the 'Permissions' area click on 'Encrypt with Password' if you are using Microsoft Word 2010. If using Word 2007, click on the circular 'Office' button, 'Prepare' then the 'Encrypt Document' button. In Word 2003 select 'Tools,' 'Options' then 'Security.'
3. Highlight all characters in the password field and delete them. This removes the password from being prompted at start up. Click on the 'OK' button to close window.
4. Save the document. Check to see that the password has been successfully removed. If not, go back to the security settings and try it again, since your changes may not have been saved.