How to Password Protect a PDF on Windows (Free, No Acrobat)
Add AES encryption to a PDF on Windows 10 or 11 in Chrome or Edge — no Adobe Acrobat, no software install. Free and private.
Windows has no built-in way to add passwords to existing PDF files. Edge can't encrypt PDFs and Microsoft Print to PDF doesn't add password protection. FixMyPDF's protect tool adds AES-256 encryption to any PDF in Chrome or Edge on Windows — free, no Acrobat.
Open Chrome or Edge and Load the Tool
Go to fixmypdf.in/tools/protect in Chrome or Edge on your Windows PC. Upload your PDF. The tool runs entirely in your browser — your document stays on your Windows machine.
Enter a Strong Password
Type a password in the password field. Use Windows' built-in Password Manager (in Edge) or a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden to generate a strong password. Aim for 12+ characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Confirm by re-entering the password.
Set Permission Restrictions (Optional)
Beyond the open password, toggle permission restrictions: prevent printing, copying text, or modifying the document. This is useful for contracts you want recipients to read and sign but not edit, or reports you want to share but prevent from being copied.
Encrypt and Download
Click "Protect PDF" — the encryption is applied and the file downloads to your Downloads folder. Open it in Edge — you should be prompted for the password before it displays. This confirms the protection is applied correctly.
Encryption Compatibility on Windows
The AES-256 encryption applied by our tool is compatible with Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, Edge's PDF viewer, Chrome, and all major PDF readers on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The recipient needs only to enter the password — no special software required.
Sharing the Password Securely on Windows
Send the protected PDF via email. Then send the password via a separate channel — SMS, phone call, or a different email account. Never include the password in the same email as the protected document. For team workflows, use a shared password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden Business.
After Protecting on Windows
If you need to remove the password later, use our unlock tool on Windows. To compress before protecting (smaller encrypted file), use the compressor first — encryption adds minimal size overhead on top of the compression.
Try Protect PDF Now — Free
Browser-based, private, and instant. No account or software required.
Open Protect PDF