madisonjoy
Technical User
I created a password protected word file (office 2000) and now I can't remember the password
Anyone have an idea to work around this?
Jim
Anyone have an idea to work around this?
Jim
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Password Protected Word file 1
- Thread starter madisonjoy
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Is there a method that will work for someone who's forgotten the password to their own work, but isn't also a way of snooping on someone else's privacy?
If not, I'd have thought it best that anyone knowing such methods should keep quiet. Even if the original questioner is genuine, all sorts of people read these posts.
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A view from the UK
If not, I'd have thought it best that anyone knowing such methods should keep quiet. Even if the original questioner is genuine, all sorts of people read these posts.
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A view from the UK
- Thread starter
- #4
madisonjoy
Technical User
Good point and thank you for the comment
I can assure you the docs in question are my own
JN
I can assure you the docs in question are my own
JN
A hack is a hack. Something to break a password protected file is STILL breaking it, regardless of whether it is your own file, or not. No solution will have an ethical meter that can tell...oh yes, this really is YOUR file...OK, sure I guess it is OK.
Does not work that way.
The answer is no. That is why, when you password protect a file, Microsoft even displays a lovely message warning you that if you forget it, then you are toast.
As stated, there are hacks, just like there are hacks for about everything. However, bottom line is, I do not, nor would not....and frankly can not, tell you where to find such a method.
Gerry
Does not work that way.
The answer is no. That is why, when you password protect a file, Microsoft even displays a lovely message warning you that if you forget it, then you are toast.
As stated, there are hacks, just like there are hacks for about everything. However, bottom line is, I do not, nor would not....and frankly can not, tell you where to find such a method.
Gerry
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AnotherHiggins
Technical User
I ran into this problem several months ago and found a fix...on the Microsoft Knowledge Base!!! While I understand and agree with the comments about the ethical iffyness of "hacking" a password, it is obvious that there are times when you might need to be able to reformat a file for legitimate reasons...like if one of your coworkers creates a business document, protects it, then leaves the business without telling anyone the password. That's what happened to me.
This is not a hack (again, it is found by searching the Microsoft Knowledge Base for "word password"), but it will allow you to retain the data and formatting of a Word document in a new Word file:
-Save the protected file as an html file.
-Go to the html file, right click
-Choose "Open With..."
-Select Word
The document is still protected, but the password doesn't follow along! Just unprotect the new document.
I hope that my providing this information doesn't offend anyone or raise any flags. As I said, the same info can be found on the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Which is very ironic considering this article.
John
Every generalization is false, including this one.
This is not a hack (again, it is found by searching the Microsoft Knowledge Base for "word password"), but it will allow you to retain the data and formatting of a Word document in a new Word file:
-Save the protected file as an html file.
-Go to the html file, right click
-Choose "Open With..."
-Select Word
The document is still protected, but the password doesn't follow along! Just unprotect the new document.
I hope that my providing this information doesn't offend anyone or raise any flags. As I said, the same info can be found on the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Which is very ironic considering this article.
John
Every generalization is false, including this one.
I do not think anyone is offended. Far from it. The situation you found yourself in is all too common. This is a legitimate place to raise and ask the question.
I just have one comment (question) on the procedure.
How do you save a file as HTML, when you can not open it in the first place?
Gerry
I just have one comment (question) on the procedure.
How do you save a file as HTML, when you can not open it in the first place?
Gerry
AnotherHiggins
Technical User
Ah...interesting point. Luckily the document I was dealing with didn't require a password to open it, only to make changes.
I suppose it depends on how the document was locked down and possibly even the version of Word you're running.
If you can't even open the document without a password, I've got no idea how to help you.
Good luck!
John
Every generalization is false, including this one.
I suppose it depends on how the document was locked down and possibly even the version of Word you're running.
If you can't even open the document without a password, I've got no idea how to help you.
Good luck!
John
Every generalization is false, including this one.
Ah, the original post implied a document locked password, NOT a password on Track Changes/Comments/Forms.
This is often a problem with people posting regarding "password protection".
You can password protect the document:
1. for document open
2. for Forms, Comments, and Track Changes
Two very different processes, but both called document protection - unfortunately.
Regarding the original post, the assumption was #1. If it was #2, at least my answers would have been quite different.
Gerry
This is often a problem with people posting regarding "password protection".
You can password protect the document:
1. for document open
2. for Forms, Comments, and Track Changes
Two very different processes, but both called document protection - unfortunately.
Regarding the original post, the assumption was #1. If it was #2, at least my answers would have been quite different.
Gerry
- Thread starter
- #10
madisonjoy
Technical User
Gerry
Assumption #1 is correct
I am still as of yet unsuccessful in opening the protected document.
Appreciate the input though
Jim
Assumption #1 is correct
I am still as of yet unsuccessful in opening the protected document.
Appreciate the input though
Jim
AnotherHiggins
Technical User
madisonjoy,
We had a situation several years ago at work where management had a valid reason to try to view a document on a network drive that was password-protected. We found that there are, indeed, companies that can do this for you - but it's not cheap. We wound up not doing it, so I can't suggest any particular company/software.
fumei,
Not true! Saving a password-protected (via Tools>Protect Document) document as another .doc keeps the password! You still couldn't do any editing. Saving as an html keeps all of the formatting but loses the password. Then, when you open the html file with Word, you simply "un-protect" the document (Tools>Unprotect Document - no password required) and edit away!
It's not gonna help madisonjoy, but it is far from idiotic.
John
Every generalization is false, including this one.
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