winget install --id=epatels.CKPDFUnlocker -e CK PDF Unlocker removes open-password protection and copy/print restrictions from PDF files. It processes files locally — nothing leaves your device. Supports batch processing, per-file passwords, drag & drop, and dark/light themes.
Stop re-entering passwords. Remove passwords and copy/print restrictions from PDF files — safely, locally, and without changing your originals.
> ⚠️ This app does NOT crack or recover passwords. It cannot find or guess a lost password. > It is designed solely to eliminate the hassle of re-entering a known password every time you open a PDF you already have legitimate access to.
| ✅ Completely free | No payment, no subscription, no trial |
| ✅ Offline | File does not leave your device |
| ✅ No registration | No account, no email, no credit card, no phone |
| ✅ No ads | Clean, distraction-free interface |
| ✅ No malware or spyware | Open-source build process, source available on request |
| ✅ No expiry | Download once, use forever |
| ✅ No Watermark | Absolutely no restrictions |
| ✅ Commercial use allowed | Use it for your business without restrictions |
| ✅ Original files untouched | A new _unlocked.pdf is always created — originals are never modified |
CK PDF Unlocker removes two kinds of PDF restrictions:
| Restriction | What it means | After unlocking |
|---|---|---|
| Open password | You're prompted for a password just to open the file | File opens freely |
| Copy / print restrictions | File opens but you can't copy text, print, or edit | All restrictions lifted |
> Your original file is never modified. CK PDF Unlocker always creates a new file alongside the original — named filename_unlocked.pdf — or in a folder of your choice. The original stays exactly as it was.
> ### 👇 Pick one option below to download and install CK PDF Unlocker.
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| 🏪 Microsoft Store | Easiest — auto-updates, sandboxed |
| 📦 Winget | Windows Package Manager users |
| 💻 Command Prompt (curl) | Quick install via terminal |
| ⚡ PowerShell | Quick install via terminal |
| 🪣 Scoop | Scoop users |
| 🍫 Chocolatey | Chocolatey users |
| ⬇️ Direct download | No terminal, no package manager |
Prefer the command line? Open the Store listing directly:
start ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9NZFZNXPFF15
winget install epatels.CKPDFUnlocker
> Note: This installs the EXE version by default. For the MSI installer — recommended for Enterprise/IT deployment — use:
winget install epatels.CKPDFUnlocker --installer-type msi
> Note: You can also install straight from the Microsoft Store using winget:
winget install --id 9NZFZNXPFF15 --source msstore
EXE installer:
curl -L -o "%TEMP%\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe" https://github.com/epatels/ck-pdf-unlocker/releases/latest/download/ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe && start /wait "" "%TEMP%\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe" /S && echo CK PDF Unlocker installed successfully!
MSI installer: — for Enterprise users
curl -L -o "%TEMP%\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi" https://github.com/epatels/ck-pdf-unlocker/releases/latest/download/ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi && msiexec /i "%TEMP%\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi" /qb /norestart && echo CK PDF Unlocker installed successfully!
EXE installer:
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://github.com/epatels/ck-pdf-unlocker/releases/latest/download/ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe" -OutFile "$env:TEMP\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe"; Start-Process "$env:TEMP\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.exe" -ArgumentList "/S" -Wait; Write-Host "CK PDF Unlocker installed successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green
MSI installer: — for Enterprise users
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://github.com/epatels/ck-pdf-unlocker/releases/latest/download/ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi" -OutFile "$env:TEMP\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi"; Start-Process msiexec -ArgumentList "/i `"$env:TEMP\ck-pdf-unlocker-setup-x64.msi`" /qb /norestart" -Verb RunAs -Wait; Write-Host "CK PDF Unlocker installed successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green
> Note: Scoop installs the .exe version. If you need the .msi installer, use the Command Prompt or PowerShell options above.
scoop install ck-pdf-unlocker
To update to the latest version:
scoop update ck-pdf-unlocker
Add the bucket once, if not already done:
scoop bucket add epatels https://github.com/epatels/scoop-bucket
choco install ck-pdf-unlocker
> Note: The build script automatically prefers the MSI — it only falls back to the EXE if no MSI was uploaded to that GitHub release. There is no --installer-type switch like winget's, so you can't choose at install time; if you specifically need one or the other, use the Command Prompt or PowerShell options above instead.
| Recommended for most users |  |
| For Enterprise / IT deployment |  |
> ⚠️ Windows SmartScreen warning on first run
>
> When you first run the app, Windows may show a warning saying "Windows protected your PC". This is expected and completely normal for any new, independently distributed application — it does not mean the file is unsafe.
>
> This happens because the .exe is not yet code-signed with a commercial certificate (which costs hundreds of dollars per year). The tool is clean and contains no malware or spyware.
>
> To proceed: click More info → then click Run anyway.
Anyone who receives password-protected or restricted PDFs they legitimately own or have authorisation to access — anywhere in the world. If you've ever had to dig up a password just to open a file you already own, this tool is for you.
Banks routinely send monthly statements as password-protected PDFs. CK PDF Unlocker lets you unlock them all at once, making them easy to archive, search, and share with your accountant — without hunting for the password every single time.
Electricity, water, gas, and broadband providers frequently email bills as protected PDFs. Unlocking them lets you copy text for expense claims or print them without restriction.
Tax authorities, income portals, and government agencies around the world issue password-protected PDFs — acknowledgements, assessment notices, certificates. Unlock them once and store them freely.
Home loan statements, insurance policy documents, and premium receipts are routinely sent as locked PDFs. Unlock them to combine, annotate, or share with co-applicants or advisers.
Monthly credit card statements from most banks are password-protected. Process multiple months in a single run.
Many payroll systems generate password-protected payslips. Unlock them for easy reference during loan applications or tax filing.
Diagnostic labs and hospitals sometimes send reports as restricted PDFs. Unlock them to share easily with other doctors or insurance providers.
Some downloaded research papers or internal reports have copy restrictions that prevent highlighting or extracting quotes. Remove the restrictions to work with the content normally.
Licences, certificates, and regulatory filings from government portals often come with restrictions. Unlock them for filing, printing, or long-term archival.
_unlocked file is always created; the original is never modified or deleted
<img src="screenshots/screenshot1.png" width="420" />
<img src="screenshots/screenshot2.png" width="420" />
<img src="screenshots/screenshot3.png" width="420" />
yourfile_unlocked.pdf in the same folder> Your original file is not changed. A brand new unlocked copy is created. You can delete it, keep both, or replace the original manually — the choice is yours.
Leave the password field blank. CK PDF Unlocker will strip the restrictions automatically — no password required.
| Original file | Unlocked file |
|---|---|
statement_jan.pdf | statement_jan_unlocked.pdf |
ITR_acknowledgement.pdf | ITR_acknowledgement_unlocked.pdf |
salary_slip_march.pdf | salary_slip_march_unlocked.pdf |
If you specify a custom output folder (Step 3), unlocked files are saved there instead of next to the originals.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Runtime | None — everything is bundled in the .exe |
| qpdf | Downloaded automatically if needed (no action required) |
On first launch, CK PDF Unlocker asks if you'd like to share anonymous usage statistics to help improve the tool.
What is sent (if you opt in):
What is never sent — ever:
You can change your preference at any time via Theme → Settings.
CK PDF Unlocker uses two industry-standard open-source PDF libraries:
Found a bug? Have an idea for a new feature? Your feedback is welcome and helps make the tool better.
Is this legal? Yes, if you are unlocking PDFs that you own or have a legitimate right to access. Removing restrictions from your own bank statements, utility bills, or tax documents is entirely lawful. Do not use this tool to bypass protections on documents you do not own or are not authorised to access.
Will my original file be changed?
No. CK PDF Unlocker never modifies the original file. It always creates a new file ending in _unlocked.pdf.
What if I enter the wrong password? The tool will report a failure for that file in the log. The original file is not affected. Correct the password and try again.
What PDF encryption types are supported? RC4 (40-bit and 128-bit) and AES (128-bit and 256-bit) — the full range used by standard PDF producers including banks, government portals, and office software.
Can it unlock PDFs without a password (copy/print restrictions only)? Yes. If a PDF opens freely but has printing or copying disabled, leave the password field blank and click Unlock. The restrictions will be removed.
Does it work on scanned PDFs? Yes — the encryption wrapper is removed regardless of whether the PDF contains text or scanned images.
Release 6.5.5 assets have been independently scanned by VirusTotal. Click a link below to view the live scan results:
| Installer | VirusTotal Result |
|---|---|
.exe (recommended) | View scan ↗ |
.msi (enterprise) | View scan ↗ |
> Scans are submitted automatically on each release. Results reflect the file at the GitHub release download URL.
MIT License. See LICENSE for details.
Built with ❤️ by epatels · epatels.github.io/ck-pdf-unlocker