How to Open Password Protected Word Document when Forget Password

 “I have forgotten my password for a document which was encrypted in Microsoft Word. How can I can I open the password protected Word document again?”

If you really need to open your password protected Word document and get back all your contents, you can use the following methods to accomplish this task. Both of the following methods can help recover Word password for opening. You can try them yourself.

Method 1: Open Password Protected Word Document by Using VBA Code.

Method 2: Use Professional Tool to Open Your Password Protected Word Doc/Docx File.

Note: “Method 1” is one of the most popular methods which is free and easy to use, but it only work for doc file encrypted in Microsoft Word 2003, 2002, 2000, XP and 97. If you need to open a  Word doc/docx file which is protected with a long password and encrypted in Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000, XP or 97, you can use Method 2.

 

Method 1: Open Password Protected Word Document by Using VBA Code.

 

When you lost password to your Word document and are unable to open it, the only way to regain access to the document is recovering the opening password. If your Word document is created in earlier Microsoft versions, you can use a free and efficient method to help find the lost password and open the password protected Word document with VBA code.

VBA code is one of the most popular methods which is free and easy to use, but it only works for doc file which is encrypted in Microsoft Word 2003, 2002, 2000, XP and 97. Now, read the following tutorial to resolve your password issue.

Step 1: Insert VBA code in your Word document.

1.       When you attempt to open your password protected Word document, it will ask you to enter password for opening, just click “Cancel” button. Then press “Alt+F11” keys.

2.       Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications will be opened immediately. Click “Insert” from menu bar and then select “Module” from the drop-down list.

3.       Module window is open. Copy and paste the following VBA code in the Module window. You should not have to change anything.

Sub test()

Dim i As Long

i = 0

Dim FileName As String

Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogOpen).Show

FileName = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogOpen).SelectedItems(1)

ScreenUpdating = False

Line2: On Error GoTo Line1

Documents.Open FileName, , True, , i & ""

MsgBox "Password: " & i

Application.ScreenUpdating = True

Exit Sub

Line1: i = i + 1

Resume Line2

ScreenUpdating = True

End Sub

Step 2: Run the VBA code to open the password protected Word doc file.

1.       Once the code is inserted, click “Run” from the menu bar or simple press F5 key on your keyboard. The macro will return you to an open dialog. Select your encrypted Word document and then click “Open”.

2.       The VBA code will run in background to search for the correct password for the selected doc file. When the password is successfully found out, it will open the document and the original password will be shown on the screen.

 

Method 2: Use Professional Tool to Open Your Password Protected Word Doc/Docx File.

 

If your Word document is docx file which was encrypted in Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 or 2019, you may need to use a professional password recovery tool to recover password and open your password protected document.

In this tutorial, I will show you how to open protected Word docx file by using a fast Word password recovery tool, Office Password Rescuer, which not only can help recover lost password for Microsoft Word document, but also Excel, PowerPoint, Access database, Outlook storage file, etc. At present, it is working for Office 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000, XP, 97, etc. Firstly, have a look at its key features bellow:

1.       Optimization for multiprocessor systems make it has high recovery speed and 100% recovery rate.

2.       Patent-pending GPU acceleration technology with NVIDIA or ATI video cards.

3.       User-friendly interface which can be operated with no technique requirement.

4.       Four powerful attacking methods for recovering password in the shortest time.

5.       Automatically save and proceed password recovery process when you run the program next time.

6.       Shut down your computer automatically when the recovery is finished.

To open a password protected Word doc/docx file with Office Password Rescuer, follow the procedure given bellow.

Step 1: Get Office Password Rescuer full version from Wimware website. You will receive a license code in seconds from your provided email.

Step 2: Free download and install the software on your computer (Compatible with any Windows system) and then register it with your received license code.

Step 3: From the interface of the software, click “Open” icon under menu bar.

Step 4: “Open File” dialog will be displayed immediately. Navigate to your password-protected Word file, select it and then click “Open” button.

Step 5: Pull down list of “Recovery Type” and choose an appropriate mode.

Step 6: Specify character range by selecting symbol type and password length when you remember something about your lost password.

Step 7: Everything is ready. Click “Start” button to start searching for the original password. Now you should not do anything until the software find out the correct password for you.

Step 8: The Word file’s opening password is recovered successfully and displayed on the screen. Just click “Copy” button to copy the password.

Step 9: Now, double click the Word file and then paste the password in the password box to open the document.

Note: The Word docx is open. Everything in this document will remain unchanged. If you want to open the password protected Word document without password in future, you need to remove the password protection, just select File > Info > Protect Document > select Password protection > click “OK” without entering any password > Save Changes.