Restrict PDF (Free, Private, No Upload)

PDF permissions control what users can do with your documents, allowing you to restrict actions like printing, copying text, modifying content, extracting pages, or filling in forms. This tool lets you restrict PDFs by applying owner-level permissions entirely in your browser, protecting intellectual property, preventing unauthorized modifications, and controlling document usage without uploading sensitive files to any server. Restricting permissions is different from password-locking in that it sets usage restrictions controlled by an owner password rather than preventing the document from being opened entirely. The tool is essential for businesses distributing proposals, catalogs, or price lists that need to be viewable but not editable or printable at high quality, authors sharing copyrighted manuscripts or ebooks that shouldn't be copied or modified, educators providing reading materials that students can view but not redistribute or alter, and professionals sharing confidential documents where content extraction needs to be prevented. You can configure multiple permission levels including preventing printing entirely, allowing only low-resolution printing, blocking text and image copying, disabling content editing, preventing page extraction or rearrangement, restricting form filling, blocking annotations and comments, or controlling accessibility features. Unlike simple password protection that can sometimes be bypassed, properly configured owner permissions provide robust protection against casual copying and modification attempts while still allowing authorized users to view the document normally. The tool is particularly valuable when preparing documents for public distribution where you want to prevent plagiarism, sharing sensitive research data that needs viewing access but must prevent copying, distributing internal company documents with read-only access for employees, or publishing technical documentation that shouldn't be modified by end users. Students can use it to share final thesis drafts with advisors while preventing changes, content creators can protect digital products from unauthorized duplication, and businesses can distribute confidential reports with controlled access levels tailored to different recipient groups.

  1. Click Choose PDF and open your file.
  2. Set desired restrictions and an owner password.
  3. Press Save PDF to download the restricted document.

Related tools: Lock PDF, Unlock PDF, Sanitize PDF

FAQ

Is my file uploaded?

No, all permission locking operations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript, which means your PDF files never get uploaded to any server or cloud service. This ensures complete privacy for confidential documents like business proposals, copyrighted manuscripts, proprietary research data, or sensitive internal reports that you're applying usage restrictions to.

WhatΓÇÖs the difference between restrict and lock?

Restricting sets usage permissions that control what users can do with the PDF such as printing, copying, or editing, while locking adds a password that prevents the document from being opened at all. You can use both together for maximum security, requiring a password to open the file and then restricting what opened viewers can do with the content.

Can I unlock it later?

Yes, if you have the owner password you set during the locking process, you can use the Unlock PDF tool to remove the permission restrictions and restore full editing and copying capabilities. This is why it's crucial to remember or securely store the owner password you create, as losing it means the restrictions become permanent.

Does it work offline?

Yes, once the page is loaded in your browser, the tool works completely offline without requiring an internet connection. This makes it ideal for secure environments where internet access is restricted or when you need to ensure that no data leaves your local network while applying permission restrictions to sensitive documents.

Can I lock multiple files?

Yes, you can process multiple PDF files one at a time without any daily limits or usage restrictions, making it practical for batch operations like locking an entire library of documents with consistent permission settings. While files must be processed individually, there's no cap on how many documents you can secure in a single session.