Password Protect a Microsoft Word Document

If you’ve got a Word document that you don’t want prying eyes to see or modify, you’ll want to lock down your file with a strong password. Word comes with password protection capabilities built-in to every version. Follow this guide to protect any document in any version of Word, for both Windows and Mac OS X.

Steps

Word 2010/2013

  1. Click the "File" in the upper-left corner. If the Info tab doesn’t automatically open, click the Info tab.
  2. Click Protect Document. This square button is located under the “Information about <document>” section. Click “Encrypt with Password” in the menu that appears.
  3. Enter a password. You will be asked to enter the password again to confirm it. You will not be able to retrieve this password if you forget it, so write it down in a safe location.
    • In order for the password to take effect, you must save the file.
  4. Remove your password. If you want to remove your password, open the document and click the File menu again. Click Protect Document and select “Encrypt with Password”. There will be a password in the box, delete it and press OK.[1]

Word 2007

  1. Click the Microsoft Office Button. This is the round button that is located in the top-left corner of the window. Clicking this button will open a menu that will allow you to save your document or start a new one.
  2. Hover your mouse over Prepare. This option is located between Print and Send. A new menu will appear.
  3. Click “Encrypt Document”. A small box will appear where you can enter the password that you would like. You will be asked to enter the password twice to confirm it. You will not be able to retrieve this password if you forget it, so write it down in a safe location.
    • In order for the password to take effect, you must save the file.
  4. Remove your password. If you want to remove your password, open the document and click the Microsoft Office Button again. Hover over Prepare and select “Encrypt Document”. There will be a password in the box, delete it and press OK.[2]

Word 2003

  1. Click the Tools menu. Click Options and a new window will open. Click on the Security tab.
  2. Create a password. In the Security tab, enter your new password in the “Password to open” field. Press OK to save the password. You will not be able to retrieve this password if you forget it, so write it down in a safe location.
    • You will be asked to confirm the password after pressing OK.
    • In order for the password to take effect, you must save the file.
  3. Remove your password. If you want to remove your password, open the document and click the Tools menu again. Select Options and then click the Security tab. There will be a password in the box, delete it and press OK.

Word 2008/2011 (Mac)

  1. Click the Word menu. This is located in the top-left corner, between the Apple menu and the File menu. Select Preferences.
  2. Click Security. This can be found under the Personal Settings section. This will open the Security window.
  3. Create your password. In the “Password to open” field, type in your password and then click OK. You will be asked to reenter your password to confirm it. You will not be able to retrieve this password if you forget it, so write it down in a safe location.
    • In order for the password to take effect, you must save the file.
  4. Remove your password. If you want to remove your password, open the document and click the Word menu again. Select Preferences and then click Security. There will be a password in the box, delete it and press OK.[3]



Tips

  • Only use the encryption option for documents that contain sensitive information. Adding a password to too many documents is an inconvenience, particularly if the password varies.
  • Choose a password that is easy to remember, but is still secure.

Warnings

  • Don't forget the password. To avoid this, choose a password that you (and only you) will remember.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/protect-your-document-workbook-or-presentation-with-passwords-permission-and-other-restrictions-HA010354324.aspx
  2. ↑ http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/password-protect-documents-workbooks-and-presentations-HA010148333.aspx#BM1
  3. ↑ http://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=17335

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