Help! I created a password protected Word file and forgot the password!?

Question

how can I recover it, for free?

Answer 1

I don't know if this will work for you or not... but I've done it before in workbooks pro to recover an account that the password was lost to...

What I did was create two new identical files... Everything about them was the same. However, one I password protected, and the other I didn't.

I went to http://www.downloads.com and downloaded two shareware programs... one was called fcomp (file compare) and the was a simple hex editor. Just search for them... you'll find something that will work.

I used fcomp on the two new files I created. Fcomp looked at the two files and showed me what was different. I found only one place... On the file that was not password protected, there was a section of hex code that was, "00 00 00 00 00 00 00" on the file that I password protectect, it read, "00 00 H0 F2 F2 E3" or something like that. At anyrate... I put in a four character password so I summized that the last set of hex code was my password. Even though I couldn't decode it, I new it was my password.

I made a copy of the orignal file (for safety), then I opened it in my hex editor. I went to that same section of the program and saw that it said something like, "A2 X3 E1 F2 F1 A1"... Well, I summized that this file must have a six character password.

Finally, I went back into one of the new files I created and saved it with a new six character password... Opened that file in my hex editor... Copied the hex code of the new password that I'd just created (which I knew), and pasted that over the hex code for the old password in the original file. I saved my changes then tried to open it normally and simply used the new password I'd created.

It worked like a charm! Hope it works for you... sorry if it sounds complicated... it's really not, if you just follow these steps.

Answer 2

Sidestep:

Here's how you crack the password protected Microsoft Word file:

First, open the document and do a "Save As..." specifying Rich Text Format (RTF). It'll end up being called something.rtf.

Now open the RTF file by double-clicking on it. It should look identical to the original Word file.

Final step: save the RTF file with a new name as a Microsoft Word format document.

That's all there is to it. You've sidestepped the read-only lock on the file your boss sent you and are good to go.

In terms of actually breaking the password on a file that has it set as the "open file" password, that's beyond the scope of what I'll write about here. But I will say that there are some Google searches that can probably help you track down plenty of tips on doing just that.

Answer 3

Hi there.

You'll need a password recovery tool to do that kind of job. Just make sure you created that document and not trying to crack someone elses doc .. hehs.

Here's the link of the apps u can try out.

http://www.intertek.org.uk/downloads/word.html

Note, it helps to know what words or phrases you would choose when you first password protected your document or thinking at that time.

P.S. Just to let u know, the time to "crack" the password depends on the complexity of the password used to protect that document, like mine, it's virtually almost impossible as i use a combo of numbers, aphabets, and such. So it can take from minutes to hours or even days/weeks!

Hope this helps

Answer 4

It's only a word file, so I think it's okay.

Google "word password cracker"

I found a website, looks pretty legit
http://www.freewordexcelpassword.com/

But google it yourself, just to know how to find the info next time.

Answer 5

There are password recovery tools for Office files, but you may have to pay for them. Do a search and you should see a lot of options.

Answer 6

Sadly password forgot on documents can not be recovered. Passwored reset disks and application will not cover documents.

Answer 7

Contact the tech support of your internet provider. They can help you.

Answer 8

S. O. L. :( sorry hope it was not important

Answer 9

Sucks to be you my friend.