PDFs & Documents · Protect PDF
Add a password to a PDF on your computer
Quick answer
Open Toolfox → Protect PDF, drop your PDFs, type the password needed to open them and click Protect PDF. Files are encrypted with AES-256 and saved as a new “name (protected).pdf”; the original stays unprotected. It runs entirely on your computer (Mac, Windows or Linux). Files are never uploaded.
How to do it
- Open Protect PDF and drop one or more PDFs.
- Type the password in Options. In a batch, every file gets the same password.
- Choose whether to allow printing and copying text, and optionally set an owner password.
- Click Protect PDF. The protected copy is saved next to the original.
Options you can set
- Password
- Allow printing
- Allow copying text
- Owner password (optional)
Good to know
- Encryption is AES-256 (the PDF 2.0 standard), supported by current PDF apps; very old readers may not open the file.
- Printing and copying permissions are honored by most PDF apps, but they are a request, not a lock: anyone who can open the file can view its content.
- PDFs that are already protected are refused. Digital signatures in the original become invalid.
- Batch: every file gets the same password.
Protect PDF FAQ
Is my password uploaded or saved?
No. It's used on your computer to encrypt the file and isn't kept, so store it somewhere safe: a forgotten password can't be recovered.
Do printing and copying restrictions really stop people?
Most PDF apps honor them, but they are a request, not a lock. Anyone who can open the file can view its content.
Will every PDF reader open it?
Current PDF apps support AES-256 (the PDF 2.0 standard); very old readers may not. Digital signatures in the original become invalid.
Is Protect PDF in Toolfox free?
Yes. Protect PDF is one of 57 tools in Toolfox, a free app for Mac, Windows and Linux with no account, ads, limits or watermarks.
Does Protect PDF upload my files?
No. Toolfox processes files on your own computer and works offline; your files are never uploaded.
More pdfs & documents tools in Toolfox
Get Protect PDF and 19 more tools.
Free forever. No account. Works offline. For macOS, Windows and Linux.
Updated 2026-10-18 · Toolfox v0.2.1