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Thumbs up Answer: how to open password protected word file (forgot password)

If you have forgotten the password for a password-protected Word file, there are a few things you can try to open it:
  1. Use a password recovery tool: There are several third-party password recovery tools available online that can help you recover the password for your Word file. Some popular options include PassFab for Word, iSumsoft Word Password Refixer, and Stellar Phoenix Word Password Recovery.
  2. Try common passwords: If you think you might have used a common password, such as your name or birthdate, try entering those as the password.
  3. Use a macro: If the file was created in Word 97-2003, you can try using a macro to remove the password protection. Here's how:

    - Open the password-protected file in Word.
    - Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
    - Click on "Insert" and then "Module" to create a new module.
    - Paste the following code into the module:

    PHP Code:
    Sub PasswordBreaker()
         
    'Breaks worksheet password protection.
         Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
         Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
         Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
         Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
         On Error Resume Next
         For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
         For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
         For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
         For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
         ActiveDocument.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
         Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
         If ActiveDocument.ProtectionType = wdNoProtection Then
         MsgBox "Password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
         Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
         Exit Sub
         End If
         Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
         Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
         End Sub 
    - Press F5 to run the macro. If the password is found, a message box will appear with the password.

    Please note that using a password recovery tool or macro may not always work, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to recover the password. It's always a good idea to keep a backup copy of important files and to use strong, unique passwords to protect them.
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