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User profile for user: jataten
jataten Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

preview encrypt not working

Open PDF in Preview -- Big Sur 11.4

Preview Export...

Click Encrypt option. Un-click any other option.

Enter PW

Save

-------------

Finder Info indicates file is Encrypted.

Opening the file (even after restarted computer) opens without asking for a PW.

Copying file to USB drive, and opening on another Mac, also opens into Preview without asking for a PW.

I have tried many times, including duplicating the file first, and then saving using encrypt option.


It seems to be a bug, because I have done this previously (in older MacOS versions using Preview).

Any suggestions?

I see 11.6 is available, so will upgrade to that and try again.


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Oct 5, 2021 7:01 PM

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User profile for user: jataten
jataten Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Posted on Oct 9, 2021 11:23 AM

Update:

Turns out the exported PDF from the source, already had encryption applied.

It did not ask for a PW however upon opening, so it was not obvious that this was the case.

(A clue to this condition, was that when saving or export, the encryption check box would be already checked.)

Trying an Export... encryption with a new PW would simply not succeed, and an "owner" PW was not available.


Work around:

As stated, trying an Export... encryption with a PW, would not work.

Nor would export with no encryption to clear it.

However, instead, Export as PDF... with encryption unchecked DOES clear the original status of "encryption applied".

Once that has been saved. Re-open, and now selecting Export.. with encryption checked and entering a new PW works as expected.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: jataten
jataten Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Oct 9, 2021 11:23 AM in response to jataten

Update:

Turns out the exported PDF from the source, already had encryption applied.

It did not ask for a PW however upon opening, so it was not obvious that this was the case.

(A clue to this condition, was that when saving or export, the encryption check box would be already checked.)

Trying an Export... encryption with a new PW would simply not succeed, and an "owner" PW was not available.


Work around:

As stated, trying an Export... encryption with a PW, would not work.

Nor would export with no encryption to clear it.

However, instead, Export as PDF... with encryption unchecked DOES clear the original status of "encryption applied".

Once that has been saved. Re-open, and now selecting Export.. with encryption checked and entering a new PW works as expected.


Reply

preview encrypt not working

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