Removing Passwords from Multiple PDF Files

Okay, so I found myself in a pickel where I had around 15-20 password-protected PDF files sitting on my laptop. And guess what? Manually removing passwords from each one? Can’t be bothered!

My brain immediately went into “Let’s script this shit up” mode.

This is how I came up with the below script to remove password from all required pdf files.

I would definitely need this in future, hence sharing here for future reference.

First install qpdf

sudo apt install -y qpdf

Actual Script :

#!/bin/bash

# Check if qpdf is installed
if ! [ -x "$(command -v qpdf)" ]; then
    echo 'Error: qpdf is not installed.' >&2
    exit 1
fi

pdfpassword="your_pdf_password"
# Decrypt pdf files
for file in $(find . -name "*Australia_Document*.pdf" | sed 's/.\///g'); do
    echo "Starting Decrypting pdf for : $file"
    # Rename files to your liking using sed
    newfile=$(echo $file | sed 's/Australia_//g')
    echo "Decrypting $file ----> $newfile"
    qpdf --password=$pdfpassword --decrypt $file $newfile
    echo -e "Decryption Complete for : $file \n\n"
done