Remove password from Word XP and Word 2003 files

[Minze]

Here is a little trick to remove the password protection from word 2003 or Word XP files.  This hack removes the internal password that makes the file read only.  It does not remove the password that you can set to open the file.  For that, you will need a separate program to try and hack the file. 

   1. Make a backup copy of the document.  That way if it gets all corrupted you still have the original you can read.
   2. Change the document to view it in HTML code.  You can do this by  pressing the ALT+SHIFT+F11 keys together
   3. Hit the F3 key and search for the word "password" (without quotes)
          * You should find something like this:
                o <w:DocumentProtection>ReadOnly</w:DocumentProtection>
                o <w:UnprotectPassword>1602952A</w:UnprotectPassword>
   4. Delete these two lines
   5. Save the document
   6. Close the HTML editor and the word document
   7. When you next open the document the password should be off.  If not you have one more step.
   8. Go to Tools –> Unprotect Document

There you have it.  If you have any questions, let me know.  Good luck.