Encrypting a new PDF with Microsoft Word

• Select File in the top left
  

• Select Save As

• Select Browse
  

• Select the location that you wish to save the document
• Change the file type to .PDF, then select the Options button

• Make sure that the Encrypt the document with a password option is selected

• Enter the password that you want to encrypt the file with

• Select Save

• Test that the encryption worked by opening the file.
• If it prompts a password, then the encryption is complete

Encrypting an existing PDF with Word

• Right click the PDF, hover your mouse cursor over the Open With option
• If Microsoft Word is not a default option, then select Choose another app

• Select Word, then select Just once

• From this point, you will need to save a copy of this PDF
• To do so, follow the steps outlined in Creating an Encrypted PDF above

Encrypting an existing PDF with Adobe Protect

NOTE: Does not require an Acrobat license

• Open a web browser and navigate to Password protect PDF and encrypt a PDF for free | Acrobat
• Use the Select a file button

• Navigate to the PDF file you wish to encrypt, then select Open

• Enter the password that you want to encrypt the PDF within both fields. Make sure to set a strong password, and make sure each field matches
• When you are finished select the Set password button

• Wait for Adobe to finish encrypting
• If prompted, enter the password that you just set
• Select the Download option in the top right

• Make sure to open the downloaded file to test that the password works correctly