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While not every document needs extra security, those that contain sensitive information often do. So, how can we protect them better? One simple way to enhance the confidentiality of your documents is to enable password protection. Let us show you how to do this on your Windows or Mac device.
Contents:
How to password-protect a Word document on Windows
Since Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite and works seamlessly with Windows, adding password protection to a Word document is just as simple as password-protecting an Excel sheet, a PDF or ZIP file, or even an entire folder. Here's how you can do it:
Open the Word document you want to password-protect.
Click on “File” in the top-left corner.
Select “Info,” then click on “Protect Document.”
A drop-down will appear—choose “Encrypt with Password.”
A new window will pop up. Type in your password, click “OK,” then re-enter the password to confirm.
How to password-protect a Word document on Mac
To password-protect a Word document on a Mac, you need the Microsoft Office suite installed on your Mac device. Once you have it, you can add password protection to your Word document by following these steps:
Open the Word document you want to protect with a password.
Click “Tools” in the menu bar and select “Passwords.”
A “Password Protect” window will pop up. In the “Security” section, under "Set a password to open this document," just type in the password you want to use for your document.
When prompted, re-enter the password to confirm it, then click OK.
How to remove/change a password in a Word document
If you need to remove or change the password on a Word document, there’s a super easy way to do it. Just open the document and enter the password to unlock it. Then, go through the same steps you’d take to add a password to the document, the only difference being that, when it asks for the current password, you simply delete all characters and click “OK.”
Changing the password follows the same process. You’ll still go through the steps for adding a password, but when prompted, just enter a new one and confirm it. Then, click “OK” to save the change.
Alternatives to password-protecting a Word document
Adding password protection is a solid first step in securing your Word document, but it might not be enough. When you set a password, the document is protected with 128-bit AES encryption, which is pretty reliable. But there are stronger options available, like 256-bit AES or xChaCha20 encryption, which can help keep even the most determined hackers out.
And don’t forget—how you store and share your Word documents matters too. So, if you want to take things a step further, consider storing your files in an encrypted space that only you can access. Tools like NordPass and NordLocker can help with that, allowing you to securely store your documents in an encrypted vault and share them safely with people you trust.
What if I forget my password to a Word document?
We’ve got some bad news—if you ever forget or lose the password to one of your Word documents, unfortunately, you won’t be able to recover it. Password protection in Microsoft Word is designed to prevent any overrides, making sure your documents stay safe and sound. That means your only option is to type in the correct password.
But there’s a way to avoid this problem altogether—using a tool like NordPass.
NordPass securely stores all your passwords, passkeys, credit card details, and other sensitive info in a cloud vault protected by XChaCha20 encryption. It also syncs across all your devices, so you can access your passwords whenever you need them. And if you find coming up with strong passwords a challenge, NordPass can generate them for you on the spot and save them automatically in your vault. Plus, it can help you identify any weak, reused, or compromised passwords to keep your online accounts and data safe.
Sounds good? Then make sure to give NordPass a try!