MC1017119 - SharePoint: OneDrive and SharePoint – Protect PDF with password

Coming soon to Microsoft OneDrive:Updated August 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

SharePoint and OneDrive web users can protectnow secure their PDF files with User Password and Owner Password. The User Passwordby adding protection that restricts unauthorized access through OneDrive Web. This feature allows you to set an open password, which is required to open and view a PDF file. The Owner Password is used to set operationaccess the PDF, or an owner password, which sets permissions on a PDF file,for actions such as allow printing, copying,printing or modifyingediting the content.document. This enhancement provides an additional layer of security for sensitive documents, ensuring thatensures your files remain secure and only accessible to authorized individuals can access the content.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 482193.

When this will happen:

Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early MarchJuly 2025 (previously mid-May) and expect to complete by mid-March 2025.July 2025 (previously late May).

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-MarchJuly 2025 (previously late May) and expect to complete by late March 2025.mid-August 2025 (previously early June).

How this will affect your organization:

• Before this rollout: Users cannot setup passwords to protect their PDF files. 
• After this rollout: Users can set a User Password to protect the PDF from being opened by non-authorized users or set Owner Password to grant certain operations like printing, copying, or modifying the content. 

Users will be able to use the password protection function by following these stepsTo set up an open password:

1. Open a PDF you have saved in OneDrive or SharePoint document library,

2. Click the lock icon located at the top left of the screen

3.Under Security, enter matching passwords. 

4. Click Save as to password protect this document,

5. Choose the location where you want to save the file and click Save here. 

6. A notification will appear at the bottom of the screen, indicating that a new file has been successfully saved. 

To set up an owner password:

1. Open a PDF you have saved in OneDrive or SharePoint document library, 

2. Click the lock icon located at the top left of the screen,

3. Under Protection, check the Grant permissions box.

4. Under Grant permission, check the box for web: 

1. Open the PDF file, click the Set password buttonpermissions you want to allow on the upper left toolbar. 
2. User Password can be set under Security. With this password, the user can open the PDF. 
3. Owner Password can be set under Protection. By selecting different permission levels, together with the permission password, the user having this password will be able to perform relevant actions such as print, copy, or modify contents. 

document.  What you need to do to prepare:

5. Type matching owner passwords and then click Save as to set permissions for this document,

6. Choose the location where you want to save the file and click Save here, 

7. A notification will appear at the bottom of the screen, indicating that a new file has been successfully saved. 

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified date with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation. 

Before rollout,FAQ

Will password protection overwrite my current PDF?

No, we currently only allow the "Save as" option, so the original PDF will updateremain intact.

Can I see the same permission set on the same PDF document using other apps?

Yes, users are able to view the same permission settings, and the same restrictions are applied when they view the PDF within OneDrive and SharePoint.

What you need to do to prepare:

Note: Some users may see this post with any relevant documentation. feature before other users within your organization.