How to Recover a Password Protected Word Document?

Forgetting the password to a Word document can be a frustrating experience, especially when the document contains important information. However, there are several methods you can try to recover a password-protected Word document:

1. Check for Password Hints: Sometimes, users provide password hints when setting a password for a document. Check if there are any hints that could jog your memory.
2. Use Password Recovery Software: There are various password recovery tools available that can help you recover the password for your Word document. These tools use different techniques to crack the password, so it's worth trying a few different ones.
3. Modify the File Extension: Try changing the file extension from .docx to .zip. Open the modified file as a zip archive and navigate to the 'word' folder. Look for a file named 'settings.xml' or 'password.xml' which might contain the password information.
4. Contact Microsoft Support: If all else fails, reach out to Microsoft Support for assistance. They may have additional solutions or tools to help you recover the password.

It's important to note that attempting to recover a password without authorization to access the document is illegal and unethical. Make sure you have the right to access the document before attempting any password recovery methods.