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LarsMe · 7/17/25

Hey,

I use the basics of the Designer at work to customize forms.

No I had the task to create a complete new from, but it has read-only access, with the message that you can only print a filled in copy but can't save it.

My question is: how can I remove this protection from my form?

Sorry if this is a simple question and if I didn't gave you enough information. Please ask if you need more.

PS: I'm from Germany so is kind of hard to describe the problem with the right technical terms.

partyush · 7/21/25

Hi @LarsMe

How to Remove Read-Only Protection (“Print Only”) from Your AEM PDF Form

The “You can only print a filled-in copy but can’t save it” message appears when Adobe Reader Extensions or other usage-rights have been applied without full rights, effectively making the PDF reader-enabled for printing only. To remove this protection so that users can save filled-in form data, follow these steps:

1. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to Remove Security

Open the protected PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro (not Reader).
Choose Tools → Protect → More Options → Remove Security.
In the Security Properties dialog, set Security Method to No Security and click OK.
Save the PDF.

This strips all password- and usage-rights restrictions and restores full edit/save capability.

2. Remove Reader Extensions in AEM Forms Designer

If you originally applied Reader Extensions in AEM LiveCycle Designer or AEM Forms Designer, you must also clear them there:

Open the form in AEM Forms Designer.
Go to File → Form Properties → Adobe Reader Extensions.
Click Remove Usage Rights.
Save and re-deploy the form.

Removing the extension ensures Designer no longer embeds the print-only restriction.

3. Use Preflight in Acrobat Pro (Alternate Method)

For complex or hardened PDFs:

Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro.
Go to Print Production → Preflight.
Search for “Remove security” or select PDF fixups → Remove PDF restrictions.
Run the fixup and save the result.