CutePDF Writer; A print to .pdf printer driver that allows output files to be encrypted.
While it sounds silly, it’s a pretty interesting product. It’s FOSS (Free Open Source Software), and available to everyone.
Below is a link to download CutePDF Writer. You will be downloading it from filepuma.com, a good website for aggregating FOSS software. There is a few seconds before the file starts transferring.
https://cutepdf.com/download/CuteWriter.exe
Installing it is easy. Simply double click on it and follow the prompts.
To print to .pdf and encrypt the file, perform your normal task as if you were to print to paper.
Change the destination printer to “CutePDF Writer”, then click print.
A dialog box will pop-up asking where you want to save the file and the filename. On this screen along the left side, look for “Add passwords”. Click that button.
Check “Password required to open document”, a password box will highlight. Enter the .pdf password into the box and click OK.
You will be prompted to re-enter the password (Verification).
If you change printer drivers, you will need to set the password again.
