[OneNote] How to recover section password for a page?

Question

I forgot password for a OneNote Notebook section. How to reset / recover / remove this?

Answer 1

Hi, Telos Technologies

From what I could find, Microsoft does not mention a max retry count or temporary lockout for OneNote section passwords. The section stays locked until the correct password is entered, and protected sections can auto-lock again after a few minutes of inactivity.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

If that section is still unlocked on any other device, remove or change the password there right away before it locks again. OneNote only lets you change or remove a section password after the section is unlocked.

If it’s a shared notebook, check with the notebook owner or another author in case they know the password for that section.

If this was on iPhone or iPad and Unlock with Fingerprint had been enabled before, try that device first.

If the notes are very important, it is suggested that a reputable third-party OneNote password recovery tool may be the only remaining thing to test. Just treat that as a last resort, because it can take a long time and success is not guaranteed.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

A forgotten OneNote section password cannot be reset, recovered, or removed.

OneNote uses strong encryption (128-bit AES in many clients) for password-protected sections. If the correct password is not known, neither other users nor Microsoft Technical Support can unlock or remove the protection. This applies across OneNote for Windows, Mac, iPad/iPhone, and the web.

The only way to open the section is to enter the exact original password. If the password might be remembered:

1. Check for common variations (different casing, added numbers, etc.).
2. Ensure Caps Lock is off, because passwords are case-sensitive.
3. Try any password manager or notes where the password may have been stored.

If the password truly cannot be recalled, the contents of that protected section are not recoverable.

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References:

• Protect notes with a password in OneNote for Windows 10
• Protect notes with a password in OneNote for Mac
• Unlock password-protected sections in OneNote for the web
• Protect notes with a password in OneNote for iPad or iPhone
• Learn more about password protection in OneNote for iPad or iPhone