Looking for a printer emulator to capture printed data

[jgreg7]

I have a number of old files I need to be able to print into uniform PDF documents. many of these files were locked for editing or had printing restrictions put on them years ago and the passwords are long since forgotten.

I am able to print the document to a regular printer, however the documents will not print directly to a pdf, MS doc writer, or any other document format.

The alternative at this point is to print the document to hard copy, scan it, then shred the hard copy printed version. Wasteful!

Does anyone know of a hardware (or software) item that will act as a virtual printer to capture the output and redirect it to an electronic file?

 

[Saberus]

CutePDF might bypass the protection. It creates a virtual printer that saves to PDF. Another option might be to try printing to XPS, then telling the XPS to print to PDF.

 

[jgreg7]

CutePDF might bypass the protection. It creates a virtual printer that saves to PDF. Another option might be to try printing to XPS, then telling the XPS to print to PDF.

I tried both of those - no luck. the files remain stubbornly locked.