Can I redact a PDF using Microsoft Print to PDF?

I'm trying to redact an existing PDF that contains minor personal secrets (E.g., ISP account number, home address. This is not national security). I used FoxitPDF Reader and drew solid rectangles over the secrets. Then I printed the doc to a new PDF via Microsoft Print to PDF printer driver.

The new PDF seems to have non-interactive blank areas (whereas the original has moveable rectangles). So I think the print driver has "flattened" the document and therefore correctly redacted the information. Is there a way to validate this? Does this seem like a decent practice for (free) redaction of PDF documents?

Solution 1:

I would print a copy of what document you are intending to; on YOUR printer, at home, on YOUR own network. Then, using black sharpie a COVER the information. That or even just cutting out the information you desire completely from the printed copy of your document.

Then rescan as a PDF directly from your printer into the PC. Save as…(xxxxxx*)redacted.PDF and you’re good. Not only will you maintain the integrity of the original file itself, you can now be sure it is redacted correctly, without room for error or possibility of someone somehow “undoing” any computer assisted redaction you may have preformed.
It will also ensure that the PDF.redacted you submit will be certain to have metadata that will be brand new and therefor easy to discern if any further modification to the document has been performed after you have even sent it.