Openning password protected files

Here's the TechRepublic article on the subject with hints and references:

The Locksmith: Unlocking lost passwords on protected files.
Jul 21, 1999 | John Sheesley |

https://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00219990721eje06.htm

(There are no spaces in the URL)

Try this software...
http://www.elcomsoft.com/ao2000pr.html
Easy Password Recovery software is pretty good, and has a good chance of getting the password thru brute recovery...