3 Click on “Kindle” tab, if you are using the Kindle for PC/MAC version higher than 1.24, there will be a notification to remind you to downgrade your Kindle version, see below picture. Click the notification to open the window of downgrading the Kindle for PC and click on “Start” button to start the automatic downgrading process. Aug 16, 2020 3 Click on “Kindle” tab, if you are using the Kindle for PC/MAC version higher than 1.24, there will be a notification to remind you to downgrade your Kindle version, see below picture. Click the notification to open the window of downgrading the Kindle for PC and click on “Start” button to start the automatic downgrading process.
Earlier this year Amazon updated their Kindle for PC and Mac programs to add more accessibility features and support for enhanced formatting.
In order to add the new features, they changed the format the programs support from AZW to KFX.
This behind-the-scenes change doesn’t mean anything for most people, but for those that prefer to remove DRM from Kindle ebooks, then getting KFX ebooks is a big problem.
There’s currently no way to remove DRM from KFX ebooks, so Calibre can’t convert ebooks that are in KFX format (although it can convert to KFX for the added features), but there are ways to get AZW ebooks instead.
The change started with version 1.19, so you can still download and install an older version of Kindle for Mac or PC. In fact Amazon still hosts the files if you know where to find them:
Kindle for PC 1.17 (links no longer active)
Kindle for Mac 1.17
First thing, make sure to go to Tools > Options and turn off automatic updates!
Another way to get AZW files instead of KFX is to use the “Download & transfer via USB” option from the Manage Your Content and Device page at Amazon, but this only works if you have an E Ink Kindle registered to your account.
There’s also a way to get the newer versions of Kindle for PC and Mac to download AZW files instead of KFX. It works with versions 1.19 and 1.20. See Method 2 on this post at MobileRead for detailed directions. All you have to do is copy and paste a line of code into the command/terminal window to block the program from using KFX files so it will download AZW instead.
If you've got some Kindle books, you've likely heard that they come with Amazon's Kindle DRM, which locks your books into Kindle devices and kindle reading apps. But as a consumer, when we have already paid these files for money, why should we be stopped from reading them just because we didn't buy a Kindle but an iPad or a Kobo e-ink reader instead? This deeply hurts us. Yes?
So if you want to read Kindle books on non-Kindle devices or apps, the perfect solution is to remove the DRM. And in fact it's also the best way to protect your purchases, helps us read our own books more freely, backup or copy, print or share kindle books with friends.
But, how to? You may have wondered this problem for a long time. Don't worry this article will introduce you 3 ways to remove drm from Kindle books. From here you can liberate your kindle books best.
First things first: Download Kindle books
To begin with, firstly I strongly recommend you get your kindle books prepared on your computer. If you have the Kindle e-ink device, you can just download Kindle books via your Kindle device. If you do not have Kindle device, you have to install Kindle App(Kindle for PC/Mac desktop, or Kindle Cloud Reader web app). Launch the Kindle app, log in with your own amazon account, then all your purchased files in kindle store would be synced. Choose those files you want to deal with, double click on book cover, then downloading begins. Once you have done that, you can close the app, find your downloaded books files at destination folder (kindle content folder location).
Still failed to download the Kindle title? Look at these 7 solutions when Kindle books won't download.
Method 1: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Calibre Plugin
Calibre is an excellent ebook library management tool, open source software, helps you remove drm from books and convert format to others.
Step 1 Install Calibre.
Kindle For Pc V1.17
Install Calibre onto your computer if you haven't already get them installed.
Then download the latest DeDRM-tools. It comes as a .zip archive, but there is no need to unzip it, just open it up and put the 'DeDRM_calibre_plugin' folder where you can find it.
Step 2 Install Calibre DeDRM Plugins.
Run Calibre on computer (here takes mac as an example, remove DRM from Kindle books with calibre mac).
From the pref pane 'Preferences'--'Change calibre behavior'.
( Note: Do not click “Get plugins to enhance calibre”).
Click on Plugins (under “Advanced”) --'Load plugin from file'.
Select the 'DeDRM_plugin.zip' file you placed in step 1 and click 'Open'.
Click on the “Add” button, 'Yes' in the 'Are you sure?' warning dialogue that appears.
After succeed the plug-in has been installed. Calibre will add this plugin under its 'File type plugins' list in the Preferences window, OK. Restart Calibre please.
Step 3 Import DRMed books to Calibre.
If your kindle books are downloaded via Kindle desktop app, import your downloaded Kindle books to Calibre, then the DRM will be removed automatically. But if you've previously added books to calibre that with drm, you'd better import them again. Job done, you can click 'click to open' at the right side, to get a preview in calibre library.
If your kindle books are downloaded via Kindle eReaders, you should customize the plugin and input the KSN info.
Update: (Due to a change in DRM) Calibre DeDRM plugins will no longer work with Kindle for PC/Mac version 1.25 or newer or with Kindle firmware 5.10.2 or newer.
Method 2: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Python Scripts
Notice: This method is a little hard to use, so if you are not so familiar with computer or code, I don't think challenging this way is a wise choice.
Nearly all the eBook DRM Removal softwares are Python scripts, including Calibre.
Step 1 Install Python at first.
Firstly you need Python installed on your computer.
Step 2 Install Pycrypto.
Pycrypto is a basic DRM module that all the DRM removal tools are using. Download and install it please.
For Win: pycrypto-2.1.0.win32-py2.6.exe
For Mac: pycrypto-2.6.1.tar.gz
Step 3 Crystal reports viewer version 9 free download. Run KindleBooks.pyw.
Run KindleBooks.pyw, then input the information related to Kindle Books: input file, output file, and Kindle.info. As your kindle ebooks has been downloaded to your computer via Kindle for PC/Mac, so it is easy to find the Kindle.info, because it will be created when the desktop application installed.
Method 3: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Shareware
This method is applied to both beginners and experts. And I highly recommend you get it with a free trial. I do believe after you tried it, you will fall in love with her.
Step 1 download the powerful shareware Epubor Ultimate for PC or Mac to your computer.
Step 2 Run Epubor Ultimate.
Then the kindle books downloaded via Kindle for PC or Mac will be displayed under Kindle column in the left sidebar, while the Kindle books downloaded via Kindle devices will be displayed under Kindle Device column in the left sidebar after connecting Kindle e-ink reader to computer.
Step 3 Rip the Kindle DRM.
Add the Kindle books from the left sidebar to the right main window. Then all the books will be decrypted immediately.
Kindle for PC/Mac version 1.25/1.26, can't decrypt drm from kindle azw.
Amazon changes its drm scheme since it released Kindle desktop version 1.25(and above) and Kindle firmware 5.10.2(and above). For now we can't directly handle those new kindle kfx books unless we Downgrade Kindle for PC/Mac to Older Version.
Kindle 1.17 Version
It uses python scripts but much more easily to operate than method 2.
It provides more friendly interface than calibre. Of course it's also easier than calibre to learn how to use.
Ada Wang works for Epubor and writes articles for a collection of blogs such as ebookconverter.blogspot.com.