Downloading Kindle Books to Your Computer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many people love using Kindles for reading. These devices are fast and well-made, allowing users to carry a whole library with them wherever they go. However, starting on February 26, 2025, Amazon will change how users can download Kindle books. After this date, you’ll only be able to download books directly to your Kindle or other WiFi-enabled devices. This means you won’t be able to download books to your computer anymore. So, why does this matter?

There are a couple of important issues with this change. First, if you want to add new books to your Kindle, you’ll need a WiFi-enabled device to do so, which can be inconvenient for those who often use airplane mode. Even more significant is that this update takes away the chance to convert your e-books into PDF format.

Kindle books come in a special format known as .AZW3, which only works on Kindle devices. If you want to read these books on different devices like a laptop or tablet, you would typically need to download and convert them first.

If you wish to download your Kindle books to a computer, you should act quickly, as time is limited. The process for downloading your Kindle books is straightforward. Begin by logging into your Amazon account and going to the “Account & Lists” section, where you will find the “Content Library.”

In the “Content Library,” click on “Books.” This action will show you your entire Kindle library, including both purchased books and any e-books borrowed from services like Kindle Unlimited or Libby. You can only download books that you have purchased or library loans that are still active.

It’s important to note that there is no option to bulk download books, meaning you’ll have to download each book one by one. To download a book, click on the “More Actions” button and then select “Download & transfer via USB.” After this, you will need to choose the device you want to download the book to and hit the download button.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the e-book files will be saved on your device. You can then connect your Kindle to your computer and upload these files without needing a WiFi connection.

What if you want to convert these Kindle books to another format? Converting .AZW3 files can be a bit challenging because of DRM, or digital rights management, which protects e-books from being copied or converted easily. If you try using a service like CloudConvert, for instance, you’ll be informed that the book is DRM-protected.

Amazon applies DRM to all its Kindle books, meaning you can usually only read them on Kindle devices. If you truly want to convert these files, you will have to remove the DRM protection first. One of the most effective tools for converting and removing DRM is Calibre. However, keep in mind that Calibre’s regular software doesn’t automatically include this option; you need a specific plugin to remove the encryption.

While adding plugins can be a little tricky, there are many helpful guides available from the Calibre community. For users determined to proceed with conversions, platforms like Reddit offer thorough instructions on how to use Calibre to remove DRM from Kindle books.

In summary, as the ability to download Kindle books to computers will soon be taken away, it’s best to download your books before the deadline and consider your options for converting them if needed.