How to Read Kindle Books on PC in 2025: Kindle on Your Desktop

A Kindle is a great device for avid readers, especially those who do a lot of traveling or don’t want to go out and buy physical books. But even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still read Kindle books with one of the Kindle apps available on your personal computer or smartphone. Here, we’ll show you how to read Kindle books on a PC.

Although reading Kindle books on your PC is simple, the reading experience can’t compare to an actual Kindle. If you’re thinking of getting one, you can head over to our Kindle model comparison to untangle the confusing pricing scheme and figure out which one suits you the best.

How to Read Kindle Books on PC With the Kindle App

The first and best way to read Kindle books on PC is to use the Kindle for PC app. In addition to allowing for offline reading, it also has all the key features of an actual Kindle. This includes the ability to highlight text, add notes, change font size, add bookmarks and read in full-screen mode.

Follow the steps below to install the application and connect it to your Amazon account. Although we’re using Windows as the example here, the instructions are almost identical on Mac.

1. Install the Kindle Reader App for PC

   Use a web browser to go to the Kindle app download page, select the Windows version and follow the on-screen instructions during installation.

   

2. Log in to Your Amazon Account in the Kindle for PC App

   Once installed, the app should open automatically and prompt you for your email address and password. Enter the information and click “sign-in.”

   

Now that the app is installed and configured, you can read books on your computer.

How to Read Kindle Books With the Kindle Cloud Reader

If you don’t want to or can’t install the dedicated Windows PC app, then you can also use the Cloud Reader through any major web browser such as Internet Explorer and Firefox. As with the last section, these instructions are platform-agnostic and will work just as well on a Linux or Mac system.

1. Open the Cloud Reader and Log In

   Use a web browser to go to read.amazon.com, enter your account credentials and click “sign-in.”

   

2. Select a Book to Read

   Once you’re logged in to the Kindle Cloud Reader, all that remains is for you to start reading books. Simply double-tap or double-click any of them to start.

   

It’s worth bearing in mind that since it’s a web-based solution, you’ll only be able to use the Cloud Reader to read Kindle books when you’re online.

Amazon No Longer Supports Direct-to-PC Downloads

As of February 26th 2025, Amazon has removed the option to download Kindle books directly to your PC. This is largely due to copyright protection measures — some users were downloading Kindle books to PC, removing DRM (Digital Rights Management) enforcement with third-party apps and sharing books illegally.

However, this was also a legitimate way for people to back up the books that they had bought, and also made it easy to load your books onto non-Kindle e-readers.

Luckily, it’s still possible to backup your Kindle books locally and remove DRM, though it’s more convoluted now and requires owning a Kindle device. Here’s how:

1. Download and Install Calibre

   Download Calibre to your PC and run the installation file.

   

2. Download & Install the DeDRM Plugin

   You can download DeDRM from the official GitHub page. Extract the zip file to a designated folder and launch the Calibre app. Click “preferences” then “plugins” and “load plugin from file.” Find the “DeDRM_plugin.zip” file and upload it.

   

3. Configure the DeDRM Plugin

   In the same plugin window, expand the “File Type” section and find DeDRM. Select “customize plugin” and “eInk Kindle ebooks.” Click the green plus icon. Here, you’ll need your Kindle serial number — you’ll find this in the “Device Options” and “Device Info” settings on your Kindle.

   

4. Add the KFX Input Plugin

   In the main plugin window, choose “get new plugins” and install KFX Input.

   

5. Add Books to Calibre With Your Kindle

   Now that Calibre is configured, you can connect your Kindle to your PC via USB. In Calibre, click “add books” and scroll down to access your Kindle device. To upload stored books, go to documents –> Downloads –> Items and scroll down to find your books — make sure you click the option with “KFX Document” type. Add the book to Calibre, and the DRM should be removed so you can change the file type and read it on your PC.

   

Final Thoughts

That’s it for our guide on how to read Amazon Kindle books on a Windows system. Although the Cloud Reader is certainly convenient, with the Kindle app installed you’ll be able to enjoy both online and offline reading without having to worry about staying connected to the internet.

If you’re currently subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and feel like it is not right for you, we have separate guides on how to return Kindle books, how to cancel Kindle Unlimited, as well as how to get free Kindle books.

What did you think of our guide? Do you now feel like you understand how to read e-books online or on your Windows or Mac computer without an Amazon Kindle device? Did we miss an alternative approach, or were there any steps that you thought were unclear? Let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading.

FAQ

• Can I Read Kindle Books Without a Kindle?

  Yes, you can read e-books using the Kindle desktop app or the web-based Cloud Reader.

• Can I Read Kindle Books on My PC Without the Kindle App?

  Yes, you can still use the Kindle Cloud Reader which is accessible through a web browser.

• How Do I Read My Kindle Books on Google Chrome?

  You can read your Kindle e-books in any web browser by following the steps below for logging in to your Amazon account and accessing the Kindle Cloud Reader.