Kindle for PC Shutdown June 30, 2026: What You Need to Know
On June 30, 2026, Amazon will discontinue the classic Kindle for PC application. If you've been using the old desktop app to download and manage your Kindle library on Windows, you have about two weeks to plan your migration.
This article explains exactly what is happening, how to get the replacement app, what happens to your existing downloads, and which alternative ebook readers you should consider for EPUB files going forward.
What Amazon Is Shutting Down
Amazon originally announced the retirement of the legacy Kindle for PC app in early 2026, with the final shutdown date set for June 30, 2026.
Here is what the shutdown means in practice:
- The old Kindle for PC app will stop working entirely after June 30. You will not be able to open it, download new books, or sync your library.
- Amazon has released a new Kindle for Windows 11 app available from the Microsoft Store. If you are on Windows 11, this is your official replacement.
- Books you have already downloaded to the old app may still exist on your hard drive, but the app itself will not launch. You will need to extract or re-download those files using other tools.
- Windows 10 users are left without an official app. The new Kindle app only supports Windows 11. If you are on Windows 10, you will need a third-party ebook reader.
How to Get the New Kindle App (Windows 11)
If you are running Windows 11, the replacement is straightforward:
- Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 PC
- Search for "Kindle"
- Look for the app titled "Kindle" published by Amazon (not the old "Kindle for PC" — that version has been removed)
- Click Install
- Sign in with your Amazon account to sync your library
The new app is a universal Windows app (UWP) that supports the latest Kindle features, including the new "Story So Far" recaps and enhanced typography. However, it does have limitations: it runs only on Windows 11, and like the web reader, it does not let you download raw book files to your computer — your library is synced but the actual files are stored in app-local storage.
What If You Are on Windows 10?
Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2026, and Amazon has decided not to release the new Kindle app for it. If you are still on Windows 10, you have two options:
Option 1: Read on the Web (Kindle Cloud Reader)
Amazon's Kindle Cloud Reader works in any modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox). You can access your full library at read.amazon.com. It syncs your reading position, highlights, and notes just like the desktop app. The main downside is that you need an internet connection to download each book before reading, and you cannot store books offline on your hard drive.
Option 2: Use a Third-Party EPUB Reader
If you prefer reading your Kindle books as DRM-free EPUB files (where the publisher allows it), you can download them from your Amazon library and read them in any EPUB-compatible reader on Windows. This is actually the more future-proof approach — EPUB is an open standard, while Amazon's proprietary formats tie you to their ecosystem.
How to Download Your Kindle Books as EPUB
If your books are DRM-free (the publisher has opted in), Amazon now lets you download them as EPUB files directly. This is the cleanest path to reading outside of Amazon's apps.
- Go to Amazon.com > Account > Manage Your Content and Devices
- Click the Content tab
- Find the book in your list and click Actions (three dots)
- If you see both EPUB and Kindle Format as download options, the book is DRM-free
- Choose EPUB to download the file
Once downloaded, you can open the EPUB file in any reader on Windows. For a detailed walkthrough of the DRM-free EPUB download process, including how to identify eligible books before buying, see our guide: Amazon DRM-Free EPUB 2026: Download Kindle Books as EPUB.
Best Windows EPUB Readers for 2026
Whether the Kindle for PC shutdown forces you to seek alternatives or you simply want a better reading experience, here are the best EPUB readers for Windows in 2026:
| Reader | Platform | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calibre | Windows, Mac, Linux | Full library management + reader + converter | Power users, library management |
| Thorium Reader | Windows, Mac, Linux | Clean UI, EPUB 3.4 support, OPDS catalogs | Daily reading, EPUB 3 native |
| SumatraPDF | Windows only | Lightweight, fast, minimal | Quick reading, low-resource machines |
| Adobe Digital Editions | Windows, Mac | ADE DRM support, library books | Library borrowed EPUBs |
| Freda | Windows (Store) | Free, sync across devices | Casual Windows readers |
Calibre — The Power User's Choice
Calibre is the most feature-rich option. Beyond being an EPUB reader, it is a full ebook library manager and format converter. You can import your entire Kindle library (the DRM-free EPUBs you downloaded), organize them with custom metadata tags, and convert between formats if needed. It also has a built-in ebook viewer that supports bookmarks, search, and adjustable font/theme settings. For a detailed comparison of Calibre against other ebook tools, see Calibre vs Sigil 2026.
Thorium Reader — The Best Pure Reader
If you want a dedicated EPUB reader that does one thing well, Thorium Reader by EDRLab is hard to beat. It is based on the Readium desktop toolkit and offers excellent EPUB 3.4 support, including fixed-layout books, audio/video in EPUB, and pop-up footnotes. Its interface is clean, modern, and distraction-free. It also supports OPDS catalogs for borrowing library books.
SumatraPDF — The Lightweight Option
For readers who just need to open an EPUB file quickly without managing a library, SumatraPDF is a 6 MB portable executable that opens EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CHM, and more. It respects system dark mode, supports bookmarks, and has no install process. Perfect for reading a single EPUB without committing to a full app.
What Happens to Your Existing Kindle Content
A common concern is whether Kindle books you have already purchased will become inaccessible when the old app shuts down. Your books are safe. Here is the full picture:
- Your Amazon library remains intact. Every book you purchased is stored in the Amazon cloud, tied to your account. You can access them on any Kindle device, the new Windows 11 app, the Kindle Cloud Reader website, or any mobile Kindle app.
- Your downloaded files. If you have existing .azw, .mobi, or .kfx files stored in the old Kindle for PC's "My Kindle Content" folder, you can copy them before the app stops working. However, these are DRM-protected — you will need your Kindle device's serial number and tools like Calibre to convert them. For a full guide on converting Kindle books to open formats, see How to Convert Kindle Books to EPUB.
- Your reading progress, highlights, and notes are synced to your Amazon account and will be available in any new Kindle app or device you use.
Reading Strategy: Going Beyond Kindle
The Kindle for PC shutdown is actually a good opportunity to reconsider how you manage your ebook library. Here is a strategy that gives you the most flexibility:
- Download DRM-free EPUBs from Amazon whenever possible (check eligibility first)
- Use Calibre as your central library manager — import all your EPUBs, organize by tags and series, and use its built-in reader
- Sync across devices with Thorium Reader or use Calibre's wireless device detection to transfer books to your Kobo, PocketBook, or other non-Kindle e-reader
- Keep Kindle Cloud Reader as a fallback for DRM-protected Amazon books that cannot be downloaded as EPUB
This approach gives you independence from Amazon's app ecosystem while still letting you buy books from the Kindle Store when it is convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Kindle books after June 30?
No. Your books remain in your Amazon library and can be accessed on any Kindle device, the new Windows 11 app, Kindle Cloud Reader, or mobile Kindle apps. You only lose access to the old Kindle for PC desktop application.
Can I still use Kindle for PC on Windows 10?
No. The replacement Kindle app only supports Windows 11. Windows 10 users cannot install the new app and the old app will stop working on June 30. Use Kindle Cloud Reader (read.amazon.com) or a third-party EPUB reader as your alternative.
How do I get the new Kindle for Windows 11 app?
Open the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, search for "Kindle" (published by Amazon), and install it. Sign in with your Amazon account to access your library. The old "Kindle for PC" entry has been removed from the Store.
Can I convert my Kindle books to EPUB?
If the publisher has opted into DRM-free EPUB, you can download the EPUB file directly from your Amazon Content and Devices page. For DRM-protected books, conversion requires additional tools and is only legal for personal backup in certain jurisdictions. See our guides on DRM-free EPUB downloads and Kindle to EPUB conversion for details.
Is there a good free EPUB reader for Windows?
Yes, several. Thorium Reader and SumatraPDF are excellent free options. Calibre is also free and adds full library management capabilities. No paid app is necessary for reading EPUB files on Windows.
Summary
The Kindle for PC shutdown on June 30, 2026, is a real change, but it does not mean losing access to your books. Windows 11 users have a smooth replacement path with the new Kindle app. Windows 10 users and anyone who wants more flexibility should consider EPUB readers like Calibre, Thorium Reader, or SumatraPDF.
The best long-term strategy is to download DRM-free EPUB versions of your Kindle books whenever available. EPUB is an open format, and reading it on Windows is straightforward with any of the tools described above.