More and more people today have moved to Windows 8′s camp, largely out of curiosity and its chic metro-style interface, which delivers us a brand-new feeling with the fusion of traditional computers and tablets.
Among several versions of Windows 8, ARM version comes for tablets / smartphones, which exclusively support ARM-processor-based apps whereas other versions are theoretically compatible with all Windows applications.
This post will cover how to read eBooks (EPUB / PDF / Kindle) on standard Windows 8 devices (including Windows Surface Pro).
1. Read EPUB books on Win 8
Many professional reading apps originally supporting EPUB formats have already released Win 8 version, such as Nook for Win 8 / RT and Kobo for Win 8 / RT. Others like Sony for PC and Calibre can be installed on Win 8 OS as well.
In addition, you can also read EPUB eBooks with another reading app, Metro Reader, which is said to be the first reading app for Windows 8 OS, if you hate to be confined to some eBook stores. Metro Reader also supports TXT formats and is for sale Windows app store.
For purchased eBooks (excluding Kobo / Sony / Nook / Kindle eBooks), which are mostly DRM protected, we are likely to switch to Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) as above reading apps can’t work in this case.
However, there is no ADE for Win 8 available (for the time being) and current ADE 2.0 requires .Net 3.5 on your computer. Fortunately, previous ADE 1.7 can be installed on Win 8 and enable readers to read Adobe DRM protected books.
I bet you will love this : Use Windows 8 Themes for Windows 7
2. Read PDF books on Win 8
Almost all reading apps supporting EPUB work on PDF as well, except for Metro Reader, which only work for eBooks formatted in EPUB and TXT. One professional PDF reader for Win 8 is Adobe Reader, and it is free in Windows app store.
Adobe Reader offers many functions to maximize users’ reading experience such as password-PDF support (non-DRM), words/images zooming, etc. Similarly, you can turn to Adobe Digital Editions (1.7) if you need to read DRM-protected PDF books on Windows 8.
3. Read Kindle books on Win 8
One thing we have to mention is to read Kindle books on Windows 8. Yes, it’s a piece of cake since Amazon has released Kindle for Win 8, as what it has done on other platforms.
Steps to read Amazon Kindle books on Win 8
#1 Download and install Kindle for Win 8 / RT app on Windows 8. #2 Register Kindle for Win 8 app with your Amazon account. Once you have registered your Kindle app on Win 8, all your purchased Kindle books will be synced automatically.
Things will be a bit cumbersome, nevertheless, if you have already got a Win 8 ARM device, say the hot MS Surface RT. Compared to a heap of android reading apps, there are far fewer reading programs in Windows Metro app store. The absence of ADE for Win 8 / RT makes it even tougher to read DRM-protected eBooks on mobile devices running Win 8. I
n this case, you will have to firstly rely on DRM removing tools such as Calibre plugins and free ePubee to make your books DRM free and then read with Win 8 reading apps. Well, this case actually explains to us why full Windows 8 is a better pick to some extent.
Have you adopted Windows 8 on your personal computer yet? Do you like reading eBooks on your Windows 8 powered devices?
Ada Wang works for Epubor and writes eBook-related articles for eBookConverter and other blogs
Anirudh
Jan 21. 2013
I usually read eBooks in my Android Phone, because it had lots of Apps. Now will try reading in my PC. It’s a New thing. Thanks
Anchit Shethia
Jan 21. 2013
Great thing Anirudh. Thanks for dropping your comment
Com Domains
Jan 22. 2013
Thanks for the information Anchit. I have been sitting around waiting for Win 8 to build momentum before I jump into any updates from win 7. You have revealed a piece of information which really interest me which is the kindle ebooks on win 8. Which win 8 device(s) are you fond of?
Anchit Shethia
Jan 22. 2013
I hope you like windows 8 and take full benefit of it. Thanks for dropping by
Hariharakumar
Jan 22. 2013
I want to read kindle books on Windows XP, is it possible?
Anchit Shethia
Jan 22. 2013
Amazon announced on Thursday its “Kindle for PC,” a free application that lets users read e-books on their PCs.
But unfortunately its not free. You should consider upgrading to windows 8 or use PDF books. Thanks for dropping by HariharanKumar
Fazal Mayar
Jan 22. 2013
thanks a lot for this mate. I will be using windows 8 when i will buy my new laptop
Anchit Shethia
Jan 22. 2013
Thanks for dropping by
Stephen
Jan 29. 2013
Also, don’t forget the free Overdrive app.
This will allow you to read DRM Library epub books, and also non DRM epub books.
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/overdrive-media-console/0c1b24d6-bf93-44da-90fb-601c6a99e379
Anchit Shethia
Jan 29. 2013
Thanks Stephen for adding up. Hope to see you soon and don’t forget to share.
Svend
Feb 08. 2013
This is comfortable…
I must agree that I like listening than reading because my eyes gets painful for reading too much.