Amazon's Kindle jumpstarted the ebook revolution, but that doesn't make it the eReader of choice for everyone. If you've got some Kindle books you'd like to use with a different device, here's how to remove the DRM so you can.


UPDATE: It seems like this method is, unfortunately, no longer functional. We'll update again if that changes, but for now it looks like you're stuck with DRM. :(

Too Smart Guys created the video above (the tutorial portion starting at 2:05), demonstrating how to remove DRM from Kindle ebooks that you legally purchased. To get started, you need the following:

Note: the Python scripts are currently down but Too Smart Guys have been kind enough to provide a torrent you can use to download the files instead.


Once you've got all of that installed and ready, open up the unswindle.py script. You may be required to browse to python.exe in order to run it, but either way the goal is to run it with Python. After an extended moment, the Kindle for PC application will launch. You'll find your Kindle books in Archived Items. Open one up and then quit the Kindle for PC app. At this point you should be prompted to save the DRM-free ebook. Pick a location, and you're all set.

Remove Kindle Book DRM | Too Smart Guys

You can contact Adam Dachis, the author of this post, at adachis@lifehacker.com. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.



