April 26, 2026, 2:41 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Many users read their e-books not only on a Kindle but also on a PC. The Windows app was particularly popular for this because it allowed reading on larger screens. However, this option will soon be discontinued. Initial indications in the application show that Amazon is ending support. Users receive notifications directly after a software update.
According to a report from “Good e-Reader,” users are currently being informed via the Kindle app in version 2.9.1 that it will be shut down on June 30, 2026. From that date, the application will no longer be usable. Those who wish to continue reading e-books on a PC will need to switch to a new solution. Amazon is planning an alternative app in the Microsoft Store. However, it comes with a significant limitation: It only works on devices with Windows 11. Users of older Windows versions cannot use this new application.
The development of the Kindle app for Windows has been inconsistent over the years. Amazon released a version specifically for Windows 8 back in 2009, but it disappeared with the switch to Windows 10. Later, a new option emerged with Windows 11. Through the Android subsystem, the mobile Kindle app could be used like a traditional desktop program. However, this solution was also discontinued. Support for it ended in 2025. With the current decision, Amazon seems to be drawing a final line under the Windows app.
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Background on the Decision
A similar step was taken in 2023 with the Kindle app for macOS. There, too, Amazon replaced the classic desktop version with a variant from the App Store. According to Good e-Reader, the move is not only about unifying usage. The Windows app was also used for a long time to bypass the DRM copy protection of e-books. Older versions were particularly vulnerable and facilitated unauthorized copies.
Amazon responded with mandatory updates but could not completely solve the problem. With the new app for Windows 11, the focus is likely to be more on improved protection mechanisms to prevent such bypasses in the future.