This ReadMe_First.txt is meant to give users a quick overview of what is available and how to get started. This document is part of the Tools v6.6.2 archive from Apprentice Harper's github repository: https://github.com/apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools/
* With Kindle for PC/Mac 1.19 and later, Amazon included support for their new KFX format. While the tools now include a first attempt at supporting drm removal for KFX format, we recommend using Kindle for PC/Mac 1.17 or earlier which prevents downloads of the new format, as conversions from the olde KF8 format are likely to be more successful.
** Some later Kindles support Amazon's new KFX format. And some books download in a split azw3/azw6 format. For best results, instead of using files downloaded directly to your Kindle, download from Amazon's web site 'for transfer via USB'. This will give you an single file to import. See also the FAQ entry about this.
*** With Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 and later, Adobe have introduced a new, optional, DRM scheme. To avoid this new scheme, you should use Adobe Digital Editions 2.0.1. Some books are required to use the new DRM scheme and so will not download with ADE 2.0.1. If you still want such a book, you will need to use ADE 3.0 or later to download it, but you should remember that no tools to remove Adobe's new DRM scheme exist as of June 2017.
These tools are updated and maintained by Apprentice Harper and many others. You can find the latest updates at Apprentice Harper's github repository https://github.com/apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools/ and get support by creating an issue at the repository (github account required) or by posting a comment at Apprentice Alf's blog: http://www.apprenticealf.wordpress.com/
Calibre is an open source freeware ebook library manager. It is the best tool around for keeping track of your ebooks. The DeDRM plugin for calibre provides the simplest way, especially on Windows, to remove DRM from your Kindle and Adobe DRM ebooks. Just install the DeDRM plugin from the DeDRM_calibre_plugin folder, following the instructions and configuration directions provided in the ReadMe file and the help links in the plugin's configuration dialogs.
Once installed and configured, you can simply add a DRM book to calibre and the DRM-free version will be imported into the calibre database. Note that DRM removal only occurs on IMPORT not on CONVERSION or at any other time. If you have already imported DRM books you'll need to remove them from calibre and re-import them.
For instructions, see the DeDRM_plugin_ReadMe.txt file in the DeDRM_calibre_plugin folder.
Obok plugin for calibre (Mac OS X and Windows)
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To import ebooks from the Kobo Desktop app or from a Kobo ebook reader, install the Obok plugin. This works in a different way to the DeDRM plugin, in that it finds your ebooks downloaded using the Kobo Desktop app, or on an attached Kobo ebooks reader, and displays them in a list, so that you can choose the ones you want to import into calibre.
For instructions, see the obok_plugin_ReadMe.txt file in the Obok_calibre_plugin folder.
This application is a stand-alone DRM removal application for Mac OS X users. It is only needed for people who cannot or will not use the calibre plugin. KFX support has not been tested yet.
This application is a stand-alone application for Windows users. It is only needed for people who cannot or will not use the calibre plugin. KFX support has not been tested yet.
This folder contains python scripts that create or extract or fetch encryption keyfiles for Barnes and Noble, Adobe Digital Editions, Kindle for Mac/PC and old versions of Kindle for Android.
Definitely only for the adventurous, this folder contains information on how to modify the Kindle for Android app to b able to get a PID for use with the other Kindle tools (DeDRM apps and calibre plugin).
Please get the latest (currently 2.6) PyCrypto meant for Windows Python version 2.7. Note that the PyCrypto binaries have two version numbers. The first is the PyCrypto version, and the second is the python version that they work with. This can be confusing.
The only tool that removes Apple's iBooks Fairplay DRM is Requiem by Brahms version 3.3.6 and works with iTunes 10.5. Requiem 4.0 and later do not remove DRM from ebooks.
Many fixes, updates and enhancements to the scripts and applicatons have been made by many other people. For more details, see the comments in the individual scripts.