Amazon and DRM changes

[xyzzy_foo]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

K4PC 1.17.1 (44183) can now download Kindle eBooks published before April 22, 2025 without any problems. This is the same limitation as the more recent version 2.3.0 (70673). I confirmed this with Windows 11, version 23H2.
Surprisingly, they applied the new limitation to all previous K4PC versions, so it appears that previous K4PC versions are "back."

Of course, that version doesn't support KFX, so you'll receive KF8 (AZW3) always.

Just to be sure, I also tested version 1.34.1 (63103), which seems to be another popular K4PC version, and as expected, it can downloads Kindle eBooks from before April 22, 2025 without any issues.
You can also to use a batch file to block KFX downloads.

However, since this also prevents receiving AZW6 files, the best way to get the original quality files remains the BlueStacks K4A method.

[xyzzy_foo]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

And for many countries Kobo has never price-matched at all.

Kobo, officially Rakuten Kobo, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the major Japanese IT conglomerate, Rakuten Group.

Therefore, while they are a Canadian company, they can be considered Japanese-funded, which might make using a domestic company's platform seem like a more rational choice than Amazon.
Unfortunately, Rakuten Group appears focused on their Rakuten Mobile division and seems to be neglecting Rakuten Kobo. Here in Japan, Amazon.co.jp puts the most effort into price matching, and that's the biggest reason I've continued to choose Kindle.

However, their pre-compiled KFX and KFX-ZIP are truly ugly formats, and I honestly cannot understand how Westerners are satisfied with them.
KF8 (AZW3) is based on EPUB3, and when that format is no longer obtainable, that's when I'll completely say goodbye to Kindle.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

but they later began forcing the use of KFX, and more recently, KFX-ZIP in the latest versions.

For what it may be worth, a KFX-ZIP file is a KFX file where DRM removal failed. Since K4PC versions higher than 2.4.0 changed the encryption, you will get KFX-ZIP when trying to import from that higher version.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

K4PC 1.17.1 (44183) can now download Kindle eBooks published before April 22, 2025 without any problems. ...
Of course, that version doesn't support KFX, so you'll receive KF8 (AZW3) always.

OK...I was curious. So...I installed 1.17 (over top of 2.4.0) and was able to login/connect no problem.

I have the same experience. Now, I only tested a couple books, but 1 was from Feb. 2025 and one was from March 2024 and both downloaded just fine and I was able to import to Calibre just fine.

For brand new books, April 22nd, etc., I just get the same message as I do in 2.4.0 that I must use a new version.

So...1.17 is working right now for books published before April 22, 2025 which means azw3 instead of kfx.

For now...