Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by madelonw

There were more than one firmware updates that disabled my process. I no longer worry about the KFX-ZIP problem because (apparently) there is nothing to be done with these files going forward (at least as far as getting usable files into Calibre).

There is if you use the free tools available instead.

[Jadehawk]

I never used Epubor, but with permission from Satsuoni, I started using a python script as a wrapper for K4PC (since Jul 2025) and eventually also for MSIX and Android Kindle app versions.

Now I have merged them into a single app (spares user having to install python), makes it much easier to maintain (for me) and allows me to help other users troubleshoot when they can't get Satsuoni's tools working in their setups.

It may not be as fancy as what Epubor may provide but is functional for non-techy users and there is no fee to use it.

I made this ultimately for me as a one click, Extractor + Import (To Calibre) + Convert (Using Calibre and KFX-Input plugin).

This is overkill for sure, 100% not needed, but some may find it useful.

What ppl may not like:

• Needs registration on blog (free, no ads, no mailing list, no contact from me, not selling email addresses) (This prevents unwanted bots scraping the site, specially for Amazon related content and reduces Hot-Linking ).
• Uses email to activate app (App talks to my server and allows to serve the correct Satsuoni extractor needed by the user, as well as provide updated extractor when released, also missing DLL's when needed for Fallback)

[Bastet]

Originally Posted by Jadehawk

I never used Epubor, but with permission from Satsuoni, I started using a python script as a wrapper for K4PC (since Jul 2025) and eventually also for MSIX and Android Kindle app versions.

Now I have merged them into a single app (spares user having to install python), makes it much easier to maintain (for me) and allows me to help other users troubleshoot when they can't get Satsuoni's tools working in their setups.

It may not be as fancy as what Epubor may provide but is functional for non-techy users and there is no fee to use it.

I made this ultimately for me as a one click, Extractor + Import (To Calibre) + Convert (Using Calibre and KFX-Input plugin).

This is overkill for sure, 100% not needed, but some may find it useful.

What ppl may not like:

• Needs registration on blog (free, no ads, no mailing list, no contact from me, not selling email addresses) (This prevents unwanted bots scraping the site, specially for Amazon related content and reduces Hot-Linking ).
• Uses email to activate app (App talks to my server and allows to serve the correct Satsuoni extractor needed by the user, as well as provide updated extractor when released, also missing DLL's when needed for Fallback)

As someone who is just technically proficient enough to get myself into deep dark holes without a leash, I support Jadehhawk's post with absolutely no reservations. The blog registration is not a trap or a scrape, just makes things easier for both parties.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Jadehawk

I never used Epubor, but with permission from Satsuoni, I started using a python script as a wrapper for K4PC (since Jul 2025) and eventually also for MSIX and Android Kindle app versions.

Now I have merged them into a single app (spares user having to install python), makes it much easier to maintain (for me) and allows me to help other users troubleshoot when they can't get Satsuoni's tools working in their setups.

IMHO, I would not pay epubor for stealing code that's not theirs and charging for it. I really appreciate what everyone who helps remove DRM does. Even if it's just helping others to use the free tools.

I do not mind in the least if this is not fancy. As long as it works and I;m able to use it, I'm good to go. Thank you everyone who helps for your help. I especially want to thank Satsuoni for how work on removing the DRM and Jadehowk for his directions. I've used these directions to pass on to some others to help them be able to remove Kindle DRM.

This is a community that really helps when possible and I appreciate everyone who helps when possible.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by Jadehawk

... with permission from Satsuoni, I started using a python script as a wrapper for K4PC (since Jul 2025) and eventually also for MSIX and Android Kindle app versions.

Now I have merged them into a single app (spares user having to install python), makes it much easier to maintain (for me) and allows me to help other users troubleshoot when they can't get Satsuoni's tools working in their setups.

Cool! I have added this to the first post.

[turnroot]

Originally Posted by Jadehawk

I never used Epubor, but with permission from Satsuoni, I started using a python script as a wrapper for K4PC (since Jul 2025) and eventually also for MSIX and Android Kindle app versions.

Now I have merged them into a single app (spares user having to install python), makes it much easier to maintain (for me) and allows me to help other users troubleshoot when they can't get Satsuoni's tools working in their setups.

It may not be as fancy as what Epubor may provide but is functional for non-techy users and there is no fee to use it.

I made this ultimately for me as a one click, Extractor + Import (To Calibre) + Convert (Using Calibre and KFX-Input plugin).

This is overkill for sure, 100% not needed, but some may find it useful.

What ppl may not like:

• Needs registration on blog (free, no ads, no mailing list, no contact from me, not selling email addresses) (This prevents unwanted bots scraping the site, specially for Amazon related content and reduces Hot-Linking ).
• Uses email to activate app (App talks to my server and allows to serve the correct Satsuoni extractor needed by the user, as well as provide updated extractor when released, also missing DLL's when needed for Fallback)

I clicked on your link and just got to Techy notes. It seems I need to pay to see anything at all.

[PeterT]

No. One just needs to register but there is no charge

[A Lurker]

Originally Posted by Jadehawk

It may not be as fancy as what Epubor may provide but is functional for non-techy users and there is no fee to use it.

I literally can't get past Step 1: "Double click app to start".

When I click the link on your blog it downloads a zipped folder, but unlike the example in your video, it does not contain a file named "KindleKeyFinder-0.8.1.exe". There is no executable file in it. There's a subfolder named "app" but no executable file in it.

UPDATE: I see someone else post on your blog that they had the same issue. You advised them to download version 0.2.0.10. I don't understand. There are only three download links on your blog:

1. "Standard Download: KindleKeyFinder",
2. "Offline-Installation: KindleKeyFinder Offline Installer", and
3. "For Windows 10 Users: Kindle 23620 Win 10 Patch"

There is nothing specifically labeled 0.2.0.10. I assume the "Standard Download" -- which is the one I used -- would have the most recent version. If not, where would I find it?

[DNSB]

A bit odd. When I download KindleKeyFinder-0.2.0.16-ENCRYPTED.zip ( I already has 0.2.0.12 and had updated it but wanted to see if the 0.2.0.16 file had an issue) and open it with 7-Zip, I see a single folder called Kindle Key Finder. Inside the folder, I see a file called Launch Kindle Key Finder.cmd which is what I suspect jadehawk is referring to as the app. I right click on that file and select Run as Administrator and a few seconds later, it pop up the Kindle Key Finder window and all looks good. If you do not Run as Administrator, it will inform you that is needed and offer to restart as Administrator.

[A Lurker]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Inside the folder, I see a file called Launch Kindle Key Finder.cmd which is what I suspect jadehawk is referring to as the app.

The video tutorial on his blog specifically shows a file named "KindleKeyFinder-0.8.1.exe" and says to click on that. So that was my expectation. The video doesn't show any subfolders or .cmd files. He said this is for non-techies. A non-techy is going to follow the directions and not know to click on the .cmd file instead.

EDIT: To be clear, I realize the version number might change so I wasn't expecting a file named exactly "KindleKeyFinder-0.8.1.exe". But I figured there should be a file generally named "KindleKeyFinder-?.?.?.exe".

[DNSB]

If you read the README.md file, there are multiple references such as:

App-only packages include hashed `portable-support` copies of `Bootstrap-Portable.ps1` and `Launch Kindle Key Finder.cmd`. After a successful start, the application can atomically refresh the installation-root support files so bootstrap fixes can ship through a normal application update instead of requiring a full Public/Offline reinstall.

Beginning with `0.2.0.1`, normal self-updates use separate portable application and shared-Runtime artifacts rather than replacing a KKF-built EXE.

use the portable-Python test builder so the test environment matches the 0.2.0.1+ production architecture and does not create a KKF-built application EXE

This, BTW, is one thing I dislike about video tutorials, AI search or Youtube as a source of certainty. Things change but the video tutorials and Youtube don't change and all too often the AI results either don't change or hallucinate.

For me, since a .cmd file is just another executable so I clicked on it though this was after reading the README.md file.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you read the README.md file, there are multiple references such as...

All that is pretty much Greek to me as a layperson and not an IT-professional.

[andyh2000]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

All that is pretty much Greek to me as a layperson and not an IT-professional.

I've been in software development for 30+ years and it doesn't mean much to me either. It's completely the wrong language to use if you're aiming at a non-techy audience.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

All that is pretty much Greek to me as a layperson and not an IT-professional.

And yet, you are having no issue using Satsuoni's tools on their own, right? I appreciate Jadehawk's work on this, but I think Jadehawk is a little too techie to write non-techie.

[A Lurker]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you read the README.md file, there are multiple references such as:

It won't open for me because my PC doesn't recognize the extension. What is .md? I thought README files were supposed to be .txt?

This is another example of his product not being suitable for non-techies. In and of itself that would be fine. He's not obligated to produce anything for non-techies. But he's advertising it as being for non-techies, which is going to lead to confusion and frustration.

Originally Posted by DNSB

This, BTW, is one thing I dislike about video tutorials, AI search or Youtube as a source of certainty. Things change but the video tutorials and Youtube don't change and all too often the AI results either don't change or hallucinate.

I'm referring to the tutorial Jadehawk created himself and posted on his blog. It's not a third-party tutorial. That's why I had the expectation that its directions would match the downloadable files.