Comprehensive Tutorial: Using an eReader App to Open and Consume EPUB Files on a Desktop Device

How to Read EPUB on PC

Posted by Iris Yan on 4/1/2024 2:51:25 PM.

What is EPUB? I believe every ebook lover is very familiar with EPUB, but not each of you knows what EPUB stands for. EPUB is short for electronic publication. When a book with the extension .epub, it can be read and downloaded in devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or e-reader. As the publishing standard for ebooks, EPUB format is applied to most of the ebooks, except for Kindle books which are using its own exlcusive format like mobi, Azw3, KFX, or azw formats.

However, if you want to read a EPUB format file on your PC, you may have difficulties from Windows not being able to recognize the format. Today, I am going to introduce two methods on readiing EPUB on PC. They are all easy-to-use and totally free.

Things Need to Do before Reading Epub on PC

If you have purchased epub books from the main stream ebook vendors, like Google Play or Kobo, they will be encrypted with DRM scheme. That means you can only open these epub files with specified Apps,let’s say Adobe Digital Editons. Besides ADE, we have many other reading options. If you want to read epub on other apps, please remove DRM from epub at first to ensure your EPUB files are DRM free.

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For people who are in favor of browers, I will recommend 2 browers-Google Chrome and Firefox. What you have to do is installing one browser plugin to your browser. Just one step, your browser will become your epub reader App online.

1. MagicScroll Web Reader for reading epub on PC

If you happen to be an user of Google Chrome, you can use it as your ebook reader. Anyway, if you have not installed a Google Chrome, you can take his opportunity to have a try.

Step 1: Install Google Chrome and add the MagicScroll Web Reader

You have to download and install the Google Chrome before adding the MagicScroll web Reader. Then go to the MagicScroll extension page and click on “Add to Chrome” button to install. It will be succeed in installing in your Chrome.

Step 2: Read EPUB File on PC

Once the MagicScroll Web Reader has been installed, you can open a new tab with the home page of MagicScroll .
You can add your book to your library by clicking “add a book to your library”. Then it will give you two options to input your ebook: PC or ebook source from the internet. Once added, all ebooks will be accessible from your library. You can read your epub book by using this library.

With 4 menu buttons available at the top left corner of each book page, you can go the library main page, table of contents, options to change font size and theme colors as well as option to download the ebook locally onto your computer.

Once your books have been added to the library, you are available to access them from any other platform. This is very convenient for book reading and makes you feel like you are reading on an e-reader.

2. EPUBReader for reading epub on PC via Firefox

If you are not a fan of Google Chrome, but there is an alternative for it –Firefox.

Step 1: Add EPUBReader to Firefox

Go to EPUBReader extension page, click on the “Add to Firefox” to finish the installation.

Step 2: Read EPUB BOOK

After the installation, an additional icon will show at the top right of your Firefox browser. You can launch EPUBReader by clicking it. In the reader page, you will find lots of ebook collections that are available from archive.org and Gutenberg.org for free.

Also, you can drag the EPUB books you want to read to the Firefox browser window or just download the EPUB file by clicking the download link. EPUBReader created a page where all the EPUB files, you downloaded/opened, are listed.

Changing reading style, increasing/decreasing font size, and setting bookmarks are all available in EPUBReader.

These extensions are designed as minimalist EPUB ebook readers that enable you to browse through ebooks directly from these two browsers. Without installing an additional EPUB reading app on your computer, you can smoothly read EPUB books on a Windows computer using only your web browser with certain EPUB reader extensions. However, if you’re seeking an ebook reader with multiple features, it’s advisable to consider using an EPUB reading app for Windows rather than relying solely on browser extensions.

Read Epub on PC via ebook Reader App Windows

If you are not interested in reading by your browsers, I wil introduce 5 best Epub Reader Apps for Windows. Hope there apps will help you read your EPUB books on your computer smoothly.

1. Read epub on PC with Sumatra Reader

Sumatra Reader is a free PDF, eBook (ePub, Mobi), XPS, DjVu, CHM, Comic Book (CBZ and CBR) reader for Windows. Why introduce this reader at the very beginning? Because it is very small, fast, powerful, and portable.

Supported Operation system: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP.

Step 1: Download and Installation

Download it here. Then just follow the installation instructions.

Step 2: Read epub books with Sumatra Reader

Click its icon on the desktop to open it. Then you can see “open a document”. Just click it to add epub books to this reader.

We have to admit that it does not have so many features as other EPUB readers. However, simplicity has a higher priority than a lot of features. It’s small and starts up very fast.

2. Read epub with Adobe Digital Editions

When it comes to reading EPUB books on a PC, I highly recommend Adobe Digital Editions. As a free EPUB reader developed by Adobe, it supports both EPUB and PDF formats. Additionally, it allows you to read books regardless of whether they have DRM protection or not.

Supported system: Windows; Mac

Step 1: Install ADE and Authorize Adobe ID

Adobe Digital Editions can be downloaded and installed on windows and mac. Firstly get it ready, please. The first time you use ADE, you will receive a dialogue to creat your own adobe account. It is used to authorize your computer with ADE. Create your Adobe ID, then input it to authorize.

Step 2: Read EPUB Books by ADE

After the installation, you can add books to your library by clicking “file” and then choose “add to library”. Now you can read your epub format book on your PC.

As we can see from the surface, it is very clean, easy-to-use and customizable. You also can archive your books according to custom and build your own shelf. Full screen also can improve your view experience. Adding bookmarks and notes, and highlighting text also can make reading joyfully.

3. Read epub on Windows with IceCream Ebook Reader

As one of the best EPUB readers for Windows computer, IceCream Ebook Reader can transform your computer screen into a convenient ebook reader. It allows you to read the following formats: EPUB, MOBI, FB2, PDF and other popular formats.

Supported Operation system: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP

Step 1: Download and Installation

Download it here and install it according to the instructions.

Step 2: Read epub books by IceCream Ebook Reader

Please click “Add book” to add the EPUB format books to the library. Although there is “Add folder” button, it is not available in free version of the program. Once the book has been added, you will find it on the Bookshelf. Double click book title to read it.

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What makes IceCream Ebook Reader so special? It will remember your reading progress, help you find a book by author or book title, and select the text to copy or translate. Also, it allows you to add notes and highlight text. Full-screen mode, night mode, and bookmarks are all available.

4. Read Epub on Windows with FBReader

As a popular multi-platform ebook reader, FBReader support popular ebooks formats: ePub, fb2, mobi, rtf, html, plain text, and a lot of other formats. You are also free to access to network libraries that contain many free books. Choosing colors, fonts, page turning animations, dictionaries, bookmarks, etc. are available on this FBReader.

Supported Operation System: Android, Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Blackberry 10.

Step 1: Download and Installation

Download it from here and install it according to the instructions.

Step 2: Read EPUB Books by FBReader

After the installation, just click its icon on the desktop to open it. On the reading interface, click “+” at the right of the negative bar to add books to your library. You can select colors, fonts, page turning animations, dictionaries, bookmarks, etc. according to your reading custom.

All in all, FBReader is an easy-using e-book reader which highly improves your reading experience and makes searching texts fast and simple.

5. Best free epub Reader for Windows: Calibre

As an avid ebook lover, I must mention Calibre here. Calibre is a robust, free, and open-source ebook management software for your computer. It supports a wide range of formats, including EPUB, PDF, and more. Not only does Calibre serve as an ebook reader, but it also functions as an ebook converter. With Calibre, you can effortlessly convert your books to any other format you desire, all at no cost.

Supported Operation System: Windows(Windows 64bit), Mac OS, Linux

Step 1: Download and Installation

Download Calibre and install it.

Step 2: Read EPUB Books by Calibre

You can add books to the library by clicking “Add Books”. When the books have been successfully added to this reader, you will find it in the middle column of this surface. Just double click the book title to read it, or you can just choose the book and click “view” at navigate to read it.

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As an all-in-one solution for dealing with your ebooks, Calibre has done an excellent job and win many praises from users.

Summary

Indeed, the tools I mentioned are just a selection among many available options. Other notable free EPUB readers include Nook for PC/Mac, Kobo for PC/Mac, and several others. Choosing the best one for you depends on your specific reading preferences and habits. Explore these options to find the one that best suits your needs and enhances your reading experience.

All the above-mentioned EPUB readers only support DRM-free EPUB files, except for Adobe Digital Editions, which supports Adobe DRM-protected EPUB and PDF formats. Considering that most purchased ebooks are protected by DRM, the majority of ebook readers cannot handle this type of EPUB book, except for ADE. If you’re not a fan of ADE, how can you solve this problem? Please just try out the free EPUB DRM Removal tool–Epubor Ultimate .

Download Epubor Ultimate for Free

Iris Yan has been a passionate member of Epubor since 2017. Her mission is to enhance your ebook reading experience by sharing insightful tips and tricks. Join her on a journey towards reading excellence today!

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Comprehensive Tutorial: Using an eReader App to Open and Consume EPUB Files on a Desktop Device