Guides

How to Convert Kindle Books (AZW3/MOBI) to EPUB or PDF for Desktop Reading

Have books tied to a Kindle ecosystem that you’d like to read on your computer like any other file? In this guide, we’ll walk through the basics of Kindle formats like AZW3 and MOBI, what’s realistic to convert, and how to end up with EPUB or PDF files you can comfortably read on your desktop using Wizread’s import → library → read flow. If you also want a broader comparison of ebook formats, you can read our EPUB vs MOBI vs AZW3 guide for desktop readers .

A quick note on legality and DRM

This guide is intended for managing ebooks you own and are allowed to convert, such as personal documents or DRM-free titles. Many Kindle books are protected by DRM and licensed for use only inside specific apps or devices. Always follow the terms of service and copyright rules that apply to your content—we’re not covering, recommending or endorsing any method of bypassing DRM protections.

The short version

If you just want the main idea, here it is:

Kindle books often come as AZW3 or MOBI files, especially when exported or downloaded in certain ways.
For desktop reading in Wizread, it’s easier to work with EPUB or PDF, which the app supports directly. For a deeper look at how those two formats behave on your computer, see EPUB vs PDF: Which Format Is Better for Reading on Your Computer? .
Where it’s allowed, you can convert AZW3/MOBI to EPUB or PDF using a trusted tool or service, then import the resulting file into Wizread and read it like any other book in your library.

Kindle formats in a nutshell: AZW3 and MOBI

When people talk about “Kindle files”, they often mean one of these:

MOBI

MOBI is an older ebook format that has been used by various devices and tools over time. You might see it if you’ve:

Downloaded older ebooks or archives.
Exported or sideloaded content years ago.
Collected files from legacy readers or software.

AZW3

AZW3 is a more modern, store-specific format used within certain Kindle ecosystems. Compared to MOBI, it can:

Support richer formatting and features for that ecosystem.
Be more tightly integrated with store apps and devices.

Both formats are mainly designed for reading inside a particular ecosystem. When you want a consistent, cross-platform desktop experience, it’s usually more convenient to work with EPUB and PDF instead. If you’re not fully sure what an EPUB actually is, our intro guide to EPUB files on desktop can help.

Why convert to EPUB or PDF for desktop reading?

For a desktop-first workflow, EPUB and PDF have some advantages:

EPUB is an open format that behaves like a digital book, ideal for long-form reading on laptops and desktops.
PDF is perfect when you need a fixed layout that matches print or complex documents.
Both are supported directly in Wizread, so you can import them once and read them from your library on Windows, macOS or Linux.

Normalizing your personal library around EPUB/PDF means you don’t have to think about which app opens which vendor-specific format—you just open Wizread and read. For more on how these two formats compare in actual use, see our EPUB vs PDF comparison for computer reading .

High-level conversion workflow

Without going into tool-specific instructions, here’s the general pattern for handling suitable Kindle books you’re allowed to convert:

Identify the file you’re working with.
Confirm that you have an AZW3 or MOBI file and that you’re allowed to convert it (for example, a personal document or a DRM-free ebook).
Choose your target format.
Decide whether you want to end up with an EPUB (better for book-like reading) or a PDF (better when you care about fixed layout).
Use a trusted conversion method.
Use a reputable conversion tool or service that supports your starting format and target format, and clearly states how it handles licensing and DRM.
Check the converted file.
Make sure the resulting EPUB or PDF opens correctly in a basic viewer before importing it into Wizread.

If a file is DRM-protected, many tools will not be able to convert it in a way that’s consistent with store terms. In those cases, you typically need to keep using the official apps or devices associated with that ecosystem.

Choosing between EPUB and PDF as your target

Both EPUB and PDF will work in Wizread, but they serve slightly different purposes:

Convert to EPUB if…

The book is mostly text (novels, non-fiction, essays).
You want a more flexible, book-like reading experience.
You read on different monitors and want the layout to adapt.

Convert to PDF if…

The document has complex layout, figures or tables.
You care about each page looking exactly a certain way.
You may also want to print or share it in a fixed format.

If you’re planning to read a lot on your computer, it can also help to tweak how EPUB and PDF are displayed. For tips on that, see how to make reading EPUB and PDF more comfortable on desktop .

Importing your converted EPUB/PDF into Wizread

Once you have a clean EPUB or PDF version of your book, the rest is straightforward. The import flow is the same as for any other file in Wizread.

Step 1 – Open Wizread

Launch Wizread on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Make sure the app window is visible next to the folder with your converted files.

Step 2 – Import the book

You can add the converted file (EPUB or PDF) to your Wizread library in two ways:

Drag & drop
Drag the converted .epub or .pdf from your file manager and drop it into the Wizread window.
Use the “Import book” icon
In the top navigation bar, click the Import book icon, then choose your EPUB or PDF in the file picker.

Wizread will add the book to your library so you can treat it like any other title you’ve imported.

Step 3 – Click “Read”

Find the newly imported book in your Wizread library.
Click the Read action associated with that title.
Wizread opens the reading view, focusing entirely on the book’s content.

From here, you can read and take notes just like with any other EPUB or PDF in Wizread. If you want to fine-tune the experience further, our guide on reading PDF files like ebooks on your desktop pairs well with this workflow.

Organizing converted books in your desktop library

Once you start converting books into EPUB or PDF for desktop, a bit of structure makes life easier:

Use clear filenames like Author Name - Book Title.epub or Author Name - Book Title.pdf.
Keep converted files in a dedicated Books or Library folder so you know where Wizread imports are coming from.
Periodically remove duplicate or low-quality conversions to keep your library simple and focused.

For a more complete system across Windows, macOS and Linux, you can follow our guide on organizing your ebook library on desktop .

Recap: bringing Kindle books into your desktop reading flow

To bring suitable Kindle content into your Wizread-powered desktop setup:

Start from an AZW3 or MOBI file you’re allowed to convert.
Convert it to EPUB or PDF using a trusted method that respects DRM and licensing.
Open Wizread on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Import the converted file via drag & drop or the Import book icon so it appears in your library.
Click Read to open the reading view and go through the book like any other title, with your notes and progress in one place.

Once you’ve normalized your library around EPUB and PDF, switching between different stores or devices becomes less important—your actual reading happens in one consistent place on your desktop. To make that reading more pleasant over time, you can also look at how to make reading EPUB and PDF more comfortable on desktop and how to handle EPUB and PDF files safely on your computer .