AZW DRM Removal Guide: How to Remove DRM from AZW3 & AZW

While many veteran Kindle users are ready to move on to a non-Amazon e-ink device, they often find their Kindle library trapped in Amazon's proprietary AZW and AZW3 formats. To read these books on a new device, removing the AZW DRM is an essential but simple step. In this guide, I'll show you how to remove DRM from AZW3 or AZW using two proven methods: exporting directly from your E-ink device or using the Kindle for PC app. Let's get your Kindle library ready for your next e-reader.

What Are AZW and AZW3 Files

AZW and AZW3 are Amazon's primary proprietary formats used for most of its modern eBooks. Simply put, AZW is the older Kindle-exclusive format, whereas AZW3 is its upgraded successor. Also commonly known as KF8, AZW3 was launched in 2011 alongside the Kindle Fire tablet, offering much richer formatting and styling capabilities compared to the original AZW.

AZW3 has been supported since the 4th generation of Kindle devices. For instance, if you own a Kindle Paperwhite 2, the eBooks exported from it are highly likely to be in the AZW3 format. In addition to direct exports from E-ink devices, local files downloaded via Kindle for PC or Kindle for Mac are also frequently saved in these AZW or AZW3 formats.

So, is it easy to remove DRM from AZW3 or AZW? Absolutely. Whether you are dealing with an AZW3 file exported directly from your e-reader or an AZW file downloaded from Kindle for PC, the encryption can be stripped away effortlessly, even for absolute beginners. Below, we will introduce the specific AZW DRM removal tool you'll need, along with a detailed step-by-step guide.

Method 1: Remove DRM from AZW/AZW3 with Calibre DeDRM Plugin

Calibre has long been the go-to solution for free AZW DRM removal. Since AZW is an older, legacy format, Calibre handles it with remarkable stability. You'll only need the DeDRM plugin to get the job done—no extra KFX plugins required.

Route 1: Remove DRM from AZW via Kindle E-ink Device

Step 1: Install Calibre and the DeDRM Plugin

Download and install the latest version of Calibre on your computer. Next, download the DeDRM plugin archive from its official source and locate the "DeDRM_plugin.zip" file inside.

In Calibre, navigate to Preferences > Plugins > Load plugin from file, select the "DeDRM_plugin.zip" to install it, and restart Calibre to enable the AZW decryption features.

Step 2: Get Your Kindle Serial Number 

On your physical Kindle, go to Settings > Device Options > Device Info to find your 16-digit Serial Number. Write this number down carefully without any spaces, as it is required for the plugin to recognize and decrypt the AZW files associated with your hardware.

Step 3: Configure the DeDRM Plugin 

Return to the Plugins menu in Calibre, find DeDRM under the "File type" section, and click "Customize plugin." Select "eInk Kindle ebooks" from the list, click the green plus icon, and enter your Kindle's Serial Number. Click OK and apply the changes.

Step 4: Import and Decrypt AZW Files 

Connect your Kindle to your computer via USB and locate the "documents" folder within the device's storage. Find the .azw files you wish to unlock and drag them directly into the Calibre main window. Calibre will instantly use the configured serial number to remove Kindle DRM.

Route 2:  Remove DRM from AZW via Kindle for PC

Step 1: Install Kindle App and Calibre 

Install an old version of the Kindle for PC app (before v2.4.0) and the latest version of Calibre. Next, download the DeDRM plugin archive from its official source and locate the "DeDRM_plugin.zip" file inside.

Step 2: Add the DeDRM Plugin to Calibre 

Open Calibre's Preferences, select the Plugins icon, and click "Load plugin from file" to install the DeDRM zip archive you downloaded. This step prepares Calibre to handle background decryption automatically. Make sure to restart Calibre after installation to ensure the plugin is fully active and ready for the next steps.

Step 3: Download AZW Books to Your PC 

Locate your purchased books in the library, right-click them, and select "Download." This will save the books as .azw files in your "My Kindle Content" folder.

Step 4: Decrypt by Importing to Calibre 

Drag downloaded .azw files into the Calibre library. Calibre will automatically detect the protection and remove it during the import. After that, you can click "Convert books" to convert AZW3 to PDF or other formats.

Method 2: Remove DRM from AZW3/AZW with BookFab Kindle Converter

BookFab Kindle Converter is a professional AZW DRM removal software. It requires no plugins to remove DRM from AZW3, AZW, and KFX formats, and can output DRM-free books in PDF or EPUB. Unlike Calibre, it is compatible with the latest version of Kindle for PC, ensuring you can successfully download books purchased and released in 2026.

Step 1: Free Download BookFab

Download BookFab for free and install it on your computer.

Step 2: Download eBooks via Kindle for PC

Open Kindle for PC. In your library, locate the books you want to decrypt, right-click the covers, and select "Download." Ensure the download is 100% complete so that the .azw or .kfx files are stored locally in your "My Kindle Content" folder, making them ready for the conversion process.

Step 3: Sync Your Library with BookFab 

Launch BookFab and navigate to the "Kindle Converter" tab in the left sidebar. The software will automatically scan your computer and detect all books downloaded via the Kindle app. If you don't see your latest purchases, click the "Refresh" button to sync your library.

Step 4: Decrypt and Convert Your eBooks 

Select the books you wish to process from the list. If you need a specific format, in settings, you can adjust the output to convert Kindle to PDF, EPUB, or keep the original format. Finally, click the "Convert & Decrypt" button to start the removal process. Within seconds, your DRM-free files will be saved to your designated output folder.

Note: The steps above are for Windows. On Mac, converting Kindle books to EPUB with BookFab Kindle Converter is even easier, and Kindle for PC is not required. BookFab Kindle Converter for Mac comes with a built-in browser. You only need to select the Kindle Converter module, log in to your Kindle account, choose the book you want to process, click the blue download button in BookFab, select the output format, and remove DRM.

Conclusion

After trying both methods, I feel they can cover most AZW DRM removal situations I would normally run into. If the AZW or AZW3 files come from an older Kindle device, Calibre is still worth using. But for books downloaded through the latest Kindle for PC, especially newer books published after 2025, BookFab Kindle Converter feels much easier and more reliable. Of course, I only recommend using these tools for books you have purchased yourself and for personal reading convenience. Sharing or distributing decrypted books is never acceptable.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and personal use only. Please ensure you own the books before removing DRM and comply with your local laws and Amazon's Terms of Service.