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Microsoft Reader
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<h2 id="e-book-reader">E-book Reader</h2> <p>The e-book reader was available for download from Microsoft as a free application for computers running <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Windows</a> and on PDAs running <a href="/facts/Pocket_PC/XPIddk0S">Pocket PC</a>, where it has been built into the ROM since <a href="/facts/Windows_CE/bMUhjgqQ">Windows CE</a> 3.0.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> Microsoft Reader was compatible with <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a>, but was not supported on newer <a href="/facts/Windows_Phone_7/smNsH1IJ">Windows Phone 7</a> devices. </p><p>Microsoft Reader displays books in the .LIT (shortened from "literature") format, an extension of the <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Compressed_HTML_Help/IXu6orUI">Microsoft Compressed HTML Help</a> format to include <a href="/facts/Digital_rights_management/4AF8JmDt">DRM</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> These e-books can be purchased and downloaded from online stores. </p><p>The notable features of Microsoft Reader are <a href="/facts/ClearType/3ohux1K0">ClearType</a> for increased readability on small screens, highlighting and doodling designed for quick note-taking, text notes, and searching. The PC version also has an optional <a href="/facts/Plug-in_(computing)/351Du3Wu">plug-in</a> for <a href="/facts/Text-to-speech/ceTczTv9">text-to-speech</a>, enabling books to be read out loud. </p><p>Companies such as <a href="/facts/Barnes_%2526_Noble/IIcN2meE">Barnes & Noble</a> and <a href="/facts/Amazon.com/YzUTUVE8">Amazon.com</a> partnered with Microsoft to provide books in the format when released in 2000.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p>In August 2011, Microsoft announced they were discontinuing both Microsoft Reader and the use of the .lit format for ebooks at the end of August 2012, and ending sales of the format on November 8, 2011.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <h3>Compatibility</h3> <table><tbody><tr><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Latest version</th><th>Release date</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Windows_95/1E1L93qC">Windows 95</a></td><td><a href="http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/office/18575/microsoft_reader.html">1.5</a></td><td>2000-08-08</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4.0</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a></td><td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090315052022/http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/pc.aspx">2.1.1</a></td><td>2003-06-26</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">Windows XP</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2003/3vIJam5L">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Vista</a> (with <a href="/facts/Ultra-mobile_PC/uh0bzTeU">Origami</a> Experience Pack or Touch Pack), <a href="/facts/Windows_Home_Server/ECTKVugv">Home Server</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2008/hrcPjTCH">2008</a></td><td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160816093148/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=18364">2.6.1</a></td><td>2007-07-10</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Pocket PC 2000</a></td><td>1.0 (in ROM)</td><td>2000-04-19</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile_2002/YfskR7FS">Pocket PC 2002</a></td><td><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2507a77a-5485-47d8-a560-3f182fbcdf8f">2.4</a></td><td>2005-03-24</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Pocket_PC_2003/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile 2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile_2003_SE/YfskR7FS">2003 SE</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">5.0</a></td><td><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=B63689E0-CD2D-431D-8617-B0D30EC589DC">2.4.1</a></td><td>2005-11-23</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Winmo_6/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile 6.0</a>, <a href="/facts/Winmo_6.1/YfskR7FS">6.1</a></td><td><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5f77654d-c8b8-4eca-9a2d-1e6b8ded8fc2">2.4.2</a></td><td>2009-09-10</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3>Copy protection</h3> <p>Books accessible by Reader can be protected, or unprotected, only allowing access to protected books if the user has activated the software. This can be accomplished by registering using their <a href="/facts/Microsoft_account/unm2BvRt">Passport</a> account. Only six Reader installations can be activated per account, after which, Microsoft requires the user to request further activations. </p> <h3>Creating .LIT files</h3> <p><i>Read in Microsoft Reader</i> is an add-on, available from Microsoft, that can be used with Microsoft Word (versions 2000, 2002 and 2003) to create .LIT extension e-books.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> This software is not fully compatible with Office 2007. </p> <h3>Version history</h3> <h4>Desktop</h4> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Release date</th><th>Major changes</th></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_95/1E1L93qC">Windows 95</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a></td><td>2000-08-08</td><td>Initial version for desktops</td></tr><tr><td>2.0</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a></td><td>2001-10-03</td><td>Major overhaulSupports premium eBooks</td></tr><tr><td>2.5</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">Windows XP</a></td><td>2002-06-25</td><td>Support for <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Tablet_PC/rMu1N9w8">Tablet PC</a>Pen and Ink features</td></tr><tr><td>2.1.1</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a></td><td>2003-06-26</td><td>Security update</td></tr><tr><td>2.6</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_XP_Tablet_PC_Edition/ryUtCmRe">Windows XP Tablet PC Edition</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Vista Ultimate Edition</a> (with <a href="/facts/Ultra-mobile_PC/uh0bzTeU">Origami</a> Experience Pack or Touch Pack)</td><td>2007-07-09</td><td>Audible support for newer audio formatsSecurity and performance updates</td></tr></tbody></table> <h4>Pocket PC</h4> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Release date</th><th>Major changes</th></tr><tr><td>1.0</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">2000</a></td><td>2000-04-19</td><td>Initial version for Pocket PCs.</td></tr><tr><td>2.0</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">2002</a></td><td>2001-10-03</td><td>Compatible with Windows Mobile 2002Major overhaulSupports premium eBooks</td></tr><tr><td>2.2.1</td><td rowspan="3"><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">2002</a>, <a href="/facts/Wm2003/YfskR7FS">2003</a></td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2.2.2</td><td>2003</td><td>Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003</td></tr><tr><td>2.2.3</td><td>2004-02-04</td><td>Fixes activation problems</td></tr><tr><td>2.3</td><td rowspan="2"><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">2002</a>, <a href="/facts/Wm2003/YfskR7FS">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile_2003_SE/YfskR7FS">2003 SE</a></td><td>2004-07-13</td><td>Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 SE</td></tr><tr><td>2.4</td><td>2005-03-24</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2.4.1</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Wm2003/YfskR7FS">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile_2003_SE/YfskR7FS">2003 SE</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">5</a>, <a href="/facts/Winmo_6/YfskR7FS">6.0</a></td><td>2005-11-23</td><td>Compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and 6</td></tr><tr><td>2.4.2</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a> <a href="/facts/Wm2003/YfskR7FS">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile_2003_SE/YfskR7FS">2003 SE</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">5</a>, <a href="/facts/Winmo_6/YfskR7FS">6.0</a>, <a href="/facts/Winmo_6.1/YfskR7FS">6.1</a></td><td>2009-09-10</td><td>Compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1</td></tr></tbody></table> <h4>Read in Microsoft Reader</h4> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Release date</th><th>Major changes</th></tr><tr><td>1.1</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a></td><td>2001-09-04</td><td>Initial version with support for Word 2000, 2002</td></tr><tr><td>1.1.3</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2003/3vIJam5L">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Vista</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Home_Server/ECTKVugv">Home Server</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2008/hrcPjTCH">2008</a></td><td>2006-02-21</td><td>Conversion support for Word 2003. Supports Word 2000, 2002, 2003. Incompatible with Office 2007</td></tr></tbody></table> <h4>Software Development Kit</h4> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Release date</th><th>Major changes</th></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2003/3vIJam5L">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Vista</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Home_Server/ECTKVugv">Home Server</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2008/hrcPjTCH">2008</a></td><td>2001-10-04</td><td>Initial version</td></tr></tbody></table> <h4>Text to Speech</h4> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a></th><th>Release date</th><th>Major changes</th></tr><tr><td>1.0</td><td><a href="/facts/Windows_NT_4.0/EcKYxrkx">Windows NT 4</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_98/6qtq4oJm">98</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_2000/amJIt9gz">2000</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Me/fjENFRNa">Me</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_XP/IozrkAYS">XP</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2003/3vIJam5L">2003</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_Home_Server/ECTKVugv">Home Server</a></td><td>2005-05-19</td><td>Initial version</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3>Third party</h3> <p>Notable third-party apps and tools to convert and read MS .LIT format on various devices include: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Calibre_(software)/HHFeh7Lf">Calibre</a>; an <a href="/facts/Open-source_software/HzTaB8E9">open source</a> e-book library manager that runs on many environments; it can convert .LIT format files</li> <li><a href="/facts/Lexcycle_Stanza/Jf4VHWYv">Lexcycle Stanza</a> (discontinued); a freeware program for reading eBooks; can read .LIT format, supports <a href="/facts/IOS/mK5cggH5">iOS</a>.</li></ul> <h2 id="document-viewer">Document viewer</h2> <p>In 2012, Microsoft released a Microsoft Reader <a href="/facts/Metro_UI/uHqlK6g1">Metro</a>-style app with <a href="/facts/Windows_8/eRtw96T3">Windows 8</a> for reading documents in PDF, XPS and TIFF formats. Reader was included in <a href="/facts/Windows_8.1/HRWIv7Mn">Windows 8.1</a> and was a free download from the <a href="/facts/Windows_Store/tnnWFhAF">Windows Store</a> for Windows 10. Support for <a href="/facts/Windows_10_Mobile/JGjuL0fl">Windows 10 Mobile</a> ended in 2016 in favor of opening PDF documents within the <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Edge_Legacy/fmuGF7t0">Microsoft Edge [Legacy]</a> browser.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> Microsoft discontinued the application in February 2018, as PDF reading functionality was moved to Edge [Legacy] on desktops as well.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Rugged Handhelds and PDAs". Rugged PC Review.com. 2000-04-19. Retrieved 2021-12-02. <a href="https://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_handhelds_pocketpcintro.html" target="_blank">https://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_handhelds_pocketpcintro.html</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Salomon, David; Motta, Giovanni; Bryant, David (CON) (2009). Handbook of Data Compression (5th ed.). Springer. ISBN 978-1-84882-902-2. <a href="978-1-84882-902-2" target="_blank">978-1-84882-902-2</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"B&N, RH and S&S in deal with Microsoft | the Bookseller". <a href="https://www.thebookseller.com/news/bn-rh-and-ss-deal-microsoft" target="_blank">https://www.thebookseller.com/news/bn-rh-and-ss-deal-microsoft</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Microsoft Reader". Microsoft. 2005-10-12. Archived from the original on 2005-10-12. Retrieved 2023-07-04. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051012094653/http://www.microsoft.com/reader/default.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20051012094653/http://www.microsoft.com/reader/default.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Download details: Word 2002/2000 Add-in: Read in Microsoft Reader 1.1". Microsoft. 2004-08-31. Archived from the original on 2004-08-31. Retrieved 2023-07-04. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040831100834/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=199BE874-1F5E-4FB7-8FE0-6BCA50C7D356&displaylang=EN" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20040831100834/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=199BE874-1F5E-4FB7-8FE0-6BCA50C7D356&displaylang=EN</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Microsoft to end PDF Reader development, wants you to use Edge - OnMSFT.com". <a href="https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-end-pdf-reader-development-wants-use-edge" target="_blank">https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-end-pdf-reader-development-wants-use-edge</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Waghray, akshay (2017-11-21). "Microsoft to discontinue its PDF Reader App in February 2018". Windows Latest. Retrieved 2023-07-04. <a href="https://www.windowslatest.com/2017/11/21/microsoft-to-discontinue-its-pdf-reader-app-in-february-2018/" target="_blank">https://www.windowslatest.com/2017/11/21/microsoft-to-discontinue-its-pdf-reader-app-in-february-2018/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>