Microsoft is discontinuing its eBook platform. Long before EPUB and Amazon Kindle books had become the de facto standard, the Microsoft Reader .lit format was one of the most popular eBook formats around. I read some of my first digital books using Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC (back before Microsoft’s mobile operating system was rebranded as Windows Mobile and then Windows Phone).
The company has also offered Reader software for desktop and laptop computers as well as tablet-style devices.
Starting on November 8th, 2011 you won’t be able to purchase any new books in the .lit format, and Microosft will stop offering Reader software from its website on August 30th, 2012.
If you’ve already purchased eBooks using the .lit format, you can continue to read them using Reader software or any other compatible client after that point.
You can use Calibre or other eBook software to convert DRM-free .lit files to EPUB or another format. If your books have DRM you’ll need to remove the copy-protection first using software such as ConvertLIT first.
