Windows 10 and Windows 11 can open a variety of different file types natively, but that doesn’t yet include EPUB.
Although it’s one of the most popular e-book formats, it means you rely on third-party software to access it.
Fortunately, there are good free options that are compatible with all recent versions of Windows. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is an EPUB file?
EPUB, short for electronic publication, is a file format most commonly associated with electronic books.
With the exception of Amazon’s Kindle (which uses its own AZW files), most e-books and e-readers will use EPUB. That means it’s free from digital rights management (DRM) restrictions that might prevent you from playing it on all your devices.
If you prefer to upload your own books and then download them to your devices, EPUB is the file type you are likely to use. For open source books, manuals, or any royalty-free publication, EPUB is the way to go.
EPUB files can be especially useful for the visually impaired, as you can use text-to-speech software to read them aloud.
For a few years, Microsoft’s Edge browser had built-in EPUB support, but moving to a Chromium version in 2019 removed the feature. To add it back, you will need to use a third-party alternative.
How to Open EPUB Files in Windows Using an Application
There are a few apps you can use to open EPUB files on Windows, but the most popular option is Calibre.
It is an e-book management application that allows you to import, convert and export EPUB files to all your devices. But the relevant feature for this article is the ability to open any EPUB files you’ve added. Here’s how to use it to start reading EPUB books:
- Go to the Caliber website and click on “Download Caliber”
- When done, double click on the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install it
- Open the app, then click the “Add Books” button in the upper right corner
- Select the EPUB file(s) you want to view and wait for them to be imported into Caliber
- Click on any book you see now to highlight it, then click “Show”
- The file will now open in a new window. The functionality is relatively limited, but you can scale it to your liking
But if you actually want to read EPUB files (rather than just opening them to access something specific), Caliber isn’t the best choice. Kobo, Freda, and Icecream EPUB readers are all worth considering.
How to Open EPUB Files on Windows Using a Browser Extension
As powerful as Caliber and other EPUB readers are, they probably aren’t necessary if you just want to open an EPUB file once in a while.
In these situations, a browser extension will be all you need. Google Chrome remains the most popular extension platform, but the likes of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera have a similar selection these days.
This includes the free EPUBReader, which is available for all three. Here’s how to use it:
- Open your browser and install EPUBReader (Chrome/Edge/Firefox/Opera)
- Go to your extension’s settings and make sure it’s enabled
- Click on the EPUBReader icon in the toolbar, then click on the folder icon that appears
- File Explorer will now open. Locate the EPUB file you want to open, then double-click it
- The file will now open in a new tab in your browser, as you can see below
Both methods of opening EPUB files are simple but effective. Which one to choose will depend on whether you just want to read EPUB files or manage them as well.
Of course, arguably the easiest way to read e-books is with a dedicated device. Although Kindles use their own file format, you’ll probably read EPUB files on most other eReaders.
