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Updating Microsoft Reader

Read this page to find answers to frequently asked questions about updating Microsoft Reader.

How can I check to see if I have the latest version of Microsoft Reader? Why can't I activate my new copy of Microsoft Reader? I have a Passport, but when I click YES on the Passport site, I see the same question repeatedly. Why can't I download eBooks? The eBooks I download seem to download correctly, but they do not appear in my Library. If I upgrade Microsoft Reader, will the eBooks I've purchased and downloaded still be available? Can I move eBooks to my Pocket PC device? If I already have eBooks in the older version of Microsoft Reader, should I activate the new version using the same information? When I try to open an eBook in my Library, a message pops up: "The digital security that protects this ebook has been updated." Why do I see this message? When I try to open an eBook in my Library, a message pops up: "Microsoft Reader is no longer able to access the book." Why do I see this message? I can open eBooks on my PC, but when I try to open eBooks on my Pocket PC, a message pops up: "Microsoft Reader is no longer able to access the book." Why do I see this message? I'm having trouble updating my Pocket PC device. Why can't I uninstall Microsoft Reader and install the new version?

How can I check to see if I have the latest version of Microsoft Reader?

On a desktop or laptop PC:

1. Click the Help tab in Microsoft Reader, then click How To.
2. Using the arrow buttons on the screen, or the arrow keys on your keyboard, navigate to Page 1.
3. In the main index on Page 1, select About Microsoft Reader. If you see Version 2.1.1, you have the latest version of Microsoft Reader. If you see a previous version, you have an outdated version of Microsoft Reader installed. Uninstall your old version using the Add/Remove Programs control panel , then download the latest installation file on the the PC download page .

On a Pocket PC:

1. Tap the Settings tab in Microsoft Reader.
2. Tap Go to, and tap "About Microsoft Reader." If you see Version 2.2.2, you have the latest version of Microsoft Reader. If you do not see the "About Microsoft Reader" option under the Go to tab, your device is running an outdated version of Microsoft Reader. Uninstall your current version of Microsoft Reader , then install the new version. If your version of Microsoft Reader is installed in ROM (which means it was preinstalled by the manufacturer), you cannot uninstall Microsoft Reader. You can, however, install a RAM version of the program.


To ensure you've got the new version of Microsoft Reader on your Pocket PC device, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Start menu, then Settings.
2. Choose the System tab, and select Remove Programs.
3. Highlight "Microsoft Reader." Tap Remove to uninstall Microsoft Reader. If Microsoft Reader does not appear in this list, your version is installed in ROM: you may continue through the rest of these steps.
4. Visit the Pocket PC download page to download the latest version of Microsoft Reader.
5. When prompted, indicate that you'd like to install Microsoft Reader. You'll need to confirm this option on your PC and on your Pocket PC. Be sure the device is cradled when you run the installation program.
6. While your device is cradled, visit the activation pages to activate your Pocket PC: sign in, then choose Activate my Pocket PC.

On a Tablet PC:

1. Tap the Help tab in Microsoft Reader, then click How To.
2. Using the arrow buttons on the screen, navigate to Page 1.
3. In the main index on Page 1, select About Microsoft Reader. If you see Version 2.5.1, you have the latest version of Microsoft Reader. If you see a previous version, you have an outdated version of Microsoft Reader installed. Uninstall your old version using the Add/Remove Programs control panel , then download the latest installation file on the the Tablet PC download page .

Why can't I activate my new copy of Microsoft Reader? I have a Passport, but when I click YES on the Passport site, I see the same question repeatedly.
You may have to delete your Passport cookie to activate Microsoft Reader. To remove Passport cookies:

If you're using Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools, then Internet Options.
2. Under Temporary Internet files, click Settings.
3. Click the View Files button.
4. Find, select, and delete the following files (you can right-click to show the Delete command):
    [YourName]@passport.com
    [YourName]@passporttest.com
    Cookie:[your name]@das.microsoft.com/
    Cookie:[your name]@passport.com/
    Cookie:[your name]@passport.com/ppsecure
5. Close all your browser windows, and reopen your browser to the Microsoft activation site.

If you're using Netscape Navigator
1. Close all Netscape instances.
2. Use Notepad to edit [Netscape Install Drive]:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\[your name]\cookies.txt.
3. Remove all lines that start with "passport.com" and "das.microsoft.com."
4. Reopen your browser to the Microsoft activation site.

Why can't I download eBooks? The eBooks I download seem to download correctly, but they do not appear in my Library.
Two methods may work to ensure you're able to view eBooks after you download them:

Method 1:

If you'd like to be prompted for a download location for the file type, please follow the steps below:

1. Double click My Computer on the Desktop.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. On the File Types tab, highlight the LIT extension, Microsoft Reader's file type.
4. Click "Advanced."
5. Click to select the checkbox "Confirm open after download."
6. Click to select the checkbox "Always show extension."
7. Click OK.
8. Click OK again.

After making these changes, try to download the eBook again and save the .LIT file to a folder that is easy to locate. After downloading the e-book, you can directly double click the files to open them with Microsoft Reader.

When you download eBooks, be sure to choose Save when you are prompted "Would you like to open the file or save it to your computer?" To find them easily, save the files to Desktop, then double click My Documents folder on the Desktop, double click My Library and then copy and paste the eBooks save on the Desktop to the My Library folder. You can double click the eBooks to open.

Method 2

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Folder Options.
3. Click the File Types tab.
4. Scroll down to and click the .lit extension.
5. Click Advanced.
6. Verify that Confirm Open After Download is selected.

If you don't connect to the Internet through a firewall or server, try the following steps to activate again. We recommend you perform these steps in Internet Explorer (IE).

Step 1:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. On the File menu, click Import and Export.
3. Click Next.
4. Select "Export Cookies", and click Next.
5. Select a path, input the file name, and click Next.
6. Click Finish.
7. Click OK on the popup window. It will prompt "successfully exported cookies!".

Step 2:

1. Close all the Internet Explorer Windows.
2. Right click the Internet Explorer icon on the Desktop and click Properties.
3. Click the "Settings" button under "Temporary Internet files", and click "View Objects".
4. Right click "DASWebDownload Class" and choose Remove. (Important)
5. Close the "Downloaded Program Files" window.
   Note: If it does not exist, please ignore it and go to the next steps.
6. On the Internet Properties" window and click "Delete Files". Click Yes/Ok to confirm.
7. Click the Clear History button, and then click Yes/Ok to clear your history.
8. Click the Delete Cookies button, click Yes/Ok. (Important)
9. Click the Security tab, click on Internet, click Default Level, and then move the slider to set the level as Medium-low. Then, click Apply. Follow the same steps for each content zone (Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, etc.).
10. Click the Advanced tab, and click the Restore Defaults button.
11. Click OK, close all windows.

Step 3:

1. Then connect to log in, and then log out again so you are not signed in to Passport.
   
   Note: If you cannot log in with your Passport account, we recommend you contact our .Net Passport Support Team to receive the detailed information about your Passport account. I have included the link for your reference.

Step 4:

1. Next, open and go through the process to activate Reader again. Make sure that you receive the following message that confirms that the activation is successful.
   
   " Activation components have been successfully downloaded to your device and installed."

If I upgrade Microsoft Reader, will the eBooks I've purchased and downloaded still be available?
To view your current library of eBooks, you simply have to activate the newly updated versions of Microsoft Reader (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet and Pocket PC) using the same Passport account you used previously.

Can I move eBooks to my Pocket PC device?
Yes. Make sure that you have updated the Reader application on your Pocket PC and re-activated your device using the same Passport account you used to activate your desktop, laptop or Tablet PC. Then, you can simply copy your eBooks to your activated Pocket PC to read them there as well.

If I already have eBooks in an older version of Microsoft Reader, should I activate the new version using the same information?
Yes, you must re-activate using the same Passport persona to continue reading the eBooks in your previous library.

When I try to open an eBook in my Library, a message pops up: "The digital security that protects this ebook has been updated." Why do I see this message?
If your Microsoft Reader has not been activated, you'll receive this message.

Updating Microsoft Reader is a two-step process: each of your reading devices must be updated with the Reader software, and activated to allow you to read premium eBook titles that are copy-protected by publishers at the "Owner Exclusive" level. When you activate Microsoft Reader, you identify yourself as the person who will be using your reading device.

When I try to open an eBook in my Library, a message pops up: "Microsoft Reader is no longer able to access the book." Why do I see this message?
You'll receive this message when your Microsoft Reader software is out of date. Updating is a simple two-step process: each of your reading devices must be updated with the Reader software, and activated to allow you to read premium eBook titles that are copy-protected by publishers at the "Owner Exclusive" level.

To update and activate your desktop or laptop PC, follow these steps:

If you have Microsoft Reader installed, follow these steps first:

1. Click the Start menu, and choose Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select Microsoft Reader, and click Change/Remove. When prompted, click Yes to remove Microsoft Reader from your computer.
4. Continue with the steps below.

If you do not have Microsoft Reader installed, follow these steps:

1. Visit the PC download page to download the latest version of Microsoft Reader.
2. When prompted, indicate that you'd like to install Microsoft Reader.
3. Visit the activation pages to activate your PC.

To update and activate your Pocket PC, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Start menu, then Settings.
2. Choose the System tab, and select Memory.
3. Choose the running Programs tab, and highlight "Microsoft Reader." Tap Stop to close Microsoft Reader.
4. Visit the Pocket PC download page to download the latest version of Microsoft Reader.
5. When prompted, indicate that you'd like to re-install Microsoft Reader. You'll need to confirm this option on your PC and on your Pocket PC. Be sure the device is cradled when you run the installation program.
6. While your device is cradled, visit the activation pages to activate your Pocket PC: sign in, then choose Activate my Pocket PC.

I can open eBooks on my PC, but when I try to open eBooks on my Pocket PC, a message pops up: "Microsoft Reader is no longer able to access the book." Why do I see this message?
You'll receive this message when your Microsoft Reader software is out of date. Updating is a simple two-step process: each of your reading devices must be updated with the Reader software, and activated to allow you to read premium eBook titles that are copy-protected by publishers at the "Owner Exclusive" level.

To update and activate your Pocket PC, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Start menu, then Settings.
2. Choose the System tab, and select Memory.
3. Choose the running Programs tab, and highlight "Microsoft Reader." Tap Stop to close Microsoft Reader.
4. Visit the Pocket PC download page to download the latest version of Microsoft Reader.
5. When prompted, indicate that you'd like to re-install Microsoft Reader. You'll need to confirm this option on your PC and on your Pocket PC. Be sure the device is cradled when you run the installation program.
6. While your device is cradled, visit the activation pages to activate your Pocket PC: sign in, then choose Activate my Pocket PC.

I'm having trouble updating my Pocket PC device. Why can't I uninstall Microsoft Reader and install the new version?
If your version of Microsoft Reader is installed in ROM (which means it was preinstalled by the manufacturer), you cannot uninstall Microsoft Reader. You can, however, install a RAM version of the program.

To ensure you've got the new version of Microsoft Reader on your Pocket PC device, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Start menu, then Settings.
2. Choose the System tab, and select Remove Programs.
3. Highlight "Microsoft Reader." Tap Remove to uninstall Microsoft Reader. If Microsoft Reader does not appear in this list, your version is installed in ROM: you may continue through the rest of these steps.
4. Visit the Pocket PC download page to download the latest version of Microsoft Reader.
5. When prompted, indicate that you'd like to install Microsoft Reader. You'll need to confirm this option on your PC and on your Pocket PC. Be sure the device is cradled when you run the installation program.
6. While your device is cradled, visit the activation pages to activate your Pocket PC: sign in, then choose Activate my Pocket PC.