Microsoft Reader

Microsoft Reader
Developer(s) Microsoft
Initial release August 2000 (2000-08)
Last release
2.1.1 (Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, XP) 2.6.1 (Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack))
2.4.2 (Windows Mobile 6)
Operating system Windows
Type E-book reader
License Proprietary freeware
Website www.microsoft.com/reader
Microsoft Reader
Filename extension .lit
Developed by Microsoft
Initial release August 2000 (2000-08)
Latest release
2.4.1
(August 2012 (2012-08))
Extended from .chm
Standard No

Microsoft Reader can refer to a Microsoft application for reading e-books, first released in August 2000, or a Microsoft application for reading PDF and XPS files, first released for Windows 8.1.

In 2013, Microsoft released a Microsoft Reader application for reading documents in PDF, XPS and TIFF formats. Reader is included in Windows 8.1 and is a free download from the Windows Store for Windows 10.

From 2000 to 2012, Microsoft Reader was the name of an e-book reader.

E-book Reader

The e-book reader was available for download from Microsoft as a free application for computers running Windows. It can also be used on a Pocket PC, where it has been built into the ROM since Windows CE 3.0. Microsoft Reader was not supported on newer Windows Phone 7 devices, but it was compatible with Windows Mobile.

Microsoft Reader displays books in the .LIT (shortened from "literature") format, an extension of the Microsoft Compressed HTML Help format to include DRM.[1] These e-books can be purchased and downloaded from online stores.

The notable features of Microsoft Reader are ClearType 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 plug-in for text-to-speech, enabling books to be read out loud.

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.[2]

Compatibility

Operating systems Latest version Release date
Windows 95 1.5 2000-08-08
Windows NT 4.0, 98, 2000, Me 2.1.1 2003-06-26
Windows XP, 2003, Vista (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack), Home Server, 2008 2.6.1 2007-07-10
Pocket PC 2000 1.0 (in ROM) 2000-04-19
Pocket PC 2002 2.4 2005-03-24
Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5.0 2.4.1 2005-11-23
Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1 2.4.2 2009-09-10

Copy protection

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 Passport account. Only six Reader installations can be activated per account, after which, Microsoft requires the user to request further activations.

Version history

Desktop

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.5 Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000, Me 2000-08-08 Initial version for desktops
2.0 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP 2001-10-03 Major overhaul
Supports premium eBooks
2.5 Windows XP 2002-06-25 Support for Tablet PC
Pen and Ink features
2.1.1 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP 2003-06-26 Security update
2.6 Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Vista Ultimate Edition (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack) 2007-07-09 Audible support for newer audio formats
Security and performance updates

Pocket PC

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.0 Windows Mobile 2000 2000-04-19 Initial version for Pocket PCs.
2.0 Windows Mobile 2002 2001-10-03 Compatible with Windows Mobile 2002
Major overhaul
Supports premium eBooks
2.2.1 Windows Mobile 2002, 2003 N/A
2.2.2 2003 Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003
2.2.3 2004-02-04 Fixes activation problems
2.3 Windows Mobile 2002, 2003, 2003 SE 2004-07-13 Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 SE
2.4 2005-03-24
2.4.1 Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5, 6.0 2005-11-23 Compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and 6
2.4.2 Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5, 6.0, 6.1 2009-09-10 Compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1

Read in Microsoft Reader

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.1 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP 2001-09-04 Initial version with support for Word 2000, 2002
1.1.3 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2006-02-21 Conversion support for Word 2003. Supports Word 2000, 2002, 2003. Incompatible with Office 2007

Software Development Kit

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.5 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2001-10-04 Initial version

Text to Speech

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.0 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Home Server 2005-05-19 Initial version

Creating .LIT files

Read in Microsoft Reader 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.[3] This software is not fully compatible with Office 2007.

Third party

Some third party apps and tools allow converting and reading MS .LIT format on various devices, including:

References

  1. ↑ Handbook of Data Compression Authors David Salomon, Giovanni Motta, David (CON) Bryant Edition 5, illustrated Publisher Springer, 2009 ISBN 1-84882-902-7, ISBN 978-1-84882-902-2 Length 1359 pages
  2. ↑ "Microsoft is discontinuing Microsoft Reader effective August 30, 2012, which includes download access of the Microsoft Reader application from the Microsoft Reader website."Microsoft Reader
  3. ↑ Read in Microsoft Reader
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