How to Open Lit Files

Removing DRM

1. 
   Understand the process. LIT files are a form of eBook that is no longer supported. It was developed by Microsoft for use with the Microsoft Reader program. Its use was discontinued in 2012 and the Microsoft Reader program is no longer available for download. You'll want to convert them to a friendlier format that is supported by all your devices. Installing an old version of Microsoft Reader would only let you to view the LIT files on your current computer. Converting the files will allow you to transfer them to any of your devices, including an iPad or Kindle. It will also make it easier to open them on your computer in a modern eBook reader.^{[1] X Research source}

   1. LIT files often have DRM (Digital Rights Management) which prevents them from being read on your newer devices. Converting the files will remove this DRM and allow you to use your files as you'd like.
   2. You must remove the DRM using the Windows computer that was originally authorized to open the files. There is no other way to remove this DRM short of taking screenshots of each page.
   3. If your LIT files aren't protected by DRM, you can skip down to the next method.
2. 
   Download Convert LIT. This tool will convert your LIT files into an open format that works on many readers and can easily be converted into other eBook formats. ConvertLIT will remove any DRM from the file. This will allow you to transfer it to your other devices. This should only be used as fair-use to remove DRM from files that you own. It should not be used to pirate eBooks.

   1. You can download the graphical version of ConvertLIT from dukelupus.com/convertlit.gui. You can get the Command Prompt tool from convertlit.com. This guide will cover the graphical version.
   2. There is an unsupported version of ConvertLIT for Mac available from convertlit.com. You'll need to remove any DRM using the Windows computer that was originally authorized.
3. 
   Grab your computer's DRM key file. You'll need this file to remove the DRM from the LIT files. This file is only available on the computer that was originally allowed to open the LIT files. You can retrieve the key using ConvertLIT.

   1. Click the File menu in ConvertLIT and select "Run Reader key recovery tool".
   2. Accept the license agreement and follow the prompts to load the authorization key in Convert LIT.
   3. There is no way to remove the DRM without access to the original key. Microsoft has shut down the activation servers, so new keys cannot be generated. If you no longer have access to the original DRM key file, any DRM-protected books you have are essentially worthless.
4. 
   Click the "Downconvert" tab in ConvertLIT. This will open the page that allows you to remove the DRM from the LIT files with the proper key. If the LIT file doesn't have DRM, use the "Extract" tab instead. The process is the same for both tabs.

   1. You can select the folder that you want the converted files to appear.
   2. By default, ConvertLIT will add ".downconverted" to each file. You can uncheck this box if you don't need the converted files labeled.
5. 
   Click the "Down concert" button to begin removing the DRM. The button has a typo, and should read "Downconvert". You can monitor the progress in the bottom frame. The LIT file will be converted into a collection of files. These will include several HTML files, some images, and an OPF metadata file.^{[2] X Research source}

   1. Click the "Extract" button once you're satisfied with your settings if you're using the Extract tab.