Anecdotally, I've become aware that the Windows Kindle installer version 1.17 works fine for downloading your paid-for Kindle books and format-shifting them or

Anecdotally, I've become aware that the Windows Kindle installer version 1.17 works fine for downloading your paid-for Kindle books and format-shifting them or making a personal back-up in a more open form. That information was current about a year or so ago; hopefully that version has not been hobbled since. Also, disable auto-updating. I strongly suggest you only use it for your own purchases. Authors need to heat and eat too.