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Help - Basics - Adobe PDF eBooks

• What is Adobe® Digital Editions?
• What are the features of Adobe Digital Editions?
• How is an Adobe PDF eBook different from a typical PDF file?
• What is a 'digital edition'?
• How can I get Adobe Digital Editions?
• How much does Adobe Digital Editions cost?
• On what platforms does Adobe Digital Editions run?
• Do I need additional software in order to use Adobe Digital Editions?
• How can I get Adobe Flash® Player?
• How much does Adobe Flash Player cost?
• I already have Adobe Reader installed. Should I uninstall it?
• What is 'activation'?
• Do I have to activate Adobe Digital Editions?
• Should I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously or with an Adobe ID?
• How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously?
• How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID?
• How do I activate a supported Sony® Reader using an Adobe ID?
• Can I still use Adobe PDF eBooks I have checked out after upgrading from Adobe Reader to Adobe Digital Editions?
• Can I use Adobe Reader to access the Adobe eBooks available at this site?
• Can I transfer Adobe PDF eBooks to a Sony Reader using Adobe Digital Editions?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to Palm® and Pocket PC devices using Adobe Digital Editions?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to other computers using Adobe Digital Editions?
• Adobe Digital Editions is prompting me to upgrade. What should I do?
• Where are Adobe PDF eBooks saved on my computer?
• How do I return an Adobe PDF eBook early?

What is Adobe® Digital Editions?

Adobe Digital Editions is a free eBook reader used to read DRM-protected PDF and EPUB files. Adobe Digital Editions extends the eBook capabilities that were integrated in previous versions of Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat®, and delivers a simplified, content-centric, user-friendly interface.

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What are the features of Adobe Digital Editions?

• Bookshelves
  • Access and organize eBooks using the 'Library' view. Organize an eBook collection using the default bookshelves and create custom bookshelves. Use the thumbnail view to display cover images of eBooks, or the list view to sort by title, author, date added to the library, date last accessed, publisher, number of pages, or checkout status.
• Multimedia Content
  • Adobe Digital Editions plays video and audio content embedded in eBooks, such as an audio version of music embedded within a book of sheet music or an animated map included in a geography text (with appropriate hardware and software installed).
• Simplified Interface
  • Adobe Digital Editions provides a user-friendly interface that facilitates fast and easy access to eBooks and bookmarks.

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How is an Adobe PDF eBook different from a typical PDF file?

An Adobe PDF eBook is a PDF file that is DRM-protected using Adobe DRM (Digital Rights Management).  DRM allows publishers to protect eBooks from unlawful distribution and to set certain restrictions on content, such as limits on copying and printing.

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What is a 'digital edition'?

Whereas 'Adobe Digital Editions' refers to a specific application, 'digital edition' is another term for 'eBook'. A digital edition is a PDF or EPUB file that is DRM-protected using Adobe DRM (Digital Rights Management).  DRM allows publishers to protect digital content from unlawful distribution and to set certain restrictions on content, such as limits on copying and printing.

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How can I get Adobe Digital Editions?

To review system requirements and download instructions for Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

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How much does Adobe Digital Editions cost?

Adobe Digital Editions is free. To review system requirements and download instructions, click here.

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On what platforms does Adobe Digital Editions run?

Adobe Digital Editions runs on many Windows® and Macintosh™ computers.  For more on supported operating systems and system requirements, click here.

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Do I need additional software in order to use Adobe Digital Editions?

To use Adobe Digital Editions, you need to have Adobe Flash Player installed:

• If you have Windows, Adobe Flash Player 7 (or newer) is required.
• If you have Mac OS® X, Adobe Flash Player 8 (or newer) is required.

Additionally, JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to install Adobe Digital Editions:

• For instructions on enabling JavaScript in your Windows-based browser, click here.
• For instructions on enabling JavaScript in your Macintosh-based browser, click here.

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How can I get Adobe Flash® Player?

Adobe Flash Player is a free download. To review system requirements and download Adobe Flash Player, click here.

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How much does Adobe Flash Player cost?

Adobe Flash Player is a free download.

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I already have Adobe Reader installed. Should I uninstall it?

No, you do not need to uninstall Adobe Reader, but you do need to install Adobe Digital Editions. To review system requirements and download instructions for Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

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What is 'activation'?

Activation of Adobe Digital Editions allows you to read DRM-protected Adobe eBooks. The first time that you open Adobe Digital Editions, you must activate the program. Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously, or by using an Adobe ID.

Anonymous activation allows you to read DRM-protected Adobe eBooks on your computer only.

If you use anonymous activation, note these limitations…

• You will only be able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.
• You will not be able to download an Adobe eBook on more than one computer. After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can only be completed on the same computer.
• You will not be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader.
• You can decide to activate using an Adobe ID at any time. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID which has already been used to activate Adobe Digital Editions on another computer, the Adobe eBooks you originally downloaded when using anonymous activation will no longer work.

Activating Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID allows you to read DRM-protected eBooks on multiple computers as well as transfer Adobe eBooks to supported Sony Reader with v1.1 firmware (or newer) installed. Note that in order to transfer Adobe eBooks to Sony Reader devices, your device will need to be activated using the same Adobe ID as Adobe Digital Editions.

If you use an Adobe ID…

• You will be able to download an Adobe eBook on computers that have been activated with the same Adobe ID (up to 6 computers/devices can be activated using the same Adobe ID).
• After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can be completed on computers activated with the same Adobe ID.
• You will be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader that has been activated with the same Adobe ID.

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Do I have to activate Adobe Digital Editions?

Yes. The first time that you open Adobe Digital Editions, you must activate the program. Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously, or by using an Adobe ID.

Anonymous activation allows you to read DRM-protected Adobe eBooks on your computer only.

If you use anonymous activation, note these limitations…

• You will only be able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.
• You will not be able to download an Adobe eBook on more than one computer. After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can only be completed on the same computer.
• You will not be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader.
• You can decide to activate using an Adobe ID at any time. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID which has already been used to activate Adobe Digital Editions on another computer, the Adobe eBooks you originally downloaded when using anonymous activation will no longer work.

Activating Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID allows you to read DRM-protected eBooks on multiple computers as well as transfer Adobe eBooks to supported Sony Readers with v1.1 firmware (or newer) installed. Note that in order to transfer Adobe eBooks to Sony Reader devices, your device will need to be activated using the same Adobe ID as Adobe Digital Editions.

If you use an Adobe ID…

• You will be able to download an Adobe eBook on computers that have been activated with the same Adobe ID (up to 6 computers/devices can be activated using the same Adobe ID).
• After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can be completed on computers activated with the same Adobe ID.
• You will be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader that has been activated with the same Adobe ID.

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Should I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously or with an Adobe ID?

Activating Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID allows you to do more with Adobe eBooks, such as downloading them on multiple computers and transferring them to supported portable devices. However, this is a matter of personal preference. Before deciding, please consider the following…

If you use anonymous activation, note these limitations…

• You will only be able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.
• You will not be able to download an Adobe eBook on more than one computer. After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can only be completed on the same computer.
• You will not be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader.
• You can decide to activate using an Adobe ID at any time. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID which has already been used to activate Adobe Digital Editions on another computer, the Adobe eBooks you originally downloaded when using anonymous activation will no longer work.

If you use an Adobe ID…

• You will be able to download an Adobe eBook on computers that have been activated with the same Adobe ID (up to 6 computers/devices can be activated using the same Adobe ID).
• After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can be completed on computers activated with the same Adobe ID.
• You will be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader that has been activated with the same Adobe ID.

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How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously?

If you prefer to activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
2. Click 'Continue'.
   The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
3. Select the 'Don't Authorize Computer' option.
4. Click 'Activate'.
   You are prompted to confirm that you do not want to activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID at this time.
5. Select 'Continue'.
6. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

If you choose not to activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID at this time, you may do so later.

To activate Adobe Digital Editions at a later time using an Adobe ID…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Select Library > Authorize Computer….
   The 'Authorize Computer' dialog box is displayed.
3. In the appropriate fields, enter the email address and password for your Adobe ID.
   If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click 'get an Adobe ID online' and follow the instructions to sign up for an Adobe ID.
4. Click 'Activate'.
   Your computer is activated to your Adobe ID.
5. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

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How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID?

To activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
2. Click 'Continue'.
   The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
3. In the appropriate fields, enter the email address and password for your Adobe ID.
   If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click 'get an Adobe ID online' and follow the instructions to sign up for an Adobe ID.
4. Click 'Activate'.
   Your computer is activated to your Adobe ID.
5. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

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How do I activate a supported Sony® Reader using an Adobe ID?

To activate your supported Sony Reader using an Adobe ID…

Note that both Adobe Digital Editions and the Sony Reader must be activated with the same Adobe ID to transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

Also, you must have the Sony eBook Library software installed on your computer to transfer Adobe eBooks to the Sony Reader. To read about and download Sony Reader firmware upgrades and the Sony eBook Library software, click here. Please note that the display of Adobe eBooks on Sony Reader may vary, depending on the nature of the content.

1. Connect the Sony Reader to your computer.
2. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   Adobe Digital Editions launches and detects the Sony Reader. The 'Device Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
3. Click 'Authorize Device'.
   Adobe Digital Editions activates your Sony Reader. You can now transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

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Can I still use Adobe PDF eBooks I have checked out after upgrading from Adobe Reader to Adobe Digital Editions?

Yes. Adobe PDF eBooks can still be used, but if they are already on your computer, they will need to be downloaded again in order to work with Adobe Digital Editions v1.7.1 (or newer).

At this site, you can download eBooks again by accessing your Digital Bookshelf. Click here to login to your account and select the 'My Digital Bookshelf' link. Click the 'Download' link for the title you wish to download.

If the 'Download' link is not available, contact support to reactivate the download link. In your email, please provide your library card number as well as the title of the eBook you wish to download.

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Can I use Adobe Reader to access the Adobe eBooks available at this site?

No. As of March 2009, Adobe discontinued Adobe Reader support for DRM-protected Adobe eBooks. In order to download Adobe eBooks from this site, you must have Adobe Digital Editions installed. For system requirements and download instructions, click here.

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Can I transfer Adobe PDF eBooks to a Sony Reader using Adobe Digital Editions?

Adobe eBooks can be transferred to supported Sony Readers with v1.1 firmware installed. To transfer Adobe eBooks to the Sony Reader, Adobe Digital Editions and the Sony Reader must be activated using the same Adobe ID. Also, you must have the Sony eBook Library software installed on your computer. To read about and download Sony Reader firmware upgrades and the Sony eBook Library software, click here.

Please note that the display of Adobe PDF eBooks on the Sony Reader may vary, depending on the nature of the content.

To transfer Adobe PDF eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Click on the PDF eBook title you wish to transfer to your Sony Reader.
3. Drag the PDF eBook title to the Sony Reader icon in the left pane of Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Copy Documents' dialog box is displayed and the title is transferred.
   When transfer is complete the 'Copy Documents' dialog box closes. You can now disconnect the Sony Reader and enjoy the PDF eBook title on-the-go.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to Palm® and Pocket PC devices using Adobe Digital Editions?

No. Adobe eBooks cannot presently be transferred to Palm and Pocket PC devices using Adobe Digital Editions.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle?

No. The Amazon Kindle does not currently support eBooks protected with Adobe DRM.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to other computers using Adobe Digital Editions?

If you have activated Adobe Digital Editions anonymously, you are only able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.

If you have activated Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID, you are not able to transfer an Adobe eBook title to another computer, but you can download the Adobe eBook on another computer that is activated with the same Adobe ID.

For more information on activating Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

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Adobe Digital Editions is prompting me to upgrade. What should I do?

To ensure that Adobe Digital Editions functions properly, you should upgrade Adobe Digital Editions when prompted. Failure to upgrade Adobe Digital Editions may result in the inability to download or open the Adobe eBooks available at this site. To download the newest version of Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

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Where are Adobe PDF eBooks saved on my computer?

The location to which Adobe eBooks are saved varies by operating system…

• On Windows Vista®, eBook PDF files are saved in Documents > My Digital Editions.
• On Windows XP and Windows 2000, eBook PDF files are saved in My Documents > My Digital Editions.
• On the Mac OS®, eBook PDF files are saved in Documents > Digital Editions.

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How do I return an Adobe PDF eBook early?

To return an Adobe PDF eBook early…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Select the 'Library View' icon (in the upper left corner).
   The Adobe Digital Editions library is displayed.
3. Under the 'Bookshelves' heading, select 'Borrowed'.
4. Click the eBook you want to return.
5. Click the 'Item Options' arrow (in the upper left corner of the selected eBook).
6. Select 'Return Borrowed Item'.
7. Click 'Return' to verify that you want to return the title.
   The eBook is returned to the library collection.

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