How to Access Kindle Paperwhite Files & Folders on Windows

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Plus, what to do if your Kindle doesn't show up in Windows

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 Fact Checked

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Accessing Kindle Folders

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Transferring Books & Documents

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Troubleshooting

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Video

If you have a Kindle Paperwhite, you can connect it to your Windows desktop or laptop computer using a USB cable and use File Manager to browse its files and folders. Keep reading to learn how to open Kindle Paperwhite folders on your Windows PC, how to transfer files and ebooks to and from your Kindle, and what to do if your Kindle isn't recognized by your PC.

Quick Steps

Connect the Kindle Paperwhite to the PC using a USB data cable.
Right-click the Windows Start menu and select File Explorer.
Click Kindle under "This PC".
Open the Downloads and Documents folders to find ebooks and files.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Access Folders on a Kindle Paperwhite

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1
Connect your Kindle Paperwhite to your PC using a USB cable. If you have an 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite or later, use a USB-C cable. For older Paperwhite models, you can use any Micro-USB to USB-A cable.^{[1]
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- If the other end of your Kindle's USB cable doesn't fit into any of the ports on your laptop or desktop computer, you can use an adapter, such as USB-C to USB-A.
- Make sure your cable can transmit data. Some USB cables are only for charging, not transferring data. If your cable doesn't support data transfer, your Kindle Paperwhite's folders won't be browsable on your computer.
An easy way to do this is to press the Windows key + E on your keyboard at the same time. You can also click File Explorer in the Start menu, or right-click the Start menu and select File Explorer.

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In the left panel of File Explorer, you'll see "This PC," which has a list of connected drives beneath it. When your Kindle Paperwhite is connected to your computer, you should see "Kindle" show up with a drive letter, such as "D:" or "E." Clicking it shows a list of folders on your Kindle.
In most cases, books you've added from the Kindle Store appear in the Downloads folder, while books you added to your Kindle from other apps (including Calibre) are in the Documents folder.

Section 2 of 3:

Transferring Books and Documents

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Add documents and ebooks to your Kindle Paperwhite. You can copy ebooks and documents to your Kindle by dragging or pasting them into the Documents folder.^{[2]
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- You can add files in any of the following formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP, EPUBhttps://www.amazon.com/sendtokindle
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Copy books from your Kindle Paperwhite to your computer. Depending on the file type, you may also be able to transfer books from your Kindle to your computer. However, as of February 2025, it is no longer possible to transfer DRM-protected Kindle books to another device. The books you cannot copy to your other devices are those ending with the .kfx file extension. Technically, you can copy them to a computer, but they aren't usable or even convertible once transferred off your Kindle.^{[3]
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- For other book types, such as those you transferred to your Kindle with Calibre or other apps, you can simply drag the file into the desired folder on your computer. You can also right-click the file, select Copy, and then paste it into a folder by pressing Ctrl+V.

Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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If your Windows PC doesn't recognize your Kindle Paperwhite, it could be a temporary glitch. Disconnecting the USB cable from your PC and plugging it back in will often fix the problem.^{[4]
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Try a different USB cable and port. If your PC has more than one USB port, try plugging the Kindle into a different port, as there could be a problem with the first one. If that doesn't work, try a different USB cable–the original one could be dead.
- Make sure the cable you are using is a data cable. If your Kindle charges when you plug it in but you can't find it in File Explorer, the cable you're using may be just for charging, not charging and data. This problem can be resolved by purchasing a new data-capable cable.^{[5]
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To do a hard reboot, unplug the Kindle from your PC, then press and hold its power button for 40 seconds–even once the power dialog goes away and the device appears to be off. After 40 seconds, press the Power button once to turn on your Kindle, then try connecting it to your PC again.^{[6]
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Reinstall the MTP USB Device driver. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Windows menu and selecting Device Manager. Once open, complete these steps:^{[7]
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- Click the View menu and select Show Hidden Devices.
- Expand the "Portable Devices" group.
- If you see your Kindle Paperwhite here, right-click it and select Update Driver.
- Select Browse my computer for driver software.
- Select the Let me pick from a list… option.
- Double-click Portable Devices.
- Remove the checkmark from "Show compatible hardware."
- Select Standard MTP Device, then MTP USB Device.
- Click Next and then Yes to confirm.
- Unplug your Kindle Paperwhite and restart your Windows PC.
If a different Windows computer recognizes your Kindle, there's likely a problem with the original PC. If neither computer recognizes the Kindle, the problem is likely related to the Kindle.
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Factory reset your Kindle. If your PC still doesn't recognize the Kindle, performing a factory reset may fix the problem. Keep in mind, this will delete everything from your Kindle Paperwhite. To perform a factory reset:^{[8]
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- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the menu.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Device Options.
- Tap Factory Reset.
  - For older Kindles, select Reset Device again.
- Tap Yes to confirm.