How to update Kindle: Update your Kindle e-reader before 22 March if you want to keep using it

If you have an Amazon e-reader and haven't updated it in a while, you need to take action right now if you wish to keep using it. Here's how to update Kindle, which will stop working as intended if you don't update before 22 March 2016.

By Marie Brewis

If you have an Amazon e-reader and haven't updated it in a while, you need to take action right now if you wish to keep using it. Here's how to update Kindle, which will stop working as intended if you don't update before 22 March 2016. See all e-reader reviews.

In order to continue being able to download e-books and using other Kindle services, a critical update has been issued by Amazon for Kindle e-readers sold before 2014. This update must be conducted before 22 March 2016. Below is a table showing which software your Amazon Kindle e-reader needs to be running.

Device and year Software needed Update

Kindle 1st-gen (2007) 1.2.1 Use 2G/3G

Kindle 2nd-gen (2009) 2.5.8 Use 2G/3G

Kindle DX 2nd-gen (2009) 2.5.8 Use 2G/3G

Kindle Keyboard 3rd-gen (2010) 3.4.2 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle 4th-gen (2011) 4.1.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle 5th-gen (2012) 4.1.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Touch 4th-gen (2011) 5.3.7.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Paperwhite 5th-gen (2012) 5.6.1.1 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Paperwhite 6th-gen (2013) Not affected N/A

Kindle 7th-gen (2014) Not affected N/A

Kindle Voyage 7th-gen (2014) Not affected N/A

Kindle Paperwhite 7th-gen (2015) Not affected N/A

If you're not sure which Kindle you're using, visit Amazon's help page HERE to see some distinguishing features of each model.

And if you're not sure which version of the software it's running, you should check the following:

Kindle fifth-generation/KindleKeyboard: Press the Menu button on the home screen and select Settings. The softare version will be displayed at the bottom of the page.

Kindle Touch/Kindle Paperwhite fifth-generation: Tap the Menu icon on the home screen and choose Settings. Tap the Menu icon, then choose Device Info.

Even if your device is already running the correct software version, users of the second-generation Kindle (2009) and second-generation Kindle DX (2009) will also need to connect to the internet using 2G/3G on the device if they haven't done so since 5 October 2015. And those using a third-gen Kindle Keyboard (2010), fourth-gen Kindle Touch (2011) or fifth-gen Kindle Paperwhite (2012) will need to ensure they connect via Wi-Fi rather than 2G/3G in order to receive the update.

If you are running older software, see below for instructions on how to update your Kindle.

How to update Kindle e-reader

• Plug the Kindle into its charging adaptor to ensure it has enough power to perform the update

• Connect to Wi-Fi or use the built-in 2G/3G (see the table above for how you should connect)

• From the home screen select Menu > Sync > Check for Items

• Leave your Kindle connected until the update is complete. It may restart several times, and you'll see a notification in your Kindle Library once the update has completed.

I have Windows 10 Home version which doesn't come with BitLocker encryption software as standard. I have figured out how to activate BitLocker without a TPM, but cannot find anywhere to actually get the BitLocker software. I usually use CNet or similar. Any suggestions please?

An interesting read - MICROSOFT GIVES DETAILS ABOUT ITS CONTROVERSIAL DISK ENCRYPTION

That is very interesting and thanks for posting. I don't really worry about NSA or other government agencies having a look at my files. It's all pretty boring stuff!
Truecrypt is now unsupported for Windows 10, so that is not an option for me. BitLocker has it's downside, so what are the other options? I don't want to change to Linux. Still trying to find a BitLocker download site!

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Thanks Fred, but Truecrypt is now unsupported for the latest Windows systems, so there will be no more bug fixes or updates. Not sure I want to start with something already obsolete.

It seems a little like me.

I have used it for years with Windows 7.

8-(

Harry,

I was thinking of updating to Windows 10 and just looked at encryption software and read this :

Might be helpful



TrueCrypt and Its Derivatives
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Spending another $99 just to encrypt your hard drive for some additional security can be a tough sell when modern Windows PCs often only cost a few hundred bucks in the first place. You don’t have to pay the extra money for encryption because BitLocker isn’t the only option. BitLocker is the most integrated, well-supported option — but there are other encryption tools you can use.

TrueCrypt — an open-source full-disk encryption tool — still works with Windows 10 and is still an option. There are also other full-disk encryption tools based on TrueCrypt. These are free, open-source encryption tools you can install on Windows 10 Home or previous versions of Windows to encrypt your hard drive if you don’t have access to BitLocker. Unfortunately, TrueCrypt might require some fiddling if you have a modern PC. But, if you have a Windows 7-era PC you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, it may just work.

Yes, TrueCrypt’s developers did famously shut down development and declare TrueCrypt vulnerable and unsafe to use, but the jury is still out in the security community on whether it actually is vulnerable or not. More importantly, much of the discussion around this centers on whether the NSA and other security agencies have a way to crack TrueCrypt encryption. If you’re just encrypting your hard drive so thieves can’t access your personal files if they steal your laptop, you don’t have to worry about this. TrueCrypt should be more than secure enough.



We’d like to see Microsoft give more Windows 10 users access to BitLocker — or at least extend Device Encryption so it can be enabled on more PCs. Modern Windows computers should have built-in encryption tools, just like all other modern consumer operating systems do. Windows 10 users shouldn’t have to pay extra or hunt down third-party software to protect their important data if their laptops are ever misplaced or stolen..

Thanks Fred. Windows 10 doesn't include BitLocker in the Home version, but it is included in the Pro version and above, though at a higher cost. This is partly because the software requires an extra chip on the motherboard (TPM) and the user agreement doesn't authorise it's use without this chip.
TrueCrypt seemed to be a reliable, secure and popular product. Just wish there was something equivalent to replace it.

Interesting - I've not looked at this before - I have Bitlocker, but it isn't enabled.

The reason for my asking is that I store all of my password / access details on a USB stick and it would seem sensible to encrypt this in the event that I lose it.
Presumably you have a Pro version of Windows skinny?

Yes - I bought the machine with Windows 8 pro installed at the time.

I hold my passwords in a password protected spread sheet.

Surely storing passwords on your hard drive is really easy for Trojan / virus software to find?

Sorry - the spreadsheet is saved to a USB stick.

Ah.....good plan!

Why don't you lot get a proper system and buy a Mac -):

Very nice to.

I think you might get some good benefit from using a product such as KeePass. (I use it myself - v.1.31).

You can use it on your main PC and also use it as a portable version. When you do, it is stored using strong encryption and unlocked with a master password (the length and strength of which is down to your own choice. It also has the useful facility to allow you to store lots of Notes.

eg. "I don't live in the same premises that Moneyam operate its Heinz 57 businesses from" - translates into "IdlitsptMoiH57bf" = 16 digits of upper/lower case and with numerics password.

I'm sure you can invent a similar kind of password for yourself.

I do think KeePass is fantastic - and it is Free.

http://keepass.info/compare.html