TL;DR
Microsoft is discontinuing the Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word function that launched in April 2023. The tool, which required a Microsoft 365 subscription and preserved document formatting for Kindle devices, will be retired in February 2026, according to Microsoft documentation flagged by Good E-Reader.
What happened
A Microsoft Word feature that let users send documents directly to Kindle devices is being retired. Introduced in April 2023 shortly after the first Kindle Scribe arrived, the utility kept Word layouts intact by using fixed formatting, making it useful for previewing or marking up documents on e-readers. The capability required a Microsoft 365 subscription. The discontinuation was identified through Microsoft’s documentation and reported by observers including Good E-Reader; the feature is scheduled to sunset in February 2026. The change appears to originate from Microsoft rather than Amazon, according to the reporting, though Microsoft has not provided a public rationale in the sourced material. The removal follows a year of frequent changes affecting Kindle functionality more broadly, and it removes a convenient workflow for people who used Kindle devices, particularly the Scribe, for reviewing Word documents.
Why it matters
- Users who relied on Kindle devices to preview or annotate Word documents will lose a direct, formatted transfer path.
- The feature worked neatly with fixed-layout documents, reducing formatting loss that often occurs when exporting between platforms.
- Its end highlights how integrations tied to platform subscriptions (Microsoft 365) can be discontinued and disrupt established workflows.
- The move adds to a series of recent platform changes affecting Kindle users, increasing uncertainty about long-term feature support.
Key facts
- Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word launched in April 2023.
- The feature required a Microsoft 365 subscription to use.
- It preserved document layout via fixed formatting when sending Word files to Kindle devices.
- The discontinuation was spotted in Microsoft’s documentation and reported by Good E-Reader.
- Microsoft plans to retire the feature in February 2026.
- The integration was commonly paired with the Kindle Scribe because of the device’s emphasis on document handling and annotation.
- Reporting suggests the change appears to come from Microsoft rather than Amazon.
- 2025 saw several Kindle-related policy and feature shifts, including ebook download and DRM changes, per the article.
What to watch next
- Whether Microsoft will announce an alternative or replacement workflow for sending Word documents to e-readers: not confirmed in the source.
- If Amazon or third-party developers introduce new tools to restore a similar send-to-Kindle workflow: not confirmed in the source.
- How many users migrate away from Kindle devices or change their document-review practices because of this removal: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Send to Kindle: A capability that transfers documents to Amazon Kindle devices so they can be read and annotated.
- Kindle Scribe: An Amazon e-reader model with a focus on productivity and stylus-based annotation.
- Microsoft 365: A subscription service from Microsoft that provides access to Office apps and related cloud services.
- Fixed layout: A document format approach that preserves the original positioning and appearance of elements on a page.
Reader FAQ
When did Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word debut?
It launched in April 2023.
When will the feature stop working?
Microsoft is scheduled to sunset the feature in February 2026.
Do I need a subscription to use the feature?
Yes; the feature required a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Is Amazon the party ending the feature?
The reporting indicates the change appears to come from Microsoft, but the source does not provide definitive attribution.
Why was the feature discontinued?
Not confirmed in the source.
Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word killed after less than three years Credit: Amazon By Mark Jansen Published 14 minutes ago Mark has almost a decade of experience reporting on mobile…
Sources
- Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word killed after less than three years
- Send to Kindle is Getting Removed from Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Word Waves Goodbye to "Send to Kindle"
- Microsoft Word: The "Send to Kindle" feature will retire
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