Can't open Epub files, but pdf okay

Question

Hello,
When I try to download an ebook from kobo, any pdf files open automatically in adobe digital editions. However, any epub files won't open as books, just zip folders. I've tried saving them onto my computer and opening them, but they save as a zip folder, and just open subfolders that contain bits of the ebook. This is really frustrating. I hope somebody can help me. Thanks, DS.

Answer 1

A .epub fiole is a zip file in disguise ... it looks as if your default opening program is the wrong one.
First check if you can open the .epub files from Digital Editions (ADE) by drag-drop onto ADE, or by File/Add to linbrary (ctrl-O).
If that is ok, associate .epub files with ADE; might be easy, sometimes awkward ...
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Sometimes the registration of ADE to Windows as the default hander for .acsm and .epub files does not work;
that is what causes the double-click in Explorer to fail;
especially in Windows 8/8.1, and maybe 7;
this appears to be a bug in Windows (for once not a bug in ADE).
Two possible ways round it.
First, try to force it in Explorer
Right-click on a .epub file (and repeat entire sequence for .acsm if necessary)
Select 'open with' if on the list, 'open' if not.
Select 'choose default program'
Select ADE if it is on the list,
If not select 'more options' and navigate to the ADE executable (may be at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Digital Editions\digitaleditions.exe)
Now .epub/.acsm files should be associated with ADE, and double-clicking should work.
Sometimes, Windows allows you to go through all that, but then refuses to make the association you have asked for.
In that case, the only way I know is to use a third partly file association program.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Types.shtml works for me.