Many OverDrive digital media distribution sites require users to install free software before they can enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, music, video, or games.

OverDrive Media Console
A free, easy-to-use application, OverDrive Media Console allows you to download and enjoy OverDrive audiobooks, music, and video on most Windows computers. Use OverDrive Media Console to navigate, play, and bookmark OverDrive media titles, and to manage and customize your media library. OverDrive Media Console grants you the added functionality to transfer media to supported portable devices, and to burn CDs of audiobooks and music (when allowed by the publisher). Required for OverDrive Audiobooks, OverDrive Music, and OverDrive Video.

Adobe Digital Editions
Adobe Digital Editions is a simple and attractive way to read and manage DRM-protected Adobe eBooks and other digital publications. Digital Editions is a lightweight application that works online or offline. The free Adobe Digital Editions download is under 3MB and installs in less than two minutes with a broadband connection. Adobe Digital Editions is updated automatically, so you always have the latest version, allowing access to new features and security enhancements as they become available. Like Adobe Reader, Adobe Digital Editions can display Portable Document Format (PDF) eBooks, providing the same beautiful typeface you would see with a paper book. In addition, Adobe Digital Editions supports epub, an exciting new eBook format which allows the text to reflow. This means you can resize the text or the screen to suit you and the text will wrap itself around in the available space. Adobe Digital Editions is required for reading Adobe eBooks in the epub format.

Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is a free reader used to read DRM-protected PDF files. Replacing both Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 and the Adobe eBook Reader, Adobe Reader combines a vivid reading experience with an intuitive interface, enabling you to read high-fidelity eBooks on your desktop, laptop, or tablet computer as well as many supported PDAs. Because Adobe Reader takes full advantage of the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), you can expect to enjoy the same beautiful typeface, images, and page layout you would see with a paper book. Adobe Reader or Adobe Digital Editions is required for reading Adobe PDF eBooks. Please note that Adobe Reader is not the same software as Adobe Acrobat.

Mobipocket Reader
The Mobipocket Reader is a universal eBook Reader for Windows computers (desktop/laptop/tablet) running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as well as Smartphones and most PDAs (Palm/Pocket PC/etc.). Featuring bookmarking to facilitate quick returns to noteworthy sections, full text searching, and adjustable font size and color, the Mobipocket Reader offers an enriched reading experience. Mobipocket Reader is required for reading Mobipocket eBooks.

Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Reader software allows you to read secure eBooks on Personal Computers and Pocket PC handheld devices. Microsoft Reader is a free software application designed to deliver an on-screen reading experience that approaches the convenience and quality of paper. It offers a clean, uncluttered layout; ample margins; proper spacing, leading, and kerning; plus powerful tools for marking, highlighting, and annotating your eBooks. Microsoft Reader is required for reading Microsoft eBooks.

Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player offers great new ways to store and enjoy all your digital media. It's easier than ever to access all of your music, videos, pictures, and recorded TV on your computer. Play it, view it, organize it, or sync it to a portable device for enjoying on the go, or share with devices around your home—all from one place.