Can people keep using Microsoft Publisher unsupported after the end of support date in October 2026?

Anonymous
2025-01-24T19:39:30+00:00

Hello, Microsoft announced that Publisher will not be supported after 2026, but the announcement was vague so I wanted to clear up a few things:

  1. Will Microsoft Publisher still be available to use (albeit unsupported) after October 2026 or will it be removed from computers that have them?
  2. If it is removed, does this only apply to Microsoft 365 subscriptions or will Office 2021 lifetime standalones also have Publisher removed?
  3. What if you want to continue using Publisher? Much of my work revolves around using Publisher. Is there any way to keep it after Oct. 2026?

Original End of Support message: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 - Microsoft Support

Thanks in advance!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2025-03-31T12:02:32+00:00

>>

  1. Will Microsoft Publisher still be available to use (albeit unsupported) after October 2026 or will it be removed from computers that have them?
  2. If it is removed, does this only apply to Microsoft 365 subscriptions or will Office 2021 lifetime standalones also have Publisher removed?
  3. What if you want to continue using Publisher? Much of my work revolves around using Publisher. Is there any way to keep it after Oct. 2026?

>>

  1. Publisher is being removed from the Microsoft 365 subscription in October 2026. As of March 2025, the plan is to remove it from computers that have the subscription. (This may change.)
  2. It only applies to the Microsoft 365 subscription. Office 2021 and older are not affected. Note: Publisher is not in Office 2024.
  3. If you have Office 2021 or older, Publisher will not be removed. Microsoft is considering options for people who are using Publisher.

Any changes to the policy will be updated in this article:

Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 - Microsoft Support

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

102 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-27T17:25:31+00:00

    Word is not adequate for anybody who uses Publisher seriously.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-31T13:15:05+00:00

    After subscribing to Microsoft 365, I no longer find any older versions of Publisher on my computer, so by subscribing I appear to have ruined my chances of continuing to use this app. UNFAIR!!! Microsoft needs to provide an unsupported version with CD-ROM so I can continue to use it into the future whenever I replace my PC.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-27T16:30:24+00:00

    This is ridiculous and terrible news. I have hundreds of Publisher documents and I use Publisher most weeks.

    Word does not allow you to create labels in the easy way that Publisher does.

    Please will you reconsider this and continue supporting Publisher?

    OR

    As someone else suggested, make a free stand alone version of Publisher that people can download and install, and use for as long as they like?

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-26T21:35:57+00:00

    I do not want to lose Publisher! My entire business is based on Publisher files that I need to get back into to edit. I have thousands and thousands of documents that would need to be converted if Microsoft gets rid of Publisher. I love the program for creating my products.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments