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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-02T14:14:32+00:00

    My "backup plan" is I purchased a copy of Office 2010 which has Publisher included with it. If my research is correct, I hope to be able to run the current version of Office 365 and Publisher 2010 concurrently when Office 365 no longer supports Publisher. There are no Publisher replacements that will open the hundreds of files we have created over the years. I would assume they are getting rid of it because the number of people who use it is not great, but those of us to do use it, use it A LOT and rely heavily on it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-07-02T13:16:44+00:00

    I am very upset that Microsoft is stopping Publisher. I have used it everyday for over 25 years. There is no equivalent and I am overwhelmed to try and convert or loose all my work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-16T22:04:09+00:00

    I agree! I also use it for church Newsletters and documents. This is very upsetting!! Please help!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-15T20:09:52+00:00

    Get a stand alone copy of publisher to download then you can use it if they do drop it

    Try e bay

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