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
    2025-04-10T19:35:07+00:00

    I found out that if you have an account with MS, you can purchase a separate desktop version of MS Publisher that you will be able to use as long as you want, although it will not be supported by MS after the date they published. The easiest way to contact them through the account page.

    Hope that helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-10T16:07:01+00:00

    Two questions

    1. What similar MS programs exist that have functionality similar to MS Publisher.
    2. Will a layout/publisher program be added to MS 365? I only use MS Word and Published. If not, will MS 365's price be reduced?

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T23:32:10+00:00

    Groupon is offering Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for a fraction of their original cost, and both contain Publisher.

    Worth a look!

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  4. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-04-08T20:12:41+00:00

    >>

    will make them reconsider their decision.

    >>

    No. At most, they might release a 'sunset' version as someone earlier in this thread suggested (I passed the suggestion along to the product group). They took it under consideration but we're unlikely to know more for at least a year.

    If you own a perpetual version, you can continue to use it. If you decide to buy a perpetual version, get office 2021 or 2019. Publisher is not included in Office 2024.

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