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
    2025-03-29T18:42:57+00:00

    Devastating news! It's unacceptable to elimnate Publisher, and now increasing subscription prices as well. I, as many others, will lose decades of work. This is a bad corporate decision, on the scale of the "New Coke" debacle years ago.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-30T18:28:58+00:00

    This is crazy. My wife has enormous caregiver information for both of her parents with dementia. You say to PDF the files, but of course that will not allow updates or to convert to Word, but the graphic's do not convert properly. What a mess. You have ruined our lives.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-31T02:58:31+00:00

    How can it even be legal or moral to sell a PERPETUAL license and then terminate it? Does Microsoft now own the English language and can redefine words? This sounds alot like breach of contract.

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  4. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-03-31T11:47:35+00:00

    They did not terminate Publisher. They are removing it from the Microsoft 365 Office subscription. It will not be removed from existing perpetual suites - which is Office 2021 and older. (It is not in Office 2024.)

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