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
    2025-05-22T15:43:25+00:00

    Why can't Microsoft leave a working copy of Publisher on my PC even though it will no longer be supported? I have been using it since its introduction and have hundreds of files that were generated with Publisher. I find it useful for many tasks I perform. It is not as easy to accomplish in Word some of the tasks that are so easy in Publisher. Please leave us a working version of Publisher.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-27T16:40:24+00:00

    I depend on Microsoft Publisher for everything. I write books with lots of layers and graphics and photos. You cannot do this in Word. And there really are very few other programs that layer. Please do not eliminate Publisher. Or if you do, create a new Word with layering capabilities. Word is just not adequate for my purposes.

    Thank you, Gina Sammis

    A long time user!

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-27T17:25:31+00:00

    Word is not adequate for anybody who uses Publisher seriously.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-27T17:40:12+00:00

    Get a stand alone copy of publisher. I have a 2010 version that I have downloaded and tried it works just fine and if Microsoft do not keep a copy of publisher usable on 365 I will be going back to office 2010

    Harold Frey

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