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
    2025-03-08T00:57:48+00:00

    Tracy W,

    Microsoft better provide a SUNSET version of PUBLISHER !!!

    (Like they did for Microsoft Money - which I still use - because it's great)

    I have tens of thousands of Publisher files and use it every day

    This is unacceptable !

    Tim

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  2. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-03-08T02:15:59+00:00

    You'll need a perpetual version of office (2021 or lower) or standalone version of publisher.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-08T14:44:14+00:00

    Daine,

    Thank you for your replies.

    Still think the Microsoft should release a Publisher Sunset (free) version for all user of this software

    I used Publisher for almost 30 years - I'll buy the Microsoft Office 2021 Professional (can get it for a discount on the internet currently)

    Tim

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-08T15:09:57+00:00

    It would be INCREDIBLY helpful if Microsoft provided one of these options:

    1. A Conversion Tool – A simple way to export .PUB files into a widely supported format like .DOCX, .SVG, or .IDML so we can keep working with them after Publisher is gone.
    2. Open Up the .PUB Format – If Microsoft released the file specifications, third-party programs like Affinity Publisher or Scribus could add support, making the transition much smoother.

    I don't want to lose years of work, and I know I'm not alone. A little help from Microsoft in making .PUB files more accessible would go a LONG way in making this transition easier. If you won't keep it for the sake of YEARS-long users, would you consider doing this for us?

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