Is there a work around to sue Microsoft for removing Publisher? I have been using only Publisher since 1994 and their solutions are not working,

Susanne Blind 10 Reputation points
2026-10-12T20:40:00.8566667+00:00

Is there a work around to sue Microsoft for removing Publisher? I have been using only Publisher since 1994 and have thousands and thousands of files I regularly edit. Turning them all into pdf's and trying to edit them in a different program is not working. The files just get jumbled and I have to recreate them anyway. I never use PowerPoint. I've never used Word and it is way to complicated to try to learn since I have no need for 90% of the everything that is in it. I am old and I do not want to have to learn a new program. I looked up how to install a stand alone version of Publisher and I don't understand how to install it. Why can't Microsoft create a fix on their end of Microsoft 365 so it doesn't interfere with standalone installs of their own program? They have made this transition so difficult for non-techy users. I am devastated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | Other
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Rukshan edirisinghe 1,645 Reputation points
    2026-10-14T04:49:36.9366667+00:00

    Hi @Susanne Blind

    I'm really sorry, I can tell how much this hurts after 30 years with Publisher. I'm not a lawyer, so I can't advise on the legal side, but I can help with keeping your files editable in Publisher itself.

    The key point is that only the Microsoft 365 subscription version of Publisher stops working. A one-time purchase version (for example Office 2021 or Office 2019 that came with Publisher, or Publisher 2021 on its own) keeps working after October 2026. It just won't get updates anymore.

    Since you don't use Word or PowerPoint, the simplest setup is to have only the one-time version on your computer:

    1. Copy all your .pub files to a USB drive first, so nothing can be lost.
    2. Sign in at account.microsoft.com and open Services & subscriptions. Look for a one-time Office or Publisher product there (not just Microsoft 365).
    3. If you see one, go to Windows Settings > Apps, uninstall Microsoft 365, then restart.
    4. Back in Services & subscriptions, click Install next to the one-time product and follow the prompts. Publisher will open your files exactly as before.

    Microsoft doesn't recommend running both versions side by side on the same PC, because they clash, which is likely the interference you ran into. If you use Outlook through Microsoft 365, tell me before uninstalling so we can plan around that. It may help to have a family member or friend sit with you for steps 3 and 4.

    When you look in Services & subscriptions, do you see a one-time Office or Publisher product listed?

    If this resolved your issue, please consider accepting it as the answer. If you don't find a one-time product there, let me know and I'll be happy to keep helping.

    Reference:

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.