continue using Publisher

Roger Joyner 5 Reputation points
2026-10-04T16:08:51.4566667+00:00

Can I continue using Publisher after MS stops supporting it?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | For home
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-04T16:09:04.48+00:00

    Yes, with an important difference between Microsoft 365 and perpetual versions:

    • Microsoft 365 Publisher: can be used with current functionality until October 1, 2026. After that, Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to access Publisher, and will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher.
    • Perpetual Publisher: can still be installed and used after October 2026, but support ends on October 13, 2026 for Publisher 2021 with Office LTSC 2021 and Consumer Office 2021. After support ends, the app can still be used, but it will no longer be supported.

    If continued access to existing .pub files is important, the recommended preparation is to convert files before October 2026:

    • For viewing: open the file in Publisher, then go to File > Save as > choose PDF.
    • For editing: convert the Publisher file to PDF, then open that PDF in Word using File > Open. The document opens as a Word file, but the layout may change, especially for graphic-heavy files.

    Microsoft also recommends other Microsoft 365 apps for common Publisher tasks. For example, Word is the recommended app for newsletters.

    References:

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  2. Marcin Policht 109.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-04T20:36:31.6966667+00:00

    That depends on whether you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or a one-time purchase (perpetual) license.

    For Microsoft 365 subscribers, access to the Publisher application will end in October 2026. You will no longer be able to open, view, or edit .pub files in Publisher. You should convert any important Publisher files before access ends. You can open each file in Publisher, select File > Save As, and save it as a PDF. If you need to continue editing the text, you can also convert the resulting PDF to Microsoft Word.

    For perpetual-license holders, such as users with Publisher 2021, 2019, or 2016, the application will remain installed and you can continue opening and editing .pub files. However, Microsoft support for Publisher ends on October 13, 2026. After that date, the application will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, and future Windows updates could eventually create compatibility issues.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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