It's still OCTOBER and I tried to do my remaining file conversions and they won't work! I am not able to convert to PDF or Word!

The message “Publisher cannot complete that operation” is an export failure, not evidence that Microsoft intentionally blocked conversion; use the applicable workaround below while Publisher can still open the files.

First, identify which Publisher edition remains installed

In Publisher, select File → Account → About Publisher and note the version and whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.

The October dates differ by licence:

• Microsoft 365: Publisher removal began on or shortly after October 1, 2026. It was not guaranteed to remain available for the entire month.
• Publisher/Office 2021 perpetual licence: support ended October 13, 2026, but the installed application can still be used. “End of support” does not deactivate a perpetual copy. ^1^

Because Publisher still opens your files, try the matching recovery path rather than reinstalling or removing it.

If this is Publisher 2016 on Windows 10

Microsoft documents a printer-switch workaround for this PDF-save error:

1. Close Publisher.
2. Open Start → Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners.
3. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, if enabled.
4. Select a different device, such as Microsoft Print to PDF or Fax.
5. Select Manage → Set as default.
6. Select your normal printer and choose Manage → Set as default again.
7. Reopen Publisher and export the publication.

This specifically applies to Publisher 2016 on Windows 10, although the error can occur in other versions. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/publisher-cannot-save-the-file-error-when-saving-as-pdf ""Publisher cannot save the file" error when saving as PDF")

If the failure affects only particular publications

Work on a copy of each .pub file, then test after each change:

1. Compress the publication’s pictures.
2. Remove large images or page backgrounds temporarily.
3. Remove transparent images.
4. Remove picture effects such as recoloring, brightness, or corrections.
5. Try exporting the simplified copy again.

These are Microsoft’s documented workarounds for Publisher 2010, 2013, or 2016 on older Windows versions. Microsoft also identifies 64-bit Publisher as unaffected by that particular older-version issue, but changing Office architecture should be a last resort rather than the first step. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/publisher-cannot-save-the-file-error-when-saving-as-pdf ""Publisher cannot save the file" error when saving as PDF")

A useful distinction:

• If a new, blank one-page publication exports successfully, the problem is probably specific to content in the affected publication.
• If every publication fails, including a blank one, test the same .pub files on another computer that still has a working, licensed Publisher installation. A matching Publisher case was resolved by moving the files to another computer. ^3^

Convert to Word only after creating the PDF

Publisher does not preserve a publication as an editable Word document directly through the documented retirement workflow. Microsoft’s conversion sequence is:

1. Convert .pub to PDF.
2. Open Word.
3. Select File → Open.
4. Select the PDF and approve the conversion prompt.
5. Save the opened document as a Word document.

The resulting Word file is optimized for text editing, so publications containing many graphics may not retain their original layout exactly. ^1^

For many remaining files

Once one file exports successfully, Microsoft provides a sample PowerShell script for bulk conversion. It requires a working, licensed Publisher installation and reports which files succeeded or failed. Test it first on copies in a small folder; it will not overwrite an existing output file with the same name. ^4^

Example after downloading the script and opening PowerShell in its folder:

# Convert every .pub file in this folder and its subfolders.
.\Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 `
    -Filter "C:\PublisherFiles\*.pub" `
    -Recurse

Do not uninstall Publisher before rescuing the files. Microsoft 365 subscribers can no longer download or install it after retirement, whereas owners of a perpetual version can continue installing and using that version even though it is unsupported. ^1^

References

1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
2. "Publisher cannot save the file" error when saving as PDF
3. Publisher Files not converting to PDF - Microsoft Q&A
4. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 | Microsoft Support