File Format & Compatibility

How to Make Microsoft Publisher the Default Program for PUB Files

Jason Miller Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure Windows to automatically open .pub files using Microsoft Publisher instead of asking for a program selection.

How to Make Microsoft Publisher the Default Program for PUB Files

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening a .pub file directly from File Explorer without being prompted to choose an application.
Observed behavior: Windows repeatedly asks which application to use when opening a .pub file, or it opens the file with an incorrect program.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Publisher is actively installed on your Windows computer as part of your Microsoft Office suite.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Default via the 'Open With' Menu

This is the quickest way to associate .pub files with Publisher directly from your desktop or File Explorer.

Right-click the file

Locate any .pub file on your computer, right-click it, and select 'Open with' from the context menu.

Select Microsoft Publisher

Look for Microsoft Publisher in the list of available applications and click on it.

Enable always use

Check the box at the bottom that says 'Always use this app to open .pub files', then click 'OK'. The file will now open in Publisher, and future files will do the same.

Quick Tip: If you don't see Publisher initially, you may need to click 'More apps' or 'Choose another app' in the prompt to find it.

Solution 2

Configure via Windows Default Apps Settings

Use the Windows system settings to manually assign the .pub file extension to Microsoft Publisher.

Solution 3

Run Office Online Repair

If Microsoft Publisher does not appear as an option in either menu, repairing your Office installation can restore missing file associations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Free Office Suite? Try WPS Office

While Microsoft Publisher handles specific layout formats like .pub, you can manage all your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs with WPS Office. It's a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that saves you time and system resources.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Free and lightweight, consuming minimal system resources compared to traditional suites.Familiar user interface for a seamless and intuitive transition from Microsoft Office.Built-in PDF reader and editor for versatile, all-in-one document management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Publisher missing from my 'Open with' list?

This usually happens if Publisher is not installed, your Office subscription has expired, or the installation is corrupted. You can often fix this by running an Online Repair for Microsoft Office via the Control Panel.

Can I open a .pub file without having Microsoft Publisher installed?

Yes, but you will need to use a third-party online conversion tool to convert the .pub file into a PDF or image format first. Most standard Office suites cannot open .pub files directly.

How do I create a desktop shortcut for Microsoft Publisher?

Type 'Publisher' in the Windows Start menu search bar. Right-click the Publisher app in the results and select 'Open file location'. In the folder that opens, right-click the Publisher shortcut, choose 'Send to', and select 'Desktop (create shortcut)'.

Document & File Issues