How to Fix Microsoft Access and Publisher Disappearing After Microsoft 365 Installation
Question details
The user is trying to restore Microsoft Access and Publisher applications that disappeared after a Microsoft 365 installation.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing, updating, or deploying Microsoft 365 in a personal or organizational environment.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Access and Publisher are removed or missing from the computer following a Microsoft 365 installation, likely due to deployment configurations or group policies.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer, as reviewing deployment scripts and group policies requires elevated permissions. Additionally, verify that your specific Microsoft 365 subscription plan supports Access and Publisher, as they are only available on PC versions.
Review and Modify the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) Configuration
Check your organization's deployment configuration file to ensure Access and Publisher are not explicitly excluded during installation.
When organizations deploy Microsoft 365 using the Office Deployment Tool, they use a configuration.xml file. If this file contains tags to exclude specific applications, those apps will disappear upon installation or update.
Find the configuration.xml file used by your network administrator or local deployment script to install Microsoft 365.
Open the file in a text editor like Notepad. Look for lines containing '<ExcludeApp ID="Access" />' or '<ExcludeApp ID="Publisher" />'.
Delete the ExcludeApp lines corresponding to Access and Publisher. Save the XML file and run the Office Deployment Tool setup command again to restore the applications.
Check Local and Organizational Group Policies
Verify if a group policy is silently enforcing an installation script that removes Access and Publisher.
Run a Microsoft 365 Online Repair
If no restrictive policies are in place, repairing the Office installation can restore missing application components.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If you are tired of dealing with missing applications, complex deployment policies, and subscription restrictions, WPS Office provides a lightweight, all-in-one alternative. It installs effortlessly without complicated configurations and offers all the essential tools you need for document processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Access and Publisher disappear after my latest Microsoft 365 update?
This commonly occurs if your organization updated its deployment policies using the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and added 'ExcludeApp' rules for Access and Publisher, or if a new Group Policy was enforced in the background.
Are Microsoft Access and Publisher available on Mac?
No, Microsoft Access and Publisher are exclusively available for Windows PCs. If you install your Microsoft 365 subscription on a Mac, these two applications will not be included.
Will a standard reinstall of Microsoft 365 bring back Access and Publisher?
Reinstalling directly from the web portal might resolve the issue if it was a random installation glitch. However, if your computer is managed by an organizational policy that excludes these apps, a standard reinstall will not override the restrictions.
How can I verify if my Microsoft 365 subscription includes Access and Publisher?
Log into your Microsoft account online and navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' dashboard. Check your plan details; most PC-based Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Business Standard or Premium plans include these applications.
