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Can You Still Buy Microsoft Publisher or Office Professional?
Question details
Users want to know the current purchase availability of Microsoft Publisher and Office Professional with a one-time license, and whether existing Publisher files will remain accessible with Office 2024.
- Product
- Microsoft Publisher, Office Professional, Office 2024
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Planning a software upgrade to Office 2024 while needing to maintain access to existing Publisher layout files.
- Observed behavior
- Publisher is no longer available for purchase through official Microsoft channels with the release of Office 2024, and support will officially end in October 2026.
Check your current Microsoft Office version to see if you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription or an older standalone version (like Office 2021) that still includes Publisher before attempting to upgrade.
Understanding Publisher's Availability and Future Support
Learn about the end-of-life timeline for Microsoft Publisher and how it impacts your current software environment.
Microsoft has officially retired Publisher from its sales channels starting with the release of Office 2024. This means you can no longer buy a new one-time license for Office Professional that includes Publisher.
Furthermore, Microsoft has announced that all support for Publisher will completely end in October 2026. After this date, the application will no receive security updates.
Open any Office app, click on 'File', and select 'Account' to see if your current version includes Publisher. If you have Office 2021 or earlier, you can continue using it until support ends.
Note that installing Office 2024 will not include Publisher. If you install Office 2024, you will need a separate, older compatible installation to open .pub files natively.
To prevent data loss, open your important Publisher files in your current version and go to 'File' > 'Export'. Choose 'Create PDF/XPS Document' to save them in a universally accessible format.
Exploring Alternatives for Publisher Tasks
Transition your publishing and layout projects to supported alternatives since Publisher is being retired.
Upgrade Your Productivity with WPS Office
If you are looking for a reliable, cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office Professional, WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite featuring Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheets, and a robust PDF editor. It is highly compatible with Microsoft formats, making it easy to transition your exported layout files and continue your work without missing a beat.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the complete office suite.
- 3. Open exported files: Launch WPS Writer or WPS PDF to easily open and edit the layout documents you previously exported from Microsoft Publisher.
- 4. Save in standard formats: Edit your documents with advanced layout tools and save them in universally accepted formats like DOCX or PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my existing Publisher files open in Office 2024?
No, Office 2024 does not include Microsoft Publisher. To open .pub files, you will need to keep a compatible older version of Publisher installed alongside, or convert the files to a different format before upgrading.
When is the exact end-of-life date for Microsoft Publisher?
Microsoft has officially announced that all support for Microsoft Publisher will end in October 2026. After this date, no security or feature updates will be provided.
Can I still buy an older version of Office Professional that includes Publisher?
Microsoft no longer officially sells older standalone versions like Office Professional 2021. While you might find physical copies at third-party retailers, it is generally recommended to transition to newer, supported software.
How can I save my Publisher files so I don't lose access to them?
You should open your .pub files in your current version of Publisher, click 'File', then 'Export', and choose to save them as PDF files. PDFs can be opened and viewed in almost any modern application, including WPS Office.
