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Can You Still Use Microsoft Publisher After Discontinuation?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Publisher will remain functional after Microsoft officially discontinues it, and how the discontinuation impacts different versions of Microsoft Office.

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Planning for software deprecation and managing existing Publisher files to prevent loss of access.
Observed behavior: Microsoft is discontinuing Publisher, raising concerns about continued software functionality and file accessibility for Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 users.

Before you start

Check your current Microsoft Office version (e.g., Office 2021, Office 2019, or Microsoft 365) to understand exactly how and when the Publisher discontinuation will affect your specific software license.

Solution 1Recommended

Continue Using Publisher on Perpetual Licenses (Office 2021 or Earlier)

If you own a standalone or perpetual license of Office 2021 or older, you can keep using Publisher indefinitely on your current machine.

Microsoft will not retroactively remove Publisher from perpetual, one-time purchase licenses. As long as your Windows operating system supports that specific version of Office, Publisher will continue to run locally on your machine.

Verify your Office version

Open Microsoft Publisher, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, and select 'Account' from the side menu.

Check license details

Look under the 'Product Information' section to confirm that your version is listed as Office 2021, Office 2019, or an earlier standalone release.

Maintain OS compatibility

Continue using the application as normal. Note that while it will still function, Microsoft will stop providing security updates and technical support for it after October 2026.

No Future Updates: While you can still use the software, running unsupported applications may expose your computer to security vulnerabilities over time.

Solution 2

Prepare for Publisher Removal on Microsoft 365

For Microsoft 365 subscribers, Publisher will be permanently removed or disabled in October 2026, requiring you to back up files and find alternatives.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Transition Your Document Workflows to WPS Office

While Microsoft Publisher is being phased out, you can seamlessly handle page layout, document formatting, and PDF management using WPS Office. It provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft's suite.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
2. Manage exported files: Use WPS PDF to open, view, and annotate the PDF files you exported from Microsoft Publisher.
3. Create new layouts: Launch WPS Writer and utilize its advanced formatting, text boxes, and image wrapping features for your future desktop publishing needs.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Rich page layout, typography, and desktop publishing features built directly into WPS Writer.Integrated PDF editing tools to easily manage and modify your exported Publisher PDFs.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on both modern and older operating systems.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the official discontinuation date for Microsoft Publisher?

Microsoft has announced that Publisher will reach its end of life in October 2026. After this date, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and will not receive any further security or feature updates.

Will my existing .pub files be deleted from my computer?

No, your actual .pub files saved on your local hard drive or OneDrive will not be deleted. However, if the Publisher app is removed from your system, you will not be able to open those files unless you use a compatible third-party application.

Can I prevent Publisher from being uninstalled if I have Microsoft 365?

Generally, no. Microsoft 365 automatically pushes mandatory updates to your device to keep the suite current. Once the deprecation update rolls out in late 2026, the application will be removed or deactivated automatically.

What is the best way to preserve my Publisher files for the future?

The most reliable method to preserve your layouts is to open each file in Microsoft Publisher and export it as a PDF. This ensures the formatting, fonts, and images are locked in place and can be opened by virtually any modern device or PDF reader.

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