Dropping Publisher stinks

Question

I have been a loyal Microsoft Publisher user for around 20 years. Publisher has been central to my work, from newsletters to heritage projects, and its retirement in 2026 feels like a betrayal of long‑time customers. Converting decades of files is an unrealistic burden, and no other Microsoft tool offers the same balance of layout control and ease of use. This decision prioritizes corporate profits over customer needs, and it stinks. Please reconsider or provide a proper migration path so loyal users are not left stranded.

I see that Microsoft have removed publisher from the lists to give feedback. They obviously don't want it. Case of Emperor's New clothes

Answer 1

Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026. This decision is part of a broader strategy that includes the retirement of several products, and it may indeed pose challenges for long-time users who rely on Publisher for their work. Unfortunately, there has been no specific migration path provided for existing Publisher users to transition their files to other Microsoft products, which can be frustrating for those who have invested years into using the software.

While feedback mechanisms may change, it is important for users to express their concerns through available channels, as this can influence future decisions. However, as of now, the retirement of Publisher is confirmed, and users will need to consider alternative solutions for their publishing needs moving forward.

Answer 2

John,

See my response at

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5630039/will-i-still-be-able-to-use-publisher-after-octobe

However, you may not be able to use Office 365 with an older desktop version of Publisher without using a separate computer.