Loss Of Publisher !

Question

Loss Of Publisher !

ValensMom 5

Why Would You Delete Publisher from 360 !!

Publisher Is the easiest, most design friendly software for amateurs.

( Since everything is digital, I can't imagine why you would eliminate it.)

Without "Publisher" there is no reason to keep 360 !

( GUESS I'LL HAVE TO BUY THE SOFTWARE AND LOAD IN ONTO MY COMOUTER. )

I cannot run my small business without using Publisher...

Nick James 0 Reputation points

2026-04-05T19:36:27.54+00:00

I use Publisher extensively, the workflow and tasks cannot be easily transferred to Word or Powerpoint.
I do agree that it is a very quick and easy to use page design piece of software.

I probably have over1000 files in this format and am not keen to convert them unless I can be 100% confident that the formatting of each document is maintained. I would estimate that I would be faced with a something like 24 hours work to manually open each and re-save in another format. Even if there is an option to batch convert these files I would still face a further 40 or so hours to open each document and confirm the document is exactly as it was in its composition. Then still further work to update my file system to reference the new files.

I assume that there will be a commensurate reduction in the annual subscription price to reflect this has been removed, a 25% reduction would seem fair and equitable as it represents 25% of the main software elements the subscription represents.

2 answers

Your answer

Nick James 0 Reputation points

2026-04-05T19:36:27.54+00:00

I use Publisher extensively, the workflow and tasks cannot be easily transferred to Word or Powerpoint.
I do agree that it is a very quick and easy to use page design piece of software.

I probably have over1000 files in this format and am not keen to convert them unless I can be 100% confident that the formatting of each document is maintained. I would estimate that I would be faced with a something like 24 hours work to manually open each and re-save in another format. Even if there is an option to batch convert these files I would still face a further 40 or so hours to open each document and confirm the document is exactly as it was in its composition. Then still further work to update my file system to reference the new files.

I assume that there will be a commensurate reduction in the annual subscription price to reflect this has been removed, a 25% reduction would seem fair and equitable as it represents 25% of the main software elements the subscription represents.

Answer 1

Stefan Blom 337.4K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Publisher will be retired in October 2026. If you get an older perpetual license which includes Publisher, such as Microsoft Office 2021 Professional, you will be able to continue using the program even after October.

Please note that contributors in Q&A can't answer why questions. The forum is for user-to-user assistance (although hosted by Microsoft).

To send feedback for to Microsoft developers and decision makers, go to the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback .

Nick James 0 Reputation points

2026-04-05T19:37:44.78+00:00

At least you haven't offered what seems to be one of the standard responses to what seems like the majority of issues raised.
Format and re-onstall windows.

Answer 2

Microsoft Publisher is being retired as part of a broader product change, not removed immediately.

Key points for Microsoft 365 subscribers:

Publisher retirement timeline
- Publisher will reach end of life in October 2026.
- After that time, Publisher will no longer be included in Microsoft 365, and existing on‑premises Office suites that include Publisher will no longer be supported.
- From that date, Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher.
- Until October 2026, Publisher continues to work as it does today and remains supported.
If Publisher is critical to running a small business
- Publisher can continue to be used with full functionality until October 2026 under Microsoft 365.
- For long‑term access beyond that date, a perpetual (non‑subscription) version of Publisher can still be installed and used even after support ends:
  - “If you have the Perpetual version of Publisher, although support will end, you will still be able to install and use the app beyond this date.”
- Note that while it will keep working, it will no longer receive updates or support after October 1, 2026 (when Office LTSC 2021 reaches end of support).
Protecting existing Publisher work
- For Microsoft 365 subscribers, after October 2026 Publisher will not open or edit .pub files, so it is recommended to convert important Publisher files before that date:
  - Convert to PDF for final, non‑editable versions.
  - Convert to Word where possible if ongoing editing is needed.
- A file search for ".pub" on PC, OneDrive, or SharePoint can help locate all Publisher files.
- For large numbers of files, bulk conversion is supported:
  - “If you have a large number of Publisher files, you can use a PowerShell script or other automation for bulk export. You can refer to Example conversion script as a guide.”
Replacement options inside Microsoft 365 Many common Publisher scenarios are already supported in other Microsoft 365 apps:
- Ads or flyers: Word, PowerPoint, or Designer
- Brochures: Word or PowerPoint
- Banners, signs, posters: PowerPoint or Designer
- Business cards: Word or PowerPoint
- Invoices, applications, forms: Word
- Calendars: Word or PowerPoint
- Envelopes and labels: Word
- Newsletters, programs, folded projects, cards: Word, PowerPoint, or Designer
- Additional templates are available at Microsoft Create.
Summary for the current situation
- Publisher is not deleted immediately from Microsoft 365; it remains usable and supported until October 2026.
- After that, Microsoft 365 will no longer include Publisher, and .pub files will not open in Publisher for subscribers.
- To keep using Publisher beyond that date, a perpetual version can still be installed and used (with no further support or updates).
- To avoid losing access to years of work, plan ahead by locating all .pub files and converting them (individually or in bulk) to PDF or other formats before October 2026.

References:

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Loss Of Publisher !

Why Would You Delete Publisher from 360 !!

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Your answer