received a strange email

Question

I received the email below. It doesn't make sense. Please clarify for me and let me know what to do. Thank you. Lynda Gutcheon

Microsoft is committed to improving your Microsoft 365 subscription. We regularly review how our subscribers use features within Microsoft products. This email includes details regarding features going away next year and reminders about current benefits included with your subscription.

• Beginning 10/1/2026, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported as part of Microsoft 365. Many common Publisher scenarios are available in other Microsoft 365 apps, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Action Recommended: Before 10/1/2026, convert your existing Publisher files to PDF or Word format. After this date, you will no longer be able to open or edit these files with Microsoft Publisher. Learn more about plans for Microsoft Publisher.

Thank you for being a Microsoft 365 subscriber. With your Microsoft 365 subscription, you will continue to access expansive cloud storage, advanced security for your data and devices, powerful productivity apps, creativity tools, and ongoing customer support.

If you do not wish to continue your Microsoft 365 subscription, you can cancel it by logging into your Microsoft account and turning off recurring billing. If you purchased a Microsoft 365 subscription from Google Play or the Apple app store, contact their customer support for cancellation.

If you have additional questions, please contact our support team.

Answer 1

The email describes a real upcoming change: Microsoft Publisher is being retired for Microsoft 365 subscribers in October 2026, and the guidance in the message matches Microsoft’s documented plan.

Key points and what to do:

1. Publisher retirement
   • In October 2026, Microsoft Publisher reaches end of life.
   • For Microsoft 365 subscribers, Publisher will no longer be included, and it will no longer be possible to open or edit Publisher (.pub) files in Publisher after that date.
2. What to do with existing Publisher files
   • Before 10/1/2026, convert important Publisher files to another format so they remain usable.
   • To convert a single file to PDF:
     1. Open the file in Publisher.
     2. Select File > Save As.
     3. Choose where to save it.
     4. Select PDF as the file type and select Save.
   • To keep files editable after Publisher is retired, either:
     • Convert the Publisher file to PDF, then:
       1. Open Word.
       2. Go to File > Open.
       3. Open the PDF file.
       4. Select OK when prompted; Word will convert the PDF into an editable Word document (layout may change, especially with many graphics), or
     • Use a third-party conversion tool to convert directly from Publisher to another file type (quality varies and is not supported by Microsoft).
   • If there are many Publisher files, consider using a PowerShell script or other automation to bulk-export them to PDF.
3. If using a perpetual (non‑subscription) version of Publisher
   • Support for the perpetual version ends on 10/1/2026 with Office LTSC 2021, but it can still be installed and used beyond that date. This is different from Publisher as part of Microsoft 365, which will no longer be accessible for subscribers after that date.
4. Alternatives to Publisher going forward
   • Common Publisher scenarios can be handled in other Microsoft 365 apps:
     • Ads, flyers, brochures, business cards, certificates, calendars, cards: Word or PowerPoint
     • Banners, signs, posters: PowerPoint
     • Envelopes, labels, letterhead, newsletters, programs, folded paper projects, business invoices/applications/forms: Word
5. About the rest of the email
   • The notes about ongoing Microsoft 365 benefits and how to cancel by signing into the Microsoft account and turning off recurring billing are standard subscription information and do not require any action unless cancellation is desired.

Immediate recommended action: identify any important .pub files and start converting them to PDF and/or Word well before 10/1/2026 so they remain viewable and, if needed, editable after Publisher is retired from Microsoft 365.

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References:

• Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026

Answer 2

Hello. The email you received is authentic; I received the same notification regarding changes to Publisher.

There's nothing to worry about, it's 100% from Microsoft.