Microsoft to end support for Publisher

Microsoft has announced it is to end support for its Publisher software and files after October 2026.

For Microsoft 365 and other subscriptions, users will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files or access the Publisher application after 1st October 2026. Until that date, subscribers will be able to continue using Publisher as normal.

For users with the perpetual version of the software, support will end on 1st October when Office LTSC 2021 reaches end of support, and will no longer receive feature or security updates, although users will still be able to access and edit files.

Ahead of the change, Microsoft is encouraging businesses that use the software for tasks — such as creating professionally branded templates, printing envelopes and labels, and producing customized calendars and business cards — to consider using other Microsoft 365 apps such as Word and PowerPoint can be used for these scenarios.

In order to retain existing Publisher files after the the software is retired by Microsoft, the tech giant is advising converting them to an alternative format ahead of the 1st October 2026.

Publisher files can be converted to a PDF using the Publisher software, alternatively, to convert many Publisher files, this process can be automated by using a PowerShell script.