Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Publisher will be retired in October 2026 and removed from all Microsoft 365 subscriptions. After this date, Publisher will no longer be accessible and .PUB files cannot be opened or edited within Microsoft 365.
What This Means for You:
- Publisher will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 after October 2026. Users relying on Publisher for newsletters, brochures, flyers, and templates should transition to alternative tools.
- Existing installs of Publisher 365 will stop working after 13 October 2026 due to a built‑in kill switch.
- Stand‑alone perpetual versions (Publisher 2019/2021) will continue to run but will receive no security or bug fixes, increasing long‑term risk.
Recommended Actions:
- Convert existing .PUB files before October 2026. Recommended formats include PDF or Word.
- Begin transitioning workflows to other Microsoft 365 applications such as:
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- Word for brochures, envelopes, simple newsletters
- PowerPoint for visual layouts and marketing materials
- Microsoft Designer for modern, AI‑assisted layouts
- Consider third‑party alternatives like Canva, Affinity, or Adobe Express for more advanced or collaborative design requirements.
Why Microsoft Is Making This Change?
Publisher’s functionality has increasingly been absorbed by more modern Microsoft 365 tools. Word, PowerPoint, and cloud‑based design tools now cover the same scenarios more effectively, making Publisher’s legacy engine outdated.