Microsoft 365
Microsoft Publisher leaves Microsoft 365
October 1, 2026 · 15 days ago
Microsoft · high confidence · Last verified October 15, 2026
What breaks
Microsoft says Microsoft 365 subscribers will not be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher on or shortly after October 1, 2026, as the removal update rolls out.
Who is affected
- Microsoft 365 subscribers who still open .pub files in Publisher
- People who need to install Publisher from a Microsoft 365 subscription after the removal
- Sites that keep a perpetual Publisher install: support ends on a later date, listed below
Source notes
Microsoft’s support article says you can keep using Publisher with its current functionality until October 1, 2026. After that, Microsoft 365 subscribers lose access on or shortly after that date. A perpetual Publisher install can still be used after support ends, but it is unsupported.
The same article sets a second date: support for the perpetual version ends on October 13, 2026, when Office LTSC 2021 and consumer Office 2021 reach end of support. That is a different milestone, not a moved copy of the October 1 removal.
Microsoft’s recommended action on that page is to convert existing files to another format, such as PDF or Word, before October 1, 2026.
Sources
Microsoft Support: Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026