The two dates
October 1, 2026 — Support ends
Microsoft stops releasing security patches, bug fixes, and technical support for Publisher. The application continues to run if you have it installed — but it will not receive any further updates. Running unsupported software carries growing security risk over time.
October 13, 2026 — Removed from Microsoft 365
If your Publisher license comes through a Microsoft 365 subscription (Business Standard, Business Premium, or similar), Publisher stops working on this date. M365 subscribers must migrate before October 13 to avoid losing access entirely.
Standalone / perpetual license holders (those who purchased Publisher outright, not through M365) are not cut off on October 13. Their application keeps running without support.
What Microsoft says — and what they don't
Microsoft's official guidance: “Export your documents to PDF or Word before the deadline.”
What they don't say: Word imports .pub files as reflowed plain text — multi-column layouts, text boxes, and precise positioning are almost entirely lost. PDF export is a flat image — no further editing possible.
If layout fidelity matters, you need a tool that reads .pub format directly.
Your three realistic paths
Open online — no install
Upload your .pub to Publish365. Edit, fix, and export a print-ready PDF in your browser. First file free.
Open your .pub fileDesktop app (free)
LibreOffice Draw and Scribus both open .pub files natively. Affinity Publisher V3 is also free since October 2025.
Start fresh from a template
If the document doesn't need to match the original exactly, a fresh template is often faster than rescuing a complex .pub.
Browse templatesQuestions
- When does Microsoft Publisher support end?
- October 1, 2026. After that date Microsoft will not release further security patches, updates, or technical support for Publisher. The application will continue to run if you have it installed.
- When is Microsoft Publisher removed from Microsoft 365?
- October 13, 2026. If you have Publisher through a Microsoft 365 subscription, it will stop working on that date. Users with standalone perpetual licenses are unaffected by this specific date — their app keeps running, just without support.
- Will my .pub files be deleted when Publisher is discontinued?
- No. Your .pub files stay on your hard drive. What changes is that Publisher (the application) will no longer be maintained or available through M365. Your files themselves are safe.
- Can I keep using Publisher after October 2026?
- If you have a standalone (perpetual) license of Publisher — not M365 — the application continues to run on your machine. Microsoft simply won't patch it. If your Publisher comes through M365, it stops working on October 13, 2026.
- What does Microsoft recommend for migration?
- Microsoft suggests exporting documents to PDF or Word before the deadline. Be aware: Word imports Publisher files as reformatted text and loses complex layouts. PDF export loses editability. For full layout preservation, tools like LibreOffice Draw, Scribus, or Publish365 open .pub files directly.
Related questions
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