Understanding Microsoft Publisher's End of Life: What It Means for Users and Alternatives to Consider

Here’s what is known about Microsoft Publisher’s end of life / retirement:

To summarise:

Office 365 will remove publisher from being accessed / installed and used on 1 October 2026.

Your cloud files stored in or used within Publisher 365 will no longer be accessible. You MUST download and access or convert them prior to 1 October 2026.

Publisher 2021 is the latest release. 2024 version was never developed nor released. Publisher WILL still WORK beyond 1 October 2026 indefinitely. You will be able to use the program if you have Windows 10 or 11.

You cannot install Office 2021 alongside Office 365 (or 2024). They are the same suite except one is subscription based and one is a lifetime product. You can have either suite but not BOTH.

Publisher 2021 is not available on its own or as a standalone. This was discontinued at the launch of Office 2024 and the previous standalone Publisher 2021 was discontinued and as such is unable to be purchased.

If you have Office 365 or Office 2024 installed - You can either:

1- Uninstall Office 365 (or 2024) and then buy and install Office 2021 Professional Plus with Publisher 2021 

2- Buy a second device and install Office 2021 and keep Office 365 (or 2024) on the original device.

You cannot mix office suites - you cannot install Office 2016 / 2019 / 2021 alongside 2024 or Office 365!!!

Key facts & dates

• Microsoft has announced that Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026. (Microsoft Support)

• Publisher 2021 is the last and final release of Publisher which can be found here (Microsoft Support)

• After 1 October 2026 , Publisher will not be included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and all perpetual suites that include it will no longer receive support.

• Publisher 2021 and 2019 will allow you to open/edit/create files. Program updates and features updates will cease. Publisher 2021 is the latest and last release for windows 10/11.

• For Microsoft 365 users, you won’t be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher after that date. 

What does this means for Publisher users

• Until October 2026, Publisher continues to work with its full functionality.

• After support ends, there will be no security updates, bug fixes, or official support for the Publisher software.

• Microsoft suggests converting existing Publisher (.pub) files to PDF or Word formats ahead of retirement.

• The perpetual (standalone) versions of Publisher (2019/2021) will still function after October 2026, but without support or updates.

As Microsoft Publisher reaches its end of life, many users are left wondering what this change means for their creative projects and workflow. 

No longer supported with updates or security fixes, Publisher’s retirement signals a pivotal shift for its loyal user base. This transition can spark uncertainty, especially for those reliant on its user-friendly design tools for everything from brochures to newsletters.  Whether you're a small business owner, a non-profit organisation, or just someone looking to create stunning visuals, this article will guide you through the implications of Publisher’s end of life.

Key Dates and Timeline for Microsoft Publisher's End of Life

Microsoft Publisher, a staple in desktop publishing for many users, is reaching its end of life (EOL), signalling significant changes ahead. For those who have relied on this application for years, understanding the key dates and timeline of its phase-out is crucial.

For businesses and individuals heavily reliant on Publisher, it is essential to develop a transition strategy well before the support officially ends. Microsoft has provided numerous resources and recommendations to facilitate this shift, suggesting alternative applications within the Microsoft ecosystem, such as Word and PowerPoint, which offer some design capabilities. 

Impact on Current Users of Microsoft Publisher

The end of life for Microsoft Publisher poses significant implications for its dedicated user base, ranging from small businesses and non-profit organizations to individual creatives. One of the primary concerns is the lack of ongoing technical support. Without updates, users may find themselves facing increased security risks, as vulnerabilities in the software will no longer be patched. This could leave sensitive data and documents at risk, especially for businesses that handle customer information or proprietary content.

Another significant impact is the potential loss of access to Publisher's extensive library of templates and design tools. For users who have built their projects around these resources, transitioning to new software may require a learning curve and additional time investment to recreate or adapt existing designs. This can be particularly daunting for small businesses and non-profits with limited resources, as they may not have the capacity to invest in new software or training. 

Common Issues Users May Face After End of Life

As Microsoft Publisher reaches its end of life, users are likely to encounter several common issues that could impact their workflow and productivity. Without ongoing updates and patches, Publisher will become more susceptible to malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. This is particularly concerning for users who handle sensitive information, as any security breach could result in significant data loss or compromise. 

Finally, users may experience difficulties in accessing and transferring their existing projects to new software. Publisher users often have a large library of templates, designs, and projects that they have accumulated over the years. 

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Moving Forward

The end of life for Microsoft Publisher marks a significant transition for its loyal user base. While the retirement of this beloved software may bring challenges and uncertainties, it also presents an opportunity for users to explore new tools and elevate their design experience or simply stick to Publisher 2021 which on its own is still an exceptional piece of software - currently unmatched by any other software available in the market.