Microsoft Publisher, one of the company’s longest-running office tools, will be permanently discontinued in October 2026. Originally released in 1991, the application has been in use for 34 years, but its support is now ending. This applies to both the Microsoft 365 version and the “perpetual” license, which will remain functional but will no longer receive updates or security fixes.
According to PCWorld, Microsoft has stated that Publisher’s functions have been fully replaced by Word and PowerPoint. The official support page advises users to switch to these applications for creating business cards, letterheads, and other templates. “Word and PowerPoint do everything Publisher can do,” the company explains.
Transition and File Conversion
Microsoft is offering a gradual transition—until October 2026, Publisher can still be downloaded and used through Microsoft 365. Additionally, users can purchase a “perpetual” version, which will continue to work after the specified date but without any updates or support.
To ensure access to old files, Microsoft recommends converting .pub files to other formats before Publisher reaches the end of support. The suggested process involves saving files as PDFs and then opening them in Word or PowerPoint to convert them. However, Microsoft warns that layouts may change slightly. For users with a large number of files, creating a macro for batch conversion is advised.
The Legacy of Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher was introduced in 1991 and later became part of Office 365 (now Microsoft 365), reminds NIX Solutions. Over time, many users preferred Word for tasks that Publisher could also perform. This shift contributed to the gradual decline of Publisher’s popularity.
Although Microsoft has not announced a direct replacement, Word and PowerPoint are now the primary alternatives. We’ll keep you updated as more details emerge regarding this transition.