Microsoft Publisher Is Gone From Microsoft 365: How to Keep Using It

The 5 Questions Publisher Users Ask Us Most

We read 149 chats with shoppers on formfy.ai between May 16 and October 1, 2026. About 7 in 10 were about Publisher, and the same five questions came up again and again.

1. 1

   Will Publisher still work after October 2026?

   Yes. One-time versions keep working; only the copy inside Microsoft 365 went away.

   Asked in more than 1 in 3 Publisher chats (37%)

   Read the full answer
2. 2

   What happens to my Microsoft 365?

   Nothing of yours is lost, but Publisher 2021 and the Microsoft 365 desktop apps cannot share one PC.

   Asked in about 4 in 10 Publisher chats (40%)

   Read the full answer
3. 3

   Will my old .pub files open?

   Yes. Publisher 2021 opens and edits .pub files from earlier versions.

   Asked in more than 1 in 4 Publisher chats (28%)

   Read the full answer
4. 4

   Can I move it to a new computer?

   Each license covers one PC; when you replace it, our support team helps you reactivate.

   Asked in about 1 in 9 Publisher chats (11%)

   Read the full answer
5. 5

   Who are you?

   Formfy, an independent software seller. We are not Microsoft.

   Asked in about 1 in 7 Publisher chats (14%)

   Read the full answer

Will Microsoft Publisher Still Work After October 2026?

Yes, if you own a one-time-purchase version: Microsoft says owners of the perpetual version "will still be able to install and use the app beyond this date" and can still access and edit their files, while Publisher inside Microsoft 365 is no longer available to subscribers after October 1, 2026.

Two dates matter. Microsoft 365 subscribers lost access to Publisher after October 1, 2026. Then, Microsoft says, support for the perpetual version "will end on October 13, 2026, when Office LTSC 2021 and Consumer Office 2021 reach end of support."

Three dates to know

1. After October 1, 2026

   Publisher leaves Microsoft 365

   Microsoft 365 subscribers can no longer open or edit Publisher files in Publisher. Microsoft advises them to convert their files to PDF or Word.

2. October 13, 2026

   Microsoft support ends for the one-time versions

   Publisher 2021 and Office 2021, including Office Professional 2021, stop receiving updates and support from Microsoft.

3. After October 13, 2026

   One-time versions keep working

   You can still install and use Publisher 2021 and open and edit your files. Microsoft simply stops updating it.

What "end of support" means

• No new security updates
• No non-security updates
• No free or paid assisted support options, and no online technical content updates

In Microsoft's words, after end of support "there will be no new security updates, non-security updates, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates." Publisher 2021 does not stop opening on that date.

Can You Keep Microsoft 365 and Install Publisher 2021?

Not on the same PC: Microsoft does not allow its one-time editions and the Microsoft 365 desktop apps on one Windows PC, and its installer asks you to remove one before it installs the other, in either direction.

Nothing of yours is lost either way: your subscription, files and email live in your Microsoft account, and your Microsoft 365 apps keep working in the browser at office.com.

3 setups that work

• A second PC just for Publisher

  Best for: homes and offices with more than one computer

  Install Publisher 2021 on a computer that does not run the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, and leave Microsoft 365 as it is on your main PC.

  See Publisher 2021

• Make this PC your Publisher PC

  Best for: people who mostly use Publisher

  Remove the Microsoft 365 desktop apps from this PC, install Publisher 2021, and use Word, Excel and Outlook in the browser at office.com.

  See Publisher 2021
• Keeps Word and Excel on this PC

  Office Professional 2021 on this PC

  Best for: people who need Publisher plus Word, Excel and PowerPoint on one PC

  Swap the Microsoft 365 desktop apps on this PC for Office Professional 2021: one suite with Publisher, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access, and no conflict between them.

  See Office Professional 2021

Check in 30 seconds: do you have the Microsoft 365 desktop apps?

1. 1

   Open Word or Excel on this PC.

   Any Office app works; Microsoft's own instructions start the same way.

2. 2

   Select Account.

   In Word or Excel it is under File; on the start screen it is at the bottom left.

3. 3

   Read the name under Product Information.

   A name that includes "Microsoft 365" means the subscription desktop apps. A name like "Office Home and Student" means a one-time version.

Will Your Old Publisher (.pub) Files Still Open?

Yes: Publisher 2021 opens and edits .pub files created in earlier versions of Publisher, and it can save your work as PDF or XPS for sharing and printing.

4 things to do with your .pub files before you switch

• Back up every Publisher file to a USB drive or a cloud folder before you change anything.
• Copy the files to the PC where Publisher 2021 will run.
• After installing, open your most important files first: bulletins, newsletters and templates.
• Keep a PDF of finished pieces you will not edit again; Microsoft's advice to people leaving Publisher is to convert files to PDF or Word.

Can You Move Publisher 2021 to a New Computer?

Yes, with help: each Publisher 2021 license activates on one Windows PC, and when you replace that computer, our support team helps you reactivate on the new one.

When you replace your computer: 4 steps

1. 1

   Keep your delivery email.

   It holds your license key and your download link.

2. 2

   Copy your .pub files to the new computer.

   A USB drive or a cloud folder is the simplest way.

3. 3

   Install Publisher 2021 from the download link.

   Use the link in your delivery email, not a copy from another website.

4. 4

   Reply to your delivery email if activation does not go through.

   Our support team helps you reactivate on the new PC.

Need Publisher on two computers at the same time? Choose 2, 3 or 5 PCs on the Publisher 2021 page.

Who Sells Publisher 2021, and How Can You Buy It Safely?

Formfy is an independent software seller, not Microsoft, and sells Publisher 2021 as a one-time purchase delivered by email; to buy safely from anyone, check who the seller is, what you receive and how you get help.

Formfy sells the Publisher 2021 and Office Professional 2021 licenses linked on this page. Formfy is an independent software seller and is not Microsoft.

What you receive from Formfy

• A license key and a download link by email, usually within minutes of checkout
• Step-by-step installation and activation instructions
• Activation inside Publisher: Account, then Change product key
• Help from our support team: reply to your delivery email or write to contact@formfy.ai
• A 30-day return window; see our refund policy

5 warning signs of a risky Publisher download

• The installer comes from a search result or a file-sharing site instead of the seller's own download link
• There is no way to contact the seller
• There are no refund or return terms
• You get a key with no installation or activation instructions
• Someone offers "Publisher for Mac": Microsoft makes Publisher for Windows only

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose Publisher 2021 if you only need Publisher on a PC without the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, and Office Professional 2021 if you need Publisher together with Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the same PC.

If you…, choose…

• If you only use Publisher, on a PC without the Microsoft 365 desktop apps

  Choose: Publisher 2021 for 1 PC

  A one-time purchase for one Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.

• If you need Publisher on 2, 3 or 5 PCs

  Choose: Publisher 2021 for 2, 3 or 5 PCs

  Pick the number of PCs on the product page.

• If you need Publisher plus Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the same PC

  Choose: Office Professional 2021

  It includes Publisher, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access in one suite.

• If you want to keep the Microsoft 365 desktop apps on this PC

  Choose: Publisher 2021 on a second PC

  Or use Microsoft 365 in the browser at office.com and make this your Publisher PC.

• If you need Publisher on 6 or more PCs

  Choose: Bulk licensing

  Each PC needs its own license; we prepare a quote.

• If you use a Mac

  Choose: No Publisher option

  Microsoft makes Publisher for Windows only; Microsoft advises converting Publisher files to PDF or Word.

How to Switch From Microsoft 365 Publisher to Publisher 2021

Follow these seven steps in order; each comes from Microsoft's instructions or from our product page.

1. 1

   Check which Office you have.

   Open Word or Excel, select Account, and read the product name under Product Information.

2. 2

   Back up your Publisher files.

   Copy your .pub files to a USB drive or a cloud folder.

3. 3

   Choose your setup.

   A second PC for Publisher 2021, this PC as your Publisher PC, or Office Professional 2021 on this PC.

4. 4

   Get your license.

   Buy Publisher 2021 or Office Professional 2021; the license key and download link arrive by email.

5. 5

   Remove the Microsoft 365 desktop apps if this PC will run Publisher 2021.

   Your account, subscription and files stay in your Microsoft account, and Microsoft 365 keeps working in the browser at office.com.

6. 6

   Install from your delivery email.

   Use the download link in the email, not an installer from another website.

7. 7

   Activate and open your files.

   Open Publisher, go to Account, choose Change product key, enter your key, then open your .pub files.

Publisher 2021 vs. Microsoft 365 Publisher vs. Office Professional 2021

Publisher 2021 and Office Professional 2021 are one-time purchases that keep working after October 2026, while Publisher in Microsoft 365 is no longer available to subscribers after October 1, 2026.

What Do People Still Use Microsoft Publisher For?

People still use Microsoft Publisher for print layouts that are awkward in Word: church bulletins, newsletters, booklets, calendars, brochures and flyers, cards and invitations, labels, and posters and signs.

• Church bulletins

  Weekly orders of service and inserts

• Newsletters

  Club, school, parish and company newsletters

• Booklets

  League booklets, programs and directories

• Calendars

  Monthly and yearly wall and desk calendars

• Brochures and flyers

  Tri-folds, event flyers and handouts

• Cards and invitations

  Greeting cards, invitations and certificates

• Labels

  Address labels, name tags and stickers

• Posters and signs

  Notices, posters and signage

From what Publisher users told us in chat on formfy.ai, May to October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers to the other questions Publisher users ask us.

Sources

Every Microsoft fact on this page comes from these Microsoft pages.

1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 (Microsoft Support): Microsoft 365 access ends after October 1, 2026; perpetual versions keep working; support ends October 13, 2026; file conversion advice
2. Products reaching end of support in 2026 (Microsoft Learn): Publisher 2021 and Office 2021 end of support, and what end of support means
3. Publisher 2021 lifecycle (Microsoft Learn): retirement date 10/14/2026 6:59:59 AM Pacific Time
4. Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024 FAQ (Microsoft Support): which Office 2024 editions include which apps
5. What version of Office am I using? (Microsoft Support): finding your Office product name under Account
6. Office 2021 and Office LTSC for Windows and Mac FAQ (Microsoft Support): Office Professional 2021 includes Publisher; Publisher is Windows only
7. Install and use different versions of Office on the same PC (Microsoft Support): Microsoft 365 and one-time versions on one computer

Microsoft facts checked on October 2, 2026.