Microsoft Sends Email Warning Ahead of Publisher Shutdown

Microsoft Publisher will officially stop being supported through Microsoft 365 on October 1, 2026. Microsoft has already started sending Publisher retirement notifications to customers ahead of the shutdown.

The company is also emailing Microsoft 365 subscribers to explain the decision, as reported by Windows Latest. Microsoft says it regularly reviews how customers use its apps and found that relatively few people still rely on Publisher.

According to Microsoft, retiring Publisher will allow the company to focus resources on Microsoft 365 products and features that customers use more frequently.

Microsoft says Word and PowerPoint can replace Publisher

Microsoft argues that users can already complete many common Publisher tasks with other Microsoft 365 apps.

Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Designer can handle jobs such as creating labels, envelopes, calendars, cards, templates, and other designs. Designer also adds AI-powered creation tools that Publisher does not offer.

Still, users with years of Publisher files may need to act before the October deadline.

Perpetual Publisher licenses will keep working

Customers with a perpetual Office license can continue using Publisher after Microsoft removes it from Microsoft 365.

However, Office LTSC 2021 will reach end of support on October 13, 2026, and Microsoft has already urged customers to move to Microsoft 365, making it an impractical long-term solution.

Publisher may continue running after that date, but Microsoft will no longer provide official support or security updates for the LTSC 2021 version.

Microsoft wants users to convert Publisher files

Microsoft recommends migrating existing Publisher documents before support ends.

Microsoft 365 customers can continue opening and editing Publisher files until October 1, 2026. After that, Publisher will no longer remain available through the subscription.

Users can convert existing documents directly from Publisher into supported formats such as PDF or Word. Anyone who keeps files only in Publisher’s native format could have trouble opening or editing them once access to the app disappears.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is preparing another Microsoft 365 change as the Planner redesign starts rolling out in September.

The company is also adding an option to uninstall OneDrive Photos following criticism from administrators.