• Microsoft is dropping support for one of its oldest programs.
• Users will not be able to access content created in the program after Oct. 1, 2026.
• Users should migrate their files to other platforms now.

When a company stops supporting a piece of software, it can be jarring for users. Many have to find another solution, migrate files, and sometimes learn new ways of doing things.

Sometimes, however, that’s not quite so easily done. That’s especially true of any creative apps.

If you have created anything from a book, to a magazine, videos, or an outlier like a set of puzzles, losing the app you built them in can be devastating.

That’s what’s happening to a friend of mine who has been a dedicated user of Microsoft Publisher. He has spent over a decade creating a unique family of puzzle’s using the Microsoft software and with it being discontinued, he shared on Facebook (in a private post) that he had no idea what to do.

My friend is certainly not unique, and hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of Publisher users will be left out in the cold.

What is Microsoft Publisher?

Publisher started as the Microsoft Office answer to Adobe PageMaker and its successor program inDesign. Those programs battled with Quark Xpress, a similar piece of software for the publishing market.

These programs can be used for anything from laying out magazines and newspapers to creating any sort of printed document. They were quite sophisticated and while Publisher was arguably the worst of the three, it was included in an Office purchase (now a subscription).

Now, after almost 25 years, Microsoft has shared that it will no longer be supporting Publisher.

In October 2026, Microsoft Publisher will reach its end of life.

Microsoft Support Page

The company explained what that means.

“After that time, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 and existing on-premises suites will no longer be supported. Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher. Until then, support for Publisher will continue and users can expect the same experience as today,” the company published on its website.

Publisher is an easy way to desktop publish.

Microsoft shutdown FAQ:

Microsoft did share some answers for Publisher users on its website:

• How will this affect you?
• You can continue to use Publisher with its current functionality until October 2026. Support for the perpetual version of Publisher will end on October 1, 2026, when Office LTSC 2021 reaches end of support. Microsoft 365 subscribers will not be able to access Publisher from that date forward. 
• How to prepare before October, 2026Convert your existing files to another format before 10/1/2026. After this date, you will no longer be able to open or edit these files in Microsoft Publisher.Viewcontent after Publishers retirement by converting to PDF format

“If you’re a Publisher fan, Microsoft is throwing you a lifeline: You can download and use Publisher via M365 until the 2026 cutoff date. You can also buy Publisher. Even after the October 2026 date comes and goes, the perpetual version will still work, and you’ll be able to open and edit your Publisher files. But the app won’t be officially supported,” PC World shared.

There are also alternative programs that can be used in place of Publisher (although they will not open Publisher files).

Professional desktop publishing software

• Adobe InDesign: Industry-standard despktop publishing software with powerful layout, typography, and publishing tools.
• QuarkXPress: Longtime competitor in professional publishing. Strong for print and digital media.
• Affinity Publisher: Affordable alternative to InDesign growing in popularity for professional layouts.

Small business and home publishing tools

• Scribus: Free, open-source desktop publishing software; works on Windows, Mac, Linux.
• Lucidpress: Cloud-based DTP tool; templates for brochures, newsletters, and marketing materials.
• Canva: Web-based design tool; simple, template-driven, popular for social media and print.
• Visme: Online platform for infographics, presentations, and basic desktop publishing.

You can use third-party conversion apps to turn Publisher files into Word, PDF, or other file formats after the app closed down.

Microsoft Publisher timeline

• 1991: Publisher 1.0 released for Windows; aimed at small businesses and home users.
• 1995: Publisher 95 integrated into Microsoft Office 95; added OLE support.
• 1997: Publisher 98 introduced clip art gallery and mail merge.
• 1999 : Publisher 2000 added advanced templates and high-res printing support.
• 2001: Publisher 2002 (XP) added web publishing tools and improved design features.
• 2007: Publisher 2007 adopted Ribbon interface; enhanced photo and text tools.
• 2010: Publisher 2010 introduced Backstage View and better templates.
• 2013: Publisher 2013 focused on simplified design, online publishing, and PDF export.
• 2016: Publisher 2016 improved alignment tools and professional templates.
• 2019: Publisher 2019 integrated into Microsoft 365; cloud collaboration features added.
• 2021-2025: Minor updates continue; focus on ease of use, templates, and Microsoft 365 integration.
• October, 1, 2026: Microsoft Publisher discontinued.

Microsoft Publisher fans are not happy

Some dedicated users are upset with Microsoft for discontinuing Publisher.

“Not really happy with Microsoft today (add this to a lifetime Love/Hate Relationship with Microsoft) I have used Publisher for over 25 years to create various newsletters and other publications. There are just somethings that are way easier to do with Publisher (e.g., a 2-page spread with images across both pages) that are MUCH HARDER to do in Word or PowerPoint (or whatever nonsense “alternative” that Microsoft is suggesting as a replacement),” MMcQuain wrote on Medium.

Others just seemed confused over what to do next.

“I used Publisher regularly for over 20 years. I only recently started using InDesign out if necessity. But Publisher is still what I show people at work who need more flexibility than Word and more control than programs like Canva and Adobe Express. I have not used Microsoft Designer yet, but it seems to be going after Canva’s market rather than the professional designer,” MovieFan95453 wrote on Reddit.

Many think Microsoft should not drop support for the program due to its long history.

“We actually have 20 years worth of Publisher data files. Even if we don’t use this software for new projects, it’s criminal not to have access to it for historical data,” Silverseelives wrote on the same Reddit chain.

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