Microsoft 365
Microsoft says access is removed on or shortly after 1 October 2026 as its update rolls out. Publisher will no longer be available to install through Microsoft 365 after October 2026.
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Microsoft Publisher end of life: dates and what to do next
Microsoft scheduled Publisher removal from Microsoft 365 for on or shortly after 1 October 2026; support for perpetual Publisher 2021 ended on 13 October 2026. The Microsoft 365 change rolls out through an update. Perpetual versions can still be installed and used without support. Your .pub files remain on your storage.
Dates checked against Microsoft’s official Publisher retirement guidance on 24 October 2026.
Keep creating with your Publisher files. Open your .pub file in Megal Publisher, edit the text, pictures and layout, and save an editable .mpub master for your next edition. Megal is an independent product from Megal Software Limited.
Direct .pub import without running Microsoft Publisher or a PDF-first conversion.
Output access: Free accounts can use a watermarked Print Preview. Actual printing and PDF creation, export or download require an active Professional subscription. Subscribe now for full unrestricted access.
What Microsoft has announced
What is the Microsoft Publisher end-of-life date?
There are two dates to distinguish: Microsoft scheduled Microsoft 365 removal from 1 October 2026 as an update rolls out, and perpetual Publisher 2021 support ended on 13 October 2026. What happens next depends on your licence.
Perpetual Publisher
Support for the 2021 version ended on 13 October 2026. Microsoft says perpetual versions can still be installed and used, including to open and edit existing files.
Existing .pub files
The files do not automatically disappear, but you need a compatible application or a previously exported copy to use them.
Always confirm current licensing and support details with Microsoft’s official Publisher retirement guidance.
Where Megal Publisher fits
A browser-based path for Publisher-style work
Open your existing publications and keep creating in your browser. Megal Publisher brings text, pictures and layout into an editing workspace, with tools for your next newsletter, brochure or booklet.
Open your publications
Choose your .pub file and start editing for free. Update text, replace photographs and work with the layout you already use.
Refresh your design
Add current branding, create new images with Megal AI and give your next edition a fresh look.
Adopt the new master
Save the editable .mpub file and make Megal Publisher the place where future revisions and output are produced.
Megal's engine works from the .pub file itself.
Open the original file directly and work on individual text, pictures and layout objects. No Microsoft Publisher installation or PDF conversion step is needed.
A migration plan you can finish
Publisher end-of-life checklist
1. Inventory every .pub file
Search computers, network shares, USB drives, OneDrive, SharePoint and archived project folders for files ending in .pub. Record the owner, purpose, last update and whether the document must remain editable.
Prioritise recurring newsletters, price lists, church bulletins, school materials, menus, programmes, certificates, labels, business cards and other files that people still update.
2. Separate inactive files from working documents
A finished historic publication may only need its original .pub file retained. A document that changes every month needs an editable future in Megal Publisher. Treat those two jobs differently:
- Retain: keep the original .pub file and any linked assets as your untouched source.
- Migrate: open the file in Megal Publisher and save an editable .mpub master.
3. Start importing into Megal Publisher now
Open the .pub files you use most often, make your next round of changes and save each publication as an editable .mpub project. Your team can continue updating the text, pictures and layouts in Megal Publisher without a Microsoft Publisher installation.
4. Collect fonts and linked assets
Keep your authorised logos, photos, illustrations and typefaces together with each project. A shared asset folder makes it easier for your team to keep every edition on brand.
5. Build your working collection
Start with the publications your team updates regularly: a newsletter, price list, folded leaflet or event programme. Save an editable master for each and organise them by project or publication type.
Make the next edition easy to find.
Give each master a clear name and keep dated copies of finished editions so everyone knows where the next update begins.
6. Refresh your active publications
Update old branding, contact details, prices and images in the publications you plan to keep using. Archive duplicate or obsolete editions so your working collection stays useful.
7. Set a new master-file rule
Choose the editable format your team will keep from now on. With Megal Publisher, that working format is .mpub. Keep the editable master, the original .pub backup and relevant source assets together using a clear naming convention.
8. Train users and set a cut-off date
Give your team a quick tour of the editor, agree where editable masters are stored and pick a date for new editions to begin in Megal Publisher.
Questions about the deadline
Publisher retirement FAQ
When did Microsoft Publisher support end?
Perpetual Publisher 2021 support ended on 13 October 2026. The separate removal from Microsoft 365 was scheduled for on or shortly after 1 October 2026 as the update rolls out. Check Microsoft’s official guidance for the licence you use.
Will my Publisher files stop working?
The files remain on your storage, but opening and editing them depends on compatible software. Open important files in Megal Publisher and save editable .mpub masters for continued updates.
Can I keep using a perpetual version?
Microsoft says perpetual versions can continue to be installed and used after support ends. Unsupported software may no longer receive security or reliability updates, so organisations should assess the risk and their licensing position.
What should I move into Megal Publisher first?
Start with the publications you update most often, such as newsletters, menus, price lists and event programmes. Save an editable .mpub master for each.
What should I know about PUB compatibility when moving my files?
Font availability and some older Publisher effects can affect imported layouts. Missing fonts may change text flow, and complex WordArt, groups or proprietary features may need adjustment. Keep your original .pub files and compare important publications with an original PDF or printout before final output. Save ongoing work in Megal's editable .mpub format rather than as a new Microsoft .pub file.
Is Megal Publisher made by Microsoft?
No. Megal Publisher is an independent product from Megal Software Limited and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
Does Megal rely on Microsoft Publisher to import files?
No. Megal Publisher uses its own import engine to open the original .pub file. It does not require Microsoft Publisher running in the background.
Your next publication starts here
Open your Publisher file, make your changes and save an editable project for the next edition.