Microsoft 365
Publisher will no longer be available to install or access through Microsoft 365 after the retirement date.
HomePublisher end-of-life guide
Updated 23 July 2026
Microsoft Publisher ends in 2026. Your files do not have to.
Microsoft Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Use the remaining time to find important .pub files, preserve dependable copies and test a replacement while the originals are still easy to check.
Independent guidance from Megal Software Limited, maker of Megal Publisher.
What Microsoft has announced
The important dates and details
Microsoft says Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to access Publisher from that point, and support for the perpetual Office LTSC 2021 version ends on 1 October 2026.
Perpetual Publisher
Microsoft says perpetual versions can continue to be installed and used, but the 2021 version reaches the end of support.
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.
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: import the file into Megal Publisher, review it and save an editable .mpub master.
3. Start importing into Megal Publisher now
Open representative .pub files directly in Megal Publisher while there is still time to compare them with the original Publisher layout. Correct any changed fonts, text flow or object positions, then save each reviewed publication as an editable .mpub file.
4. Collect fonts and linked assets
Note the typefaces used and keep authorised copies of logos, photos and illustrations. Missing fonts are one of the most common reasons a converted document wraps differently. Check that you have the right to retain and use every asset.
5. Test a representative set
Do not begin with hundreds of files. Choose examples that cover the real range of your work: a simple flyer, a multi-page newsletter, a folded leaflet, a document with tables and a file with older graphics. Import them into your shortlisted replacement and record what needs adjustment.
Test the hard files, not just the easy ones.
A replacement decision is only useful if it handles the layouts, fonts, print settings and editing tasks your organisation actually relies on.
6. Decide what to import, rebuild or retire
Import files that move cleanly into Megal Publisher and still need editing. Rebuild valuable documents with dated branding or very complex layouts inside Megal Publisher. Retire duplicate, obsolete or legally expired material instead of carrying it forward.
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 people a short practice task before they face a deadline. Pick an internal date for new work to begin in the replacement application, leaving time to solve printing, font and template issues before Microsoft’s deadline.
Where Megal Publisher fits
A browser-based path for Publisher-style work
Megal Publisher is designed for page-layout work and imports .pub files into an editable document. It gives Publisher users a continuing workspace instead of leaving them with a static, uneditable copy.
Run a pilot
Open a few real Publisher files for free and compare each imported page with the original Publisher layout or a trusted printout.
Correct and standardise
Fix changed fonts or object positions, update the branding and turn the result into a dependable working document.
Adopt the new master
Save the editable .mpub file and make Megal Publisher the place where future revisions and output are produced.
Questions about the deadline
Publisher retirement FAQ
When exactly does Microsoft Publisher support end?
Microsoft says Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Support for the perpetual Office LTSC 2021 version ends on 1 October 2026. Check Microsoft’s official guidance for any updated dates that apply to your licence.
Will my Publisher files stop working?
The files remain on your storage, but opening and editing them depends on compatible software. Import important files into Megal Publisher before the deadline and save reviewed .mpub masters for continued editing.
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 files that are both important and frequently edited. Test complex recurring documents early so there is time to correct or rebuild them in Megal Publisher before the deadline.
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.
Do not wait for the last .pub file
Start with one representative publication today. A short test now can reveal the fonts, layouts and output steps your migration plan needs.