On October 13, 2026, Microsoft Publisher will reach its end of support. After this date, Publisher will no longer be included in Microsoft 365, and existing on-premises suites will no longer be supported. This change affects Publisher for Microsoft 365, Publisher 2021, Publisher 2019, and Publisher 2016.
What is Microsoft Publisher?
Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application by Microsoft, designed for creating professional-quality publications such as newsletters, brochures, postcards, and business cards. It offers a variety of templates and customization options for precise layout and design. Publisher is included in some Microsoft 365 subscriptions, but support will end in October 2026 for all Microsoft Publisher licenses.
Reasons for the Change
Microsoft aims to focus on new benefits and features for its customers. By retiring older products, they can allocate resources to enhance other applications.
Impact on Users
- Continued Use: Users can continue to use Publisher with its current functionality until October 2026.
- Support End Date: Support for the perpetual version of Publisher will end in October 2026, coinciding with the end of support for Office LTSC 2021.
- Microsoft 365: Publisher will no longer be accessible for Microsoft 365 customers after October 2026.
Alternatives
Many common Publisher tasks can be performed using other Microsoft 365 apps:
- Word: For creating documents and templates.
- PowerPoint: For designing presentations and visual content.
- Designer: For advanced design needs.
Preparing for the Change
No immediate action is required. This announcement is to provide sufficient time for planning. Microsoft will share additional updates as the date approaches.
More information
For the announcement, please visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-365-cross-region-disaster-recovery-generally-available/ba-p/4178771.
For more on Microsoft licensing, visit our Microsoft vendor page at: https://www.schneider.im/software/microsoft/.
Please contact us for expert services on your specific Microsoft software and Online Services requirements and to request a quote today.