Microsoft is shutting down Microsoft Publisher on October 1, 2026, and it just sent an email to justify why it believes that was the right move and would help improve Microsoft 365 in the long run.
In an email titled “Important update to your Microsoft 365 subscription,” Microsoft argues that shutting down Publisher allows it to focus on things that its customers actually use, and Publisher was not one of them.
“We regularly review how our subscribers use features within Microsoft products,” Microsoft noted in an email seen by Windows Latest. Microsoft says it found that most people don’t use Microsoft Publisher, which is why it makes sense to direct resources to other products, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Here’s the full email that is being circulated right now:
Even if you haven’t received the email yet, the end of support for Microsoft Publisher shouldn’t surprise you, as the company itself has been nudging everyone to move on ahead of its retirement in October 2026. I still see the nudge when I open the Microsoft 365-based Publisher on my PC:
But Microsoft’s language appears to have changed a bit in recent weeks as we get closer to Publisher’s retirement. If you read the email closely, you’d notice that it’s sending a marketing signal that shutting down Publisher was a good move and that it benefits everyone, including those who pay for Microsoft 365.
“Many common Publisher scenarios are available in other Microsoft 365 apps, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint,” the company argues, and explains that “Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported as part of Microsoft 365” starting October 1, 2026.
We’re dedicated to improving your experience, and it was necessary to remove Publisher, says Microsoft
“At Microsoft, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the tools they need to achieve what matters, in their work and life,” the company argues.
But that does not mean supporting products for as long as quite a few people use them. It means disinvesting in products, and even shutting them down, so the resources can be used for other things, such as building New Outlook or Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Microsoft added that pulling support for one of its products does not mean Microsoft 365 is being downgraded, as it remains fully committed to improving the subscription service that makes the company a fortune.
Microsoft says most of the features that people use in Publisher have been moved to PowerPoint. You also have Microsoft Designer, which is similar to Canva, but is entirely powered by AI.
The company says most people used Publisher to create templates, labels, envelopes, calendars, cards, etc., and all of that can be done in apps like Word and PowerPoint.
But can you use Publisher via a perpetual license?
Yes, you can use Publisher if you own a perpetual license, but the catch is that Office 2021 LTSC support ends on October 13, 2026, and that wraps up Publisher support as well.
You can keep using it, but it may be vulnerable and subject to possible attacks, particularly at a time when AI is facilitating threats.
Microsoft says you should convert existing files to another format before Publisher stops working
If you use Publisher via Microsoft 365, you have until October 1, 2026, to keep using it. On October 2, you’ll no longer be able to access Publisher at all through Microsoft 365, so you need to move all your files to a supported format as soon as you can.
Microsoft says you need to convert your Publisher files to PDF or Word. If you don’t, you will be unable to open or edit these files once Microsoft Publisher in Microsoft 365 stops working.
To migrate a Microsoft 365-based Publisher file, open it, click File, select Save As, and choose PDF as your format.
You need to repeat the same step for all your files and migrate them manually before the deadline hits.
