Microsoft Publisher is discontinued: what to do with your .pub files
The short answer
- Since October 1, 2026, Publisher is no longer part of Microsoft 365. Subscribers can’t open or edit .pub files in it anymore, and it can’t be installed.
- If you bought Publisher or Office once (2021 or older), it still runs, but Microsoft stopped supporting it on October 13, 2026. No more security updates.
- Your .pub files are not deleted. You just need another way to open them. Below are your four options, from free to done-for-you.
Key dates
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Publisher removed from Microsoft 365. Subscribers can no longer open or edit .pub files in Publisher, and the app can no longer be installed. |
| October 13, 2026 | Support ends for one-time-purchase Publisher, together with Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021. No more fixes or security updates, and Microsoft has said there will be no extension. |
| Office 2024 | Never included Publisher. Microsoft left it out because the app was being retired. |
Does Publisher still work on my computer?
It depends on how you got it:
| How you got Publisher | Does it still open .pub files? |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 subscription (Personal, Family, Business…) | No Removed on October 1, 2026. |
| Bought once: Office 2021, Publisher 2021, or older (2019, 2016…) | Yes, for now It keeps running, but with no support or security updates. |
| Office 2024 or Office LTSC 2024 | No These versions never included Publisher. |
If you still have a working copy, this is the best moment to save your files (see option 1 below), while you can still open them.
Should you buy Office 2021 to keep Publisher?
Many people are trying this. It can work, but think about it first:
- Its support has already ended (October 13, 2026). You’d be installing software that will never get another security update.
- It may not install next to a newer Office. People on Microsoft’s forums report problems running Publisher 2021 alongside Office 2024.
- Watch out for cheap “lifetime” keys sold by unofficial resellers.
- It only buys time. Sooner or later your files still need a new home.
If you only need Publisher to finish one project, it can make sense. If what you want is to keep using years of bulletins, flyers and certificates, converting them is the lasting fix.
4 ways to save your .pub files
How to find all your Publisher files
Before you choose, gather everything in one place. Microsoft recommends searching for “.pub” on your computer, OneDrive and SharePoint. On Windows:
- Open File Explorer (the yellow folder icon on your taskbar).
- Click This PC on the left, so the search covers your whole computer.
- In the search box at the top right, type *.pub and press Enter.
- Select the files, copy them, and paste them into one new folder, for example “Publisher files”.
- Repeat inside your OneDrive folder if you use it.
What not to do
Don’t delete your .pub files, even if you can’t open them today. They can still be converted later.
Don’t download “free Microsoft Publisher” from unofficial websites. There is no official free version, and unofficial installers can contain malware.
Don’t rely only on PDFs if you need to change things. A PDF lets you print last year’s flyer, but not easily change this year’s date.
Get your Publisher files back, ready to edit
Send one file and see the result before you pay. A whole folder of up to 200 files is $15.
Try 1 file free No credit card. No account.Questions
Will my .pub files be deleted?
No. Your .pub files stay where they are, on your computer, OneDrive or SharePoint. What changes is that Microsoft 365 no longer includes an app that can open them.
Can Word open .pub files?
No. Word can’t open .pub files directly. Microsoft suggests saving them as PDF first (which needs Publisher) and then opening the PDF in Word, but the layout can shift, especially in designs with many pictures.
Can Canva open .pub files?
Not directly. Canva can import PowerPoint files, so converting your .pub files to PowerPoint first lets you keep working on them in Canva.
Can I open a .pub file on a Mac?
Publisher was never available for Mac. The free LibreOffice for Mac can open many .pub files, or you can convert them to PowerPoint and PDF, which open on any Mac.
Is there a free official version of Publisher?
No. Microsoft doesn’t offer a free version of Publisher. Be careful with websites offering a free download: unofficial installers can contain malware.