How to Keep Microsoft Publisher Working After Microsoft 365 Dropped It

Step 1: Find Out Which Publisher You Have Now

Spend one minute finding out which Publisher is on your PC today, because the right fix depends on it.

Check it in three clicks

1. 1

   Open Word or Excel.

   Microsoft's own check starts in any Office app.

2. 2

   Select Account.

   It sits under File in Word or Excel, or at the bottom left of the start screen.

3. 3

   Read the name under Product Information.

   That name tells you which Office is installed.

What the name tells you

• A name with "Microsoft 365"

  It means: you have the subscription desktop apps

  Publisher left Microsoft 365 after October 1, 2026, so you need a one-time version to keep it.

• A name like "Office Home and Student"

  It means: you have a one-time version

  If your one-time Office includes Publisher, it keeps working after October 2026.

Step 2: Pick the Setup That Fits Your Situation

Most people are in one of four situations, and each one has a clear setup that keeps Publisher working.

• No second PC needed

  One PC with Microsoft 365

  You: want Publisher back on the PC you use every day

  Make this your Publisher PC with Publisher 2021 and use Microsoft 365 in the browser, or switch the whole PC to Office Professional 2021, which includes Publisher.

  See Office Professional 2021

• Two or more PCs at home

  You: have a computer that does not run the Microsoft 365 desktop apps

  Put Publisher 2021 on that computer and keep Microsoft 365 on the other one. For several computers, choose the 2, 3 or 5 PC option.

  See Publisher 2021

• A church, school or office

  You: make bulletins or newsletters on more than one PC

  Give each PC that runs Publisher its own license. For 6 or more PCs, ask us for a quote.

  Request a quote

• A Mac

  You: work on macOS

  Microsoft makes Publisher for Windows only. Microsoft suggests converting your Publisher files to PDF or Word.

The 8-Step Publisher Checklist

Work through these eight steps in order and you keep Publisher without losing a file, whichever setup you picked.

1. 1

   Write down what you have.

   Note the Office name from Account, Product Information on each PC that uses Publisher.

2. 2

   Gather your .pub files.

   Collect every Publisher file into one folder, templates and archives included.

3. 3

   Make a backup copy.

   Copy that folder to a USB drive or a cloud folder you trust.

4. 4

   Decide which PC runs Publisher.

   Pick a PC without the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, or one you're willing to switch.

5. 5

   Order the right license.

   Publisher 2021 for Publisher alone, or Office Professional 2021 for Publisher with Word and Excel.

6. 6

   Clear the way.

   If that PC runs the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, remove them; your account, subscription and files stay safe in your Microsoft account.

7. 7

   Install from your email.

   Use the download link in your OfficeASAP delivery email, then enter your key inside Publisher under Account, Change product key.

8. 8

   Open a few files and print a test page.

   Check your most-used publications before you delete any backup.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Six problems come up again and again when people move Publisher off Microsoft 365, and each one has a simple fix.

• Problem

  The installer says to remove another version first

  Fix: That is Microsoft's rule for one PC: remove the Microsoft 365 desktop apps or the other Office version first, or install Publisher on a different PC.

• Problem

  You still need Word and Excel on the same PC

  Fix: Choose Office Professional 2021: it includes Publisher, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access in one suite.

• Problem

  You will replace your computer later

  Fix: Keep your delivery email. Each license covers one PC, and our support team helps you reactivate on the new computer.

• Problem

  You are worried about your old files

  Fix: Publisher 2021 opens .pub files from earlier versions of Publisher. Open your most important ones first after installing.

• Problem

  Activation does not go through

  Fix: Reply to your delivery email and our support team will help.

• Problem

  You cannot find the download link

  Fix: It is in your delivery email. Check your spam or junk folder, and write to [email protected] if it has not arrived within 15 minutes.

Publisher for Churches, Schools and Small Offices

Organizations usually run Publisher on several computers, so plan one license per PC and decide which PCs keep the Microsoft 365 desktop apps.

• Each PC that runs Publisher needs its own license; the 2, 3 and 5 PC options cover small teams.
• For 6 or more PCs, request a quote at officeasap.com/quote.
• Keep the delivery email where the whole team can find it.
• Decide which PCs keep the Microsoft 365 desktop apps and which become Publisher PCs.

The Microsoft Dates That Matter

Two Microsoft dates decide what happens to Publisher: subscribers lost it in Microsoft 365 after October 1, 2026, and Microsoft support for the one-time versions ends October 13, 2026.

Microsoft left Publisher out of Office 2024 because Publisher is being retired in 2026.

So Office 2024 is not a way to get Publisher back.

Your Publisher Files: What Happens to Them

Your .pub files stay yours: nothing of yours is lost when you change Office versions, and Publisher 2021 opens and edits files from earlier versions of Publisher.

• Your documents stay on your PC or in your Microsoft account when you remove the Microsoft 365 desktop apps.
• Publisher 2021 can save your work as PDF or XPS for sharing and printing.
• For finished pieces you will not edit again, Microsoft recommends converting to PDF or Word.

Questions We Answer Every Day

Short answers to what people ask us most about keeping Publisher.

Why People Buy Publisher From OfficeASAP

OfficeASAP sells Publisher 2021 as a one-time purchase delivered by email, with a phone line for questions before you buy and email help after you buy.

• Questions before you buy: call 888-502-2182
• Email us any time: [email protected]
• License key and download link by email, usually within minutes
• Help after you buy: reply to your delivery email
• A 30-day return window (refund policy)

OfficeASAP sells the Publisher 2021 and Office Professional 2021 licenses linked on this page. OfficeASAP is an independent software seller and is not Microsoft.

Sources

The Microsoft facts on this page come from these Microsoft pages.

1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 (Microsoft Support): what changes for Microsoft 365 subscribers and for owners of the one-time version
2. Products reaching end of support in 2026 (Microsoft Learn): the October 13, 2026 end of support for Publisher 2021 and Office 2021
3. Publisher 2021 lifecycle (Microsoft Learn): retirement date 10/14/2026 6:59:59 AM Pacific Time
4. Office 2024 FAQ (Microsoft Support): which apps the Office 2024 editions include
5. What version of Office am I using? (Microsoft Support): where to read your Office product name
6. Install and use different versions of Office on the same PC (Microsoft Support): Microsoft 365 and one-time versions on one computer

Microsoft facts checked on October 2, 2026.