Publisher 2021 end of support: what changes on October 13, 2026
Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021, including Publisher 2021, reached end of support on October 13, 2026. Unlike the Microsoft 365 version, which was removed on October 1, the perpetual Publisher keeps running. But it is a good moment to get your important documents out of the .pub format.
What end of support means
- Publisher 2021 keeps opening, editing and saving .pub files.
- No security updates, no bug fixes, no Microsoft support.
- Future Windows updates or new PCs may eventually break it, and there is no newer version to move to.
Convert the files you care about now
If you still have Publisher 2021, the simplest route is File → Save As → PDF inside Publisher. If you no longer have it, or you have more files than patience, use the converter below.
What converts well, and what doesn't
| Content | Word (.docx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Text boxes, headings, columns | Exact | Good, positions may shift |
| Pictures, logos, clip art | Exact | Kept as images |
| Tables | Exact | Usually recognised as tables |
| Shapes, borders, backgrounds | Exact | Converted to images or dropped |
| WordArt and text effects | Often missing | Missing |
| Master pages, page numbers | Mostly kept | Partly |
That is why every file shows a preview first. If the preview is wrong, don't pay: write to us and we will try it by hand, or use the free offline methods.
What happened to Microsoft Publisher
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Publisher is removed from Microsoft 365 as the update rolls out. Subscribers can no longer open or edit .pub files in Publisher, and it can no longer be installed. |
| October 13, 2026 | Publisher 2021 (the perpetual licence sold with Office 2021 / Office LTSC 2021) reaches end of support together with Office 2021. It keeps working without updates or support. |
| Microsoft's advice | "Convert your existing files to another format": PDF to view, Word to keep editing. Microsoft's bulk script (Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1) only works on a PC that still has a licensed Publisher. |
Source: Microsoft's support article "Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026".
Related
FAQ
Does Publisher 2021 stop opening on October 13, 2026?
No. Perpetual licences keep working. End of support means no more security updates, bug fixes or help from Microsoft.
Is it safe to keep using Publisher 2021?
For opening your own files, yes. Opening .pub files from unknown senders becomes riskier over time because security fixes stop.
Can I move my Publisher 2021 licence to a new PC?
Retail licences can usually be reinstalled on a new PC; you cannot download it as part of Microsoft 365 any more.
Which Publisher versions are supported?
Files saved by Publisher 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and Microsoft 365. Very old Publisher 97/98/2000 files sometimes work, sometimes not; the preview will tell you.
Is it safe to upload my files?
Files are stored encrypted at rest on Cloudflare, processed by our converter, and deleted automatically after 7 days. Nobody looks at them. See the privacy policy.