Microsoft Office's 35-year-old app is shutting down

(CLO) Microsoft has just confirmed that the Microsoft Publisher application will be discontinued in October 2026. The company recommends that users convert Publisher files before support ends.

The "perpetual" version of Publisher will officially be discontinued, and the app will also be removed from Microsoft 365. After this point, Publisher will no longer be accessible to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Microsoft kills Publisher app after 35 years of existence

However, if you're a loyal Publisher user, there's still some time to use it. Microsoft will allow you to download and use Publisher through Microsoft 365 until it's discontinued in 2026.

Alternatively, users can purchase a standalone Publisher license. After October 2026, the purchased version of Publisher will continue to function normally, allowing users to open and edit .pub files. However, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches or new feature updates.

Microsoft's support page suggests that the main reason is because Word and PowerPoint now have the full capabilities that Publisher offers. Microsoft recommends that Publisher users switch to Word for creating envelopes and letterhead and PowerPoint for designing business cards.

Additionally, Microsoft recommends that Microsoft 365 subscribers convert their .pub files to another format before support for the app is discontinued. This can be a laborious process, as users need to open each Publisher file and save it as a PDF. They can then open the PDF in Word or PowerPoint and save it in the native format of those apps. However, conversion may change the layout of the document.

Microsoft suggests that if users have a large number of Publisher files, they can create a script to automate the conversion process.

Publisher was first released in 1991, so it will have been around for 35 years when it officially dies in 2026. During that time, Publisher was integrated into Office 365 (now Microsoft 365), but most users still choose Word as an alternative.

Cao Phong (according to PCW, MSB, TC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ung-dung-da-ton-tai-35-nam-cua-microsoft-office-se-bi-dong-cua-post337593.html