Quick answer: Microsoft removed Publisher from Microsoft 365 on or shortly after 1 October 2026, and says subscribers can't install or download it any more. Your .pub files aren't deleted from your PC, OneDrive or SharePoint. Open them free in your browser with Free Pub Editor.
Where did Publisher go?
Microsoft retired it. Its support page says that after October 2026, Publisher "will no longer be included in Microsoft 365" (Microsoft Support). For subscribers, Microsoft says access ends "on or shortly after October 1, 2026, as the removal update process rolls out."
That "rolls out" wording explains a common puzzle: Publisher may disappear from one computer days before another, or from a home PC before a work laptop. Nothing is wrong with the computer that lost it first.
Microsoft's page talks about "Microsoft 365 subscribers" in general and doesn't exempt any plan, so this covers home, business, school and work subscriptions alike. Microsoft hasn't announced any plan to bring Publisher back.
Can I reinstall Publisher?
Not through Microsoft 365. Microsoft's FAQ answers this directly: with a subscription, Publisher "will no longer be available for installation or download after October 2026."
So running an Office repair, reinstalling Microsoft 365, or signing out and back in won't bring Publisher back. They can still be useful if Word or Excel are misbehaving, but they won't restore Publisher.
The one exception is if you also own a one-off copy, such as Office 2021 Professional or Publisher 2021. Microsoft says perpetual owners "will still be able to install and use the app beyond this date", although support ended on 13 October 2026. For more on that route and its risks, see can you still get Publisher?
Is Publisher in Office 2024 or Microsoft 365 on the web?
- Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024: no. Microsoft says Publisher "is not included with Office LTSC 2024" because of its planned retirement (Microsoft Learn), and its Office 2024 FAQ doesn't list Publisher in Office Home 2024 or Office Home & Business 2024.
- The web and mobile apps: Microsoft's retirement page doesn't mention a web or mobile version of Publisher as a replacement, and its suggested alternatives are other apps.
What happens to my .pub files in OneDrive and SharePoint?
They stay where they are. Microsoft's retirement page is about the app and doesn't mention deleting any files. In fact, it suggests searching for ".Pub" on your PC, OneDrive or SharePoint to locate your Publisher files.
What changes is what you can do with them:
| Where the file is | Still there? | Opens in Microsoft 365? | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your PC or a USB drive | Yes | No, Publisher has been removed | Open it in Free Pub Editor |
| OneDrive | Yes | No preview; .pub isn't on Microsoft's preview list | Download it, then open it |
| SharePoint or Teams | Yes | No preview, as above | Download it, then open it |
| Email attachment | Yes | No | Save it, then open it |
On previews: Microsoft says OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams can preview "hundreds of file types", but its published list doesn't include PUB (Microsoft Support).
One thing to watch: if your Microsoft 365 subscription lapses, Microsoft says your OneDrive storage drops to the free 5 GB. If you stay over that limit, it says your account can be frozen after three months and files may be deleted after six (Microsoft Support). That's a storage rule, not a Publisher rule, but it's a good reason to keep a copy of important .pub files somewhere else too.
What does Microsoft suggest instead?
For new work, Microsoft recommends Word and PowerPoint, and templates from Microsoft Create. Its table suggests Word for newsletters, letterheads, labels and envelopes; PowerPoint for banners, signs and posters; and either for flyers, brochures, certificates, business cards and calendars.
For existing files, Microsoft's advice was to save them as PDF from Publisher, then open the PDF in Word if you need to edit. Microsoft notes the Word version is "optimized for text editing" and its layout may vary from the original. Both steps need Publisher installed, which is exactly what subscribers no longer have.
How do I open my files now?
- If the file is in OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams, download it to your computer.
- Go to Free Pub Editor in Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox, on Windows, Mac, ChromeOS or Linux.
- Click Open and choose the .pub file. It's processed in your browser and never uploaded, which matters for staff, student or church member details.
- Edit as needed, then Save an editable .fpe copy, or Export PDF to share or print. PNG and JPEG export are there too.
It opens files from Publisher 2002 onwards, including those made in Microsoft 365, with layout, fonts, pictures, shapes, tables and master pages. It handles one file at a time. If you have a big shared library, see converting many .pub files for how to prioritise.
Wondering whether a browser tool is safe for this? We explain how it works in is it safe to open .pub files online?