Microsoft retires Publisher and ends support for Office 2021

Microsoft has officially ended support for several legacy software products, marking the conclusion of a 35-year run for Microsoft Publisher. The retirement occurred in two stages: Publisher was removed from the Microsoft 365 subscription bundle on October 1, 2026, and support for perpetual license versions, including Office 2021, Office LTSC 2021, Visio LTSC 2021, and Project LTSC 2021, ended on October 13, 2026.

With the cessation of support, these products will no longer receive security patches, bug fixes, or technical assistance, potentially increasing cybersecurity risks for organizations and individuals. While existing applications may still function, users are urged to migrate to supported solutions such as Microsoft 365 or Office LTSC 2024 to ensure continued protection against vulnerabilities.

For users with legacy .pub files, Microsoft suggests using Word or PowerPoint for basic layouts, or the Microsoft Create platform for AI-assisted design. Alternatives like LibreOffice Draw are also noted for their ability to open and edit Publisher files, helping users salvage text and simple layouts from the proprietary format.