Microsoft's Publisher retirement guidance distinguishes Microsoft 365 subscriptions from perpetual editions. Its current support page says Microsoft 365 subscribers will not be able to access Publisher after October 1, 2026. Support for the perpetual version ends October 13, 2026, alongside Office LTSC 2021 and Consumer Office 2021.
This does not mean every Publisher installation becomes unusable on October 1. Microsoft's FAQ says people with a perpetual version can still access and edit their files after support ends, and can continue installing and using the app. End of support is different from the subscription access cutoff.
For subscription users, Microsoft recommends converting existing Publisher files to another format. Saving a PDF preserves a viewable copy; opening that PDF in Word can provide an editable version. Microsoft cautions that Word conversion is optimized for text editing and the layout may differ, especially in documents with many graphics.
The support page points to Word and PowerPoint for common tasks such as labels, envelopes, calendars, business cards and programs. It does not promise that a complex Publisher document will migrate unchanged.
The practical check is which edition you have and whether you need a viewable archive or an editable replacement. The dates above are Microsoft's published retirement guidance, not a test of access to any particular user's installation. No files were converted or deleted as part of this brief.