Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
5/14/2026 7:49:52 AM EDT
Was told by a friend that Publisher is stopping no longer going to be offered or supported by Microsoft later in the year.

I use this program daily with my work.

Is it possible to buy it on a disk and continue use the current version?

How I use it now is fine and hope it stays the same way forever.

Whats my options?
5/14/2026 12:57:12 PM EDT
[#1]
Try taking a look at this article.

Mike
5/14/2026 1:29:19 PM EDT
[#2]
We use it a lot and bought office software (not office 360).
"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
5/14/2026 2:14:56 PM EDT
[#3]
Originally Posted By swampfoxoutdoors:
Was told by a friend that Publisher is stopping no longer going to be offered or supported by Microsoft later in the year.

I use this program daily with my work.

Is it possible to buy it on a disk and continue use the current version?

How I use it now is fine and hope it stays the same way forever.

Whats my options?
View Quote
Short answer: Yes
Longer answer: You'll need to buy a standalone version of Microsoft Office 2021 Pro or Pro Plus, which includes Publisher. They include the last version of Publisher. Standalone 2024 doesn't include it and Office 2021 for home of student version doesn't include it. And per the linked article above, MS Office 365 will refuse to open PUB files after the drop-dead date.

But if you have the standalone version, you can continue using it, creating and printing publisher documents and such. However, Microsoft won't be providing any patches or updates for it. If you're on a local workstation without internet access, I don't see that you need to worry about this.

Microsoft makes it difficult to buy standalone versions of Office. They REALLY want you to use Office 365 and keep paying that monthly subscription money. The answer is to buy a key from one of the many online MS key websites. It'll probably cost you $15-20 and they provide links to download the Office install files.

This is not illegal and is not piracy. Most of these keys are sold by companies that have extra licenses they've already purchased. Microsoft's policies don't allow them to resell the license. But EU law tells Microsoft to shove it and that companies can resell them just fine. So I feel zero angst about purchasing these license keys and have done so many times in the past. In the off chance that the key won't activate, you email the seller and they'll send you another one, typically within minutes.

OP, are you currently using a standalone version of Publisher, or using MS Office 365?
In the beginning, the universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry, and has been widely regarded as a bad move. -Douglas Adams
5/14/2026 2:53:00 PM EDT
[#4]
MSFT is pushing the subscription-all-the-things model ultra hard, using Onedrive being to condition users into being accustomed to relying on cloud storage & "services" for everything. I turned it off in all my devices & deleted the app, though I'm assuming it'll get reinstalled on the PC with the next update, so I'll have to wipe it again.
5/14/2026 3:22:46 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Master_Blaster:
MSFT is pushing the subscription-all-the-things model ultra hard, using Onedrive being to condition users into being accustomed to relying on cloud storage & "services" for everything. I turned it off in all my devices & deleted the app, though I'm assuming it'll get reinstalled on the PC with the next update, so I'll have to wipe it again.
View Quote
Install Windows 11 LTSC instead. It won't get reinstalled automatically.

There's an LTSC version of standalone office too. Designed for stability, not for every new shiny feature.
In the beginning, the universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry, and has been widely regarded as a bad move. -Douglas Adams
5/14/2026 3:43:38 PM EDT
[#6]
Originally Posted By Sartorius:
Short answer: Yes
Longer answer: You'll need to buy a standalone version of Microsoft Office 2021 Pro or Pro Plus, which includes Publisher. They include the last version of Publisher. Standalone 2024 doesn't include it and Office 2021 for home of student version doesn't include it. And per the linked article above, MS Office 365 will refuse to open PUB files after the drop-dead date.

But if you have the standalone version, you can continue using it, creating and printing publisher documents and such. However, Microsoft won't be providing any patches or updates for it. If you're on a local workstation without internet access, I don't see that you need to worry about this.

Microsoft makes it difficult to buy standalone versions of Office. They REALLY want you to use Office 365 and keep paying that monthly subscription money. The answer is to buy a key from one of the many online MS key websites. It'll probably cost you $15-20 and they provide links to download the Office install files.

This is not illegal and is not piracy. Most of these keys are sold by companies that have extra licenses they've already purchased. Microsoft's policies don't allow them to resell the license. But EU law tells Microsoft to shove it and that companies can resell them just fine. So I feel zero angst about purchasing these license keys and have done so many times in the past. In the off chance that the key won't activate, you email the seller and they'll send you another one, typically within minutes.

OP, are you currently using a standalone version of Publisher, or using MS Office 365?
View Quote


We have 365 now and not a huge fan. Honestly what I do now I could be set for the rest of my business life. I do not need any additional software other than word and publisher. Everything else I do is available on a online case tracking/ management software.
5/14/2026 4:00:40 PM EDT
[#7]
I own a funeral home and we use it to produce our own custom memorials (what is handed out at a service). I like publisher due to the fact I have 3 versions saved depending if I making a small ( 2 memorial per page 8.5x11) Medium (mostly used, 2 memorials per legal size) or large (1 memorial per 8.5x11). I can drag and drop images that I edit on other programs or clip art for each family. Since each one is diffrent but uses the same setup it makes it super easy and quick and produces a nice product for the family. Not some mass print soulless garbage.

Sign up to continue the discussion

Create a free account to share your thoughts, follow topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.

Already a member? Sign In