HardwarePremium and Windows Latest reported on October 13 that Microsoft Publisher had stopped working on some PCs. For anyone trying to preserve .pub files, the practical catch is that Microsoft’s retirement and conversion guidance requires a working, licensed Publisher installation to run its PowerShell conversion sample. The script can’t replace the app it uses to export the files.
Two different Publisher deadlines
Microsoft’s schedule called for the update removing Publisher access from Microsoft 365 to begin rolling out on October 1, 2026, with access ending on or shortly after that date. Once access is removed, Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit .pub files in Publisher.
Support for perpetual Publisher ends October 13, 2026, alongside support for Office LTSC 2021 and Consumer Office 2021. Microsoft says a perpetual copy may remain installable and usable afterward, but it will no longer receive Microsoft support.
Microsoft gives a broad rationale for product retirements: focusing on new benefits. In Microsoft Q&A, users also raised concerns about the cost and difficulty of switching tools and preserving access to digital documents over time.
The conversion script needs Publisher
Microsoft’s Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 sample runs in PowerShell, Microsoft’s command-line scripting environment. It can export a selected file or matching files in a folder, and its -Recurse option includes subfolders. If a PDF with the same name already exists, the sample reports an error rather than overwriting it. You can download Microsoft’s script, but it still needs Publisher installed, working and licensed to perform the export.
That requirement matters when planning a batch conversion: the script automates exports from Publisher; it is not a standalone .pub converter. If Publisher access has already been removed from your Microsoft 365 installation, the sample cannot run there as a substitute for the application.
PDF preserves a copy; Word can change the layout
Microsoft recommends saving Publisher documents as PDFs to preserve their content. The manual route is to open a .pub file in Publisher and choose File > Save as > PDF. A PDF is a useful preserved copy, while opening it in Word creates a document optimized for editing text. Microsoft cautions that the layout may vary, especially for files with many graphics.
Rob, of RLS Computer Services - Tech Talk, demonstrates importing Publisher-exported PDFs into Canva and editing text boxes in a poster and a multi-page magazine. The example shows that workflow on those files.
Microsoft’s suggestions for new documents
For many common Publisher tasks, Microsoft recommends Word or PowerPoint. It specifically points to PowerPoint for banners, signs and posters.
