Microsoft closes the book on Publisher and unplugs Project Online
Office 2021 joins the October retirement list as customers weigh pricier alternatives
Microsoft is concluding support for two of its products, Publisher and Project Online, as of the coming weeks. Publisher, a desktop publishing application, has roots dating back to the Windows 3.x era. The company announced the retirement of Project Online on September 30, with Project Online Essentials - a more affordable option - reaching end of life the following day.
Both products have no direct replacements from Microsoft, but organizations are advised to migrate users to alternative solutions like Planner Plan 1 or Planner and Project Plan 3. Microsoft will cease support for perpetual versions of Publisher and Office 2021 on October 13, ending support for Consumer Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021.
While Microsoft won't offer Extended Security Updates for Office 2021 after its support ends, third-party provider 0patch plans to supply unofficial security fixes for at least three more years. Organizations with Project Online Essentials licenses must transfer affected users to supported alternatives before October 1 to prevent service interruptions.
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