diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 15cc4492..30b961d4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ jobs:
           auto-activate-base: true
           activate-environment: ''
           channels: conda-forge
-      # downgrade conda since v22.11.1 is causing issues in "Create Application Server Installer" step
-      - run: conda install -c conda-forge conda=22.11.1 python=3.10 -y
+      # upgrade conda since v22.11.1 is causing issues in "Install dependencies" step
+      - run: conda install -c conda-forge conda=24.5.0 python=3.10 -y
 
       - name: Install node
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ jobs:
         # pin Pillow version to prevent Windows build errors
         run: |
           npm install --global yarn --prefer-offline
-          conda install --solver=classic conda-forge::conda-libmamba-solver conda-forge::libmamba conda-forge::libmambapy conda-forge::libarchive
-          conda install -c conda-forge constructor Pillow=9.3.0
           yarn install
 
       - name: Check JupyterLab version match
@@ -82,10 +80,6 @@ jobs:
             return releaseWithTag ? 'true' : 'false'
           result-encoding: string
 
-      - name: Create Application Server Installer
-        run: |
-          yarn create_env_installer:${{ matrix.cfg.platform }}
-
       - name: Create Application Installer for Test
         env:
           CSC_IDENTITY_AUTO_DISCOVERY: false # disable code signing if not release asset