Skype Made Simple: Beginner’s Guide With FAQs

We’ve gotten used to hanging out with each other through rectangles.

Thanks to video conferencing software, most employees are no longer bound to their office buildings to get work done. No matter where we are, we can still collaborate with colleagues and contribute to meetings.

While plenty of corporate telecommunications apps have been launched in the last couple of decades, Skype remains a well-known name. As a part of the Microsoft collaboration tools, millions of people across the world use it every single day. 

History of Skype

Skype history takes us back to August 2003, when Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis launched its beta version. Skype was initially called Skyper, which was an abbreviation of Sky-Peer-to-Peer. The first public version of the application only allowed PC to landline calls on a fee schedule. 

Better versions followed the initial 0.90 beta version, the most important of which was version 2.0, released in 2005. The new version revolutionized the internet calling industry, and Skype quickly gained popularity. In the same year, eBay acquired Skype for $2.5 billion and later backed off in 2008 after being dissatisfied with the investment. 

Skype continued releasing new features like improved video calling and screen sharing in the newer versions in the following years. In 2010-2011, Skype made its way to the mobile marketplace. In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for a whopping $8.5 billion, further boosting the application's expansion.

Today, Skype remains one of the most popular telecommunication software, with more than 300 million monthly active users.

How does Skype work?

Since its inception in 2003, Skype has been one of the most successful video conferencing platforms because of the exceptional technology that goes behind connecting people.

At its core, Skype works on a shared technological architecture. Let's look into the different technologies and detail of how Skype works.

• Voice over internet protocol (VoIP). It is a service that converts audio and video into computer data and uses the internet to transfer the same data around the world. At the receiving end, the digital data is converted back into analog audio and video signals using a coder-decoder (codec) algorithm. 
• Numbers. Unlike smartphones, you don’t need to have a specific dial to make a call. You simply use internet services to make an audio or video call. Though it doesn’t consume your data plan, you still need a viable and strong internet connection to make a Skype call.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) connection. It lets devices connect directly without a central server. By combining VoIP and P2P with encryption technology that protects the privacy of all its clients, Skype provides a comprehensive set of online communication services. 
• Supernodes. Skype assigns some computers as supernodes or hubs in a central network which apparently drains their bandwidth and impairs the internet connection. You can choose to allow/disallow Skype from draining your bandwidth by closing the application when not needed.

Skype download

Getting started with Skype is quick and easy: just create an account on Microsoft. Then, download the application available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android or check out their web application. 

How to download Skype

 To download Skype on your desktop or mobile, follow the steps below.

• Go to www.Skype.com
• Select the Downloads tab from the header.
• Select your device from the drop-down menu for desktop and the app store for mobile.
• Download and install the application on your device.
• Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new account to get started.

For a more personalized experience, you can also select different languages from the drop-down menu on the bottom left of the page.

Download Skype for mobile phones

Skype is available to download for both Android and iOS, and the website gives you the option to download the application on mobile via Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Scan the QR code displayed in the download window for a quicker download.

You can also open Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search for Skype to download the application on your Android, tablet, iPhone, or iPad. Click on install and launch the app. Sign in to start using Skype.

Download Skype for desktop

The drop-down menu in the Get Skype window features Mac, Windows, and Linux. It ensures that Skype functions properly in your operating system. Select your device from the list and start downloading.

1. Download Skype for Mac

Select Get Skype for Mac on the drop-down menu. Once downloaded, choose applications as your install location. Next, click on the Skype icon to run it. Log in using your Microsoft account info.

2. Download Skype for Windows

Select Get Skype for Windows on the drop-down menu for Windows 10 and older. Once downloaded and installed, double-click on the application to run it.

How to set up Skype

Setting up Skype requires a device and a stable internet connection. Once you’ve installed the application, you’ll provide basics about yourself, such as name, email, and password, to create a new account. Customize your profile by adding more information, and then start enjoying high-quality audio and video chat.

Create Skype account

The process of creating a Skype account is straightforward. Follow these steps to create an account. 

• Launch the application by clicking on the Skype icon.
• Click on the Sign in or Create button.
• Next, click on Create one! You can create an account using your phone number or email address.
  
  
• Create a password. Make sure to use good password practices to keep your account secure. You might even want to consult free password manager software to stay extra safe.
• Fill in your name and profile picture. You can skip adding the photo.
  
  
  
• The next step is validating your Skype account. Skype will send you a four-digit verification code to your email or cell phone. A CAPTCHA test follows to confirm that your account is not bot-created.
• Once the verification is complete, you'll be asked to grant Skype access to your camera and microphone. You can also test your audio and video settings by following the prompts.
  
  
  
• You’re all done!  You can start using Skype!
  

How to change Skype name

Whether you made your account in middle school using an embarrassing name or you’re just looking to make a slight update to match your professional image, you can use the following steps to change your Skype name.

• Click on your profile picture in the upper left-hand corner.
• In the main menu, click on the Skype profile button.
  
• Click on the pencil icon on the right-hand side of your current Skype name.
• Change your name in the editable text box. 
  
• Save your changes by clicking the checkmark.
• Exit your profile by clicking the X in the top left corner. 
  

How to change your email on Skype

When you create your Skype account, the email address you provide becomes your primary email associated with the account. It’s used for important communications from Skype, like account notifications, verification, billing information, and password reset requests. 

If you no longer have access to the primary email address or want to change it to a different email, follow the instructions below:

• Go to the website https://secure.Skype.com/portal/overview.
• Log in using your credentials.
• Click on edit profile.
  
  
  
• Scroll down to contact details and click edit profile. 
• Change your primary email address and click save. 
  

You can also add multiple email addresses by clicking add email address.

How to change profile picture on Skype

Your profile picture on any application is an important aspect of your account. It makes it easy for other people to find you. By default, Skype uses a silhouette for your profile picture. To change it, follow the steps below:

• Open Skype on your desktop.
• Click on your profile picture icon in the dashboard.
• In the new window, click on Skype profile.
  
  
• Click on the profile picture section again, and choose to upload a new photo, view your current profile picture, or remove the profile picture.

How to use Skype

Using Skype is quite intuitive. Add your contacts to your contact list by searching for their Skype name, number, or email address. Once your contacts have been added, you can go to their chat screen to make video calls, voice calls, or send instant messages. Skype also lets users share screens, record calls, and set customized ringtones to elevate user experience.

Read on to learn more about adding contacts, making calls, and using the other features below.

How to add someone on Skype

To chat with someone on Skype, you need to add them as a contact and wait for them to accept your invitation. However, in the paid version, you can even call or text people who don’t have a Skype account.

Follow the steps below to find people on Skype and add them as contacts. 

• Launch Skype by clicking on the application icon.
• Click on contacts and then on new contact. If you’re using Skype on your phone, go to the bottom-right corner of the screen, click on contacts, and then on the add contact icon.
  
  
• A new window will open where you can search for people using their Skype name, full name, phone number, or email address.
  
• Click on the profile of the contact you want to add and click on add contact.
  
  
  

How to block someone on Skype

Blocking a contact prevents them from sending you messages, calling, or checking your online activity. To avoid any further communication from a contact, follow the steps here.

• Open the Skype application.
• From the contact or chat screen, select the contact you want to block.
• Right-click on their profile and select view profile.
• From the profile window, scroll to the bottom and select block contact.
• Next, click on block. The contact will be blocked, and the chat will be archived automatically.
• You can also report abuse from a contact on the same screen.
  
  

How to unblock someone on Skype

Using the unblocking feature, you can restore communication with a contact. You’ll need to launch Skype on your computer or phone and sign in. Once you’ve done so, it’s time to learn how to unblock a user.

• Click your profile picture.
• Click Settings.
• Click Contacts.
• Click Blocked Contacts.
• Click Unblock next to the user’s name you want to unblock.

How to video call someone on Skype

Skype is a reliable and cost-effective way to connect with friends or business associates. It allows you to make video and voice calls anytime, anywhere, and on any device. 

You can make a call using your desktop, mobile, or laptop using these steps.

• Open the Skype application.
• Search for the person you want to call by going to chats or  contacts, or by searching in the search bar right below your profile picture.
• Open the contact's profile and click on the icons in the top right to start a video or voice call.
• Skype will ask for permission to use your microphone and camera. Follow the on-screen prompts to allow access.
  

How to share screen on Skype

One of the more popular Skype features is screen share, which allows users to collaborate efficiently by sharing their screen on a call. Although Skype has rolled out different versions of its program for personal or professional use, all versions allow users to access the screen share feature.

• Log into Skype.
• Start a Skype video call.
• Select the screen share icon in the bottom-right corner.
• Choose the screen you want to share.
• Click on start sharing.

How to record a Skype call

Call recordings are very helpful in cases when you miss taking the minutes of a meeting or want to review an interview to prepare better for the next round. The built-in call recording feature works on desktops and mobile phones.

All participants are notified of the call recording once initiated. The maximum duration for recording is 24 hours, and the call recording is available to download from the chat for 30 days.

To record a Skype call on a desktop, follow the steps below:

• Open the Skype application.
• Search for the person you want to call from your contact list.
• Select either video or audio call option to connect.
• Click on the three-dotted menu button in the bottom right corner of the screen and select start recording to begin.
• Using the same three dots, click on stop recording when you want to end a call.
• To download the call recording, go to the chat where the call was initiated and click on the three dots for more options. 
• Select save to downloads.

How to start a group video call on Skype

Group calls are convenient for sharing a common message with a bunch of people, whether you’re hosting a business meeting, brainstorming ideas with your team, or connecting with family members. Skype lets users communicate with up to 100 people at a time using the group call feature. Participants can even share their screens and send instant messages during the call.

Follow the steps given below to call a new group. 

• Open Skype.
• Go to the calls tab.
• Select new call and add up to 100 contacts from your contact list.
• Click on call.

 You can create a group beforehand and use the video and voice call icons on the chat screen above to call the group.

How to schedule a Skype meeting

With Skype’s meeting feature, it’s easy to schedule a meeting with your peers in advance and set a reminder, as well. You can add the date, time, agenda, and other information about the meeting before sending an invitation.

To schedule a meeting, go through these steps.

• Open the Skype application.
• Go to the chat of the person you want to schedule a call with.
• Click on the add-ins menu, represented by three dots on the desktop.
• Select the option schedule a call.
        
  
• Next, give your meeting a title, date, and time. You can also set a reminder for the call.
• Click on send. The recipient will be notified of the scheduled call.
• You can also edit the details of the meeting by clicking on the message in the chat.

How to send a voice message on Skype

Skype provides a convenient way to send voice messages to your contacts, whether they’re online or offline. Voice messages are great for when you are on the go and can’t make a call or send a text. The voice message feature allows recording up to five-minute voice notes, which the recipient can listen to at their convenience.

To send a voice message:

• Open the application.
• Select the person or group you want to send a voice note to from the chats or contacts.
• Tap on the microphone icon to record your voice message.
• Select the send audio message icon to send it to your contacts.         
• To delete the audio note, select the three dots next to the audio message and click on remove.
  

How to call a phone number on Skype

Calling someone on their mobile or landline is a premium feature. It’s available through Skype credit or a subscription. To call a phone number through Skype, walk through these steps.

• Open the Skype application.
• Click on the dial pad next to the search bar.
• Select a country from the drop-down menu to call an international number. To call an existing contact, you can either search for their number or use the letter combination on the dial pad.
  
  
• You can also send texts by clicking on the message icon located on the bottom left of the dial pad window.

Uninstall Skype

Although Skype is a great video conferencing software for businesses and individuals to use, there may come a time when you no longer need an account if you end up with duplicate accounts or if you don’t need video conferencing anymore.

How to delete Skype account

The steps for deleting a Skype account are more convoluted than most and can be pretty frustrating. This is because your Skype account is directly linked to your Microsoft account, so deleting your Skype account will also remove access to your Outlook inbox, OneDrive documents, and other accounts tied to Microsoft.

Follow these steps to delete your Skype account:

• Visit Microsoft’s account closure page.
• Verify your identity.
• Double-check before proceeding.
• Review for closure.
• Click Done.

How to uninstall Skype

To uninstall Skype on your Android device, go to the application manager under settings, search for Skype, and tap uninstall. On an iOS device, simply press and hold the Skype icon until a drop-down menu appears. Tap Remove App. In the next screen, tap Delete App to confirm. 

Follow the steps below to uninstall Skype on Windows and Mac. 

How to uninstall Skype on Windows:

• Quit Skype by right-clicking on the application from the taskbar and clicking on quit.
• Click on the start button and select settings.
• Select Apps, search for Skype, and click on it.
• Click on uninstall.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

How to uninstall Skype on Mac:

• Start by quitting Skype.
• Open the applications folder and drag the copy of Skype to the trash.
• Open Finder and search for Skype. Move all the results to trash.
• Right-click on the bin to empty the trash.
• Restart your desktop.

Skype for business

Skype for Business is an enterprise-oriented version of Skype with additional features, room for more people in meetings, enterprise-grade security, employee account management, and integration with other Office applications. 

As per Microsoft, Teams is set to replace Skype for Business as the new business communication solution.

Skype for Business vs. Teams

Microsoft Teams is a team communication tool that hosts up to 1000 participants in meetings. Users can record calls, transcript meetings, and chat in real-time with an individual or a group. It offers an additional cloud storage of 5 GB and can be integrated with 700+ ERPs. Microsoft Teams is available as a free trial or can be purchased on your Microsoft license.

Skype for Business is an advanced version of Skype built for enterprises. This version can host up to 250 participants and integrate with other Microsoft Office applications. Skype for Business offers enterprise-grade security to the users, along with other features like real-time chat, automated transcription, meeting broadcast, call recording, hand raising, and more. The most basic plan (Online plan 1) costs $2 per month for each user.

Skype troubleshooting 

No matter how fast or reliable your internet connection might be, Skype encounters audio or video glitches at times. The hurdles happen due to trouble in the hypertext transmission protocol (HTTP) or network breakdowns. But mostly, a poor internet connection is the culprit for the constant application freezing. Other common issues include app crashes and connectivity issues.

Check out the Skype support page for more troubleshooting information.

How to fix screen sharing on Skype

Try updating the application to the latest version and then closing other applications that may be slowing your system down.

Skype crashes when I call

These adjustments can help if your Skype keeps crashing while making a call.

• Update Skype to ensure you have the latest version.
• Disable the firewall temporarily to see if it’s causing any problems.
• Check your internet connection.
• Uninstall Skype, restart your device, and reinstall.
• If the issue persists, consider contacting Skype support for further assistance.

How to stop Skype from starting automatically

In most cases of Skype installation on Windows, Skype is configured to launch upon starting the system. To stop Skype from starting automatically, follow the steps below.

• Open Skype, click on options, and uncheck automatically start Skype from the application settings tab. Close Skype and restart your desktop to see if the problem persists.
• You can also disable Skype startup from the task manager. Open the task manager and go to the startup tab. Find Skype from the list and disable it from the list of computer’s startup items. Restart your computer to see if the process worked.

Skype: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How to use Skype for free?

Skype provides free Skype-to-Skype video and audio calls for people anywhere in the world. Users can also share files, send audio notes, and use chat for free by creating an account. Only premium services like voicemail, texting, and calling phone numbers come with a fee.

How many people can be on a Skype call at once?

You can have up to 100 people join in a Skype video call for free for 24 hours.

How to mute a Skype chat?

To turn off notifications for a chat, follow the steps below.

• Select the contact by navigating through the chats or contacts screen.
• Click on the settings icon next to the contact’s name.
• Scroll down in the new window to select chat settings.
• Toggle the on and off buttons next to notifications to mute or unmute a chat.

How to edit Skype messages?

To edit a message you’ve sent, hover over it and click on the three dots next to the message. Select edit from the menu and make changes as required. Hit send.

How to use Skype on the web?

To access Skype via the web, go to web.Skype.com. Sign in using your Microsoft account and start calling or using the messenger from your browser.

How to change your Skype password?

To change your Skype password, follow the steps below.

• Go to the website https://secure.Skype.com/portal/overview.
• Scroll down and click on Change password.
• Verify your account using your credentials.
• Enter your existing and new passwords and save the change.

How to cancel a Skype subscription?

Follow the steps given below to cancel your Skype subscription.

• Go to https://secure.Skype.com/portal/overview.
• Select "Manage" for the subscription you want to cancel.
• Click on cancel a subscription.
• Select your reason for canceling the subscription and click cancel subscription again.

What is the difference between Skype vs. Zoom?

With the increase in remote work, the need for video conferencing software has followed suit. Zoom is another known teleconferencing software for communication and collaboration. While it shares similar features with Skype, like audio and video conferencing, screen sharing, and file sharing, noteworthy differences exist. Let’s keep reading to understand more about the differences between Skype and Zoom.

*Available with Zoom’s paid plan.
**Can increase with paid plan.
***Available with paid plan.

Skype is here to stay

Collaboration is essential to the success of any project. Skype enables you to connect with your peers from around the world with the convenience of a click.

Boasting a user-friendly interface and robust features, like video calls, voice calls, instant messaging, and file sharing, you can communicate and share ideas more efficiently.

Learn about other team collaboration tools to boost productivity and achieve better results.