Microsoft has announced that Skype, the widely used internet chat and phone service, will close in May. The company shared this news on X, informing users about the platform’s impending shutdown.
A Legacy of Free Global Communication
Skype revolutionized online communication by allowing people to make free computer-to-computer voice and video calls. It was not the first platform to offer this feature, but it played a key role in popularizing internet-based calling. At its peak, Skype had hundreds of millions of users and was among the most visited websites worldwide.
Users can continue their conversations by signing into Microsoft Teams with their existing Skype accounts. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion (£6.1 billion), marking its largest purchase at that time. Over the years, Skype was integrated with various Microsoft products, including Windows and Xbox.
In December 2010, a major global outage disrupted Skype’s services for two days. Tech analyst Om Malik called it one of the “key applications of the modern web” at the time.
Users Recall Skype’s Impact
Following the closure announcement, past and present users shared their memories of Skype. Many described how the service connected them with loved ones across the world.
One X user reflected, “My best friend and I shared many good memories on Skype. It feels like losing a part of my adolescence.”
Another early user, Louise, recalled how she relied on Skype for video calls when she and her partner started a long-distance relationship. “Before smartphones and WhatsApp, Skype was an exciting innovation. It made global communication feel effortless.”
Anna Simpson, a marketing professional, shared her experience on LinkedIn. “I used to video-call my grandparents in France nearly 20 years ago. It felt like magic. No expensive international charges—just a dial-up connection and a pixelated screen keeping us together.”
Why Skype Is Shutting Down
When Microsoft bought Skype, it had been downloaded one billion times and was a dominant force in online communication. Microsoft’s then-CEO, Steve Ballmer, expressed confidence in Skype’s future, stating that together they would shape real-time communications.
However, as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger gained traction, Skype’s influence diminished. In 2017, Microsoft redesigned Skype with Snapchat-like features, frustrating longtime users. Tech reporter Rachel Kaser noted, “People disliked this update because it changed what was never broken.”
Speculation about Skype’s decline intensified in 2021 when Microsoft launched Windows 11. Unlike previous versions, Windows 11 did not include Skype by default, instead promoting Microsoft Teams. Teams grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses and individuals relied on it for online meetings.
Following Skype’s closure announcement, Microsoft’s President of Collaborative Apps, Jeff Teper, explained the decision in a blog post. He emphasized the company’s goal to streamline its free communication services and focus on Teams. “Teams provides the core features of Skype, including one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing,” he stated. “It also offers advanced tools like meeting hosting, calendar management, and community building.”
Skype users must now choose whether to switch to Microsoft Teams or export their data, including chats, contacts, and call history. Customers with paid Skype features can continue using them until their next renewal date.
