How to Use Skype on Windows

Open the Start screen., Click or tap the "Store" button., Search for "Skype"., Select the "Skype" option., Click or tap the "Install" button. , Switch to a Microsoft account if you aren't using one., Enter your Microsoft account information., Return...

14 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Open the Start screen.

    You can access the Start screen by pressing the ⊞ Win key or by clicking the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the Desktop view (Windows
    8.1 only).
  2. Step 2: Click or tap the "Store" button.

    This will open the Windows store. , The search bar is in the upper-right corner of the Store window. , Make sure that you choose the Skype app, and not one of the related search results. ,, If you set up Windows to use local accounts instead of a Microsoft account, you will be prompted to switch to using a Microsoft account.

    If you'd prefer to continue using your local account, select "Sign into each app separately". , This is the account that you use to sign in to Skype.

    If you signed up for Skype before it changed to Microsoft accounts, you can use your Skype login information. , You should see the SKype tile appear in your list of applications. , You will be asked if Skype can access your webcam (if one is installed). , You will be taken to the main Skype screen after logging in., Click or tap a contact in the list on the right to begin a conversation.

    You can see all of your contacts by clicking the "people" menu., If you have a webcam installed, you can start a voice or video chat with your contacts.

    Open a contact's conversation page and click either the phone (voice) or camera (video) to start a chat., This button looks like magnifying glass.

    You can search for other Skype users by their usernames or email addresses., Click your profile image in the upper-right corner to change your online status and set your mood.
  3. Step 3: Search for "Skype".

  4. Step 4: Select the "Skype" option.

  5. Step 5: Click or tap the "Install" button.

  6. Step 6: Switch to a Microsoft account if you aren't using one.

  7. Step 7: Enter your Microsoft account information.

  8. Step 8: Return to your Start screen.

  9. Step 9: Click or tap the Skype tile to start Skype.

  10. Step 10: Sign in with your Skype/Microsoft account.

  11. Step 11: Start a conversation with a contact.

  12. Step 12: Start a voice or video call.

  13. Step 13: Click or tap the "Search" button on the main screen to add more contacts.

  14. Step 14: Change your status.

Detailed Guide

You can access the Start screen by pressing the ⊞ Win key or by clicking the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the Desktop view (Windows
8.1 only).

This will open the Windows store. , The search bar is in the upper-right corner of the Store window. , Make sure that you choose the Skype app, and not one of the related search results. ,, If you set up Windows to use local accounts instead of a Microsoft account, you will be prompted to switch to using a Microsoft account.

If you'd prefer to continue using your local account, select "Sign into each app separately". , This is the account that you use to sign in to Skype.

If you signed up for Skype before it changed to Microsoft accounts, you can use your Skype login information. , You should see the SKype tile appear in your list of applications. , You will be asked if Skype can access your webcam (if one is installed). , You will be taken to the main Skype screen after logging in., Click or tap a contact in the list on the right to begin a conversation.

You can see all of your contacts by clicking the "people" menu., If you have a webcam installed, you can start a voice or video chat with your contacts.

Open a contact's conversation page and click either the phone (voice) or camera (video) to start a chat., This button looks like magnifying glass.

You can search for other Skype users by their usernames or email addresses., Click your profile image in the upper-right corner to change your online status and set your mood.

About the Author

R

Robert Morris

Committed to making organization accessible and understandable for everyone.

61 articles
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