Microsoft hangs up on Skype 7

Microsoft will end support for the PC edition of Skype 7 - known as the ‘classic’ version - on 1 November, with phone and tablet support ending two weeks later.

It said people will be able to use the version for “a little while” afterwards, but urged them to update to Skype 8 as soon as possible “to avoid any interruption”. You can do this from www.snipca.com/29290 (see screenshot).

Microsoft had initially planned to end support on 1 September, hoping users would be happy upgrading to Skype 8. But it was forced to extend support after a backlash from users about Skype 8’s messy interface and unwanted features, such as decorating photos with digital ‘stickers’.

In a blog post in August ( www.snipca.com/29289), Microsoft said it would be extending support for “some time”, which many users took to mean into 2019. While users will be disappointed by Microsoft’s decision to axe support sooner, a recent update to Skype 8 removed many of the features they found irritating.

Skype 8 also contains many tools often requested by people, including the option to record video chats, and easier searching for files, links and photos in conversations.

On the Skype forum ( www. snipca.com/29291), Microsoft listed other new tools it’s working on. It said it will email people using old versions of Skype about the next update.