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Remarkable features of Skype

Old features in the new Skype

After the new Skype became a public release, users began asking questions: where to find a “usual action” from the old Skype or how to perform it. Since I'm tired of repeating the same thing (well, not everyone likes to read previous comments), I decided to compile a list of features here that are not yet available in the new Skype. Also, I'll try to answer the most popular questions about finding features from the classic Skype in the new Skype and performing them.

List of old features that are not supported in the new Skype

Description of function Do you need
this feature?
Skype Group Policies
No votes
Specify how long to store chat history
No votes
Send your contacts to other Skype users
No votes
Displaying the network status in the system tray
Added in the version 8.15.0.4

No votes
Editing contact information (for example, specifying phone number)
No votes
Customizing sounds for calls, messages and other events
No votes
Option to enable sound notifications in the active chat
No votes
Increase the duration of the video message (at least one minute)
No votes
Create moderated group chats
No votes
Automatically insert the highlighted word when searching
No votes
Customize different audio devices for ringing and talking
No votes
Kick a user from a group call
No votes
Effective search with partial match of words in chats
No votes
Disable link and files previews
Added in the version 8.32.0.53

No votes
Saving received files in automatic mode
No votes
Sending video messages
Added in the version 8.22.0.2

No votes
Compact viewing mode (that is, splitting the interface of Skype into two windows)
No votes
Use of contact lists
No votes
Customize hotkeys (including the ability to send messages using CTRL+Enter)
No votes
Configuring the webcam (for example, specifying the contrast)
No votes
Video snapshots Gallery
No votes
Sending SMS messages
Added in the version 8.15.0.4

No votes
Changing the font settings in the chat
No votes
Starting the call by double clicking on the contact
No votes
Proxy configuration
No votes
Navigation in the chat (for example, jump to the previous month)
No votes
Customize notifications (for example, someone comes online or celebrates his birthday)
No votes
Clearing all history
No votes
Network statuses “Away” and “Offline”
No votes
Hiding avatars of contacts
No votes
Take video snapshots during the video call
Added in the version 8.23.0.10

No votes

Perhaps I forgot to add something, or vice versa, mistakenly added a supported feature in this list. Therefore, I will be happy if you tell me where I made mistakes and how to improve the material. Also, don’t forget to “vote” for your favorite features – it's very interesting to know how critical their absence is for you.

The answers to frequently asked questions are listed below.
~~~

How to request a feature in the new Skype?

Unfortunately, developers can not read the thoughts of users and for this reason, the necessary features are not implemented for a long time. It is known that the more users are informed about a certain feature, the faster it will be added to Skype. Therefore, I recommend always telling them about the functions that you need, as follows:
  1. Open Skype and click on your avatar in the upper left corner.
  2. Scroll down, click on "Help and Feedback", and then on "Send Feedback".
  3. Now a window appears where you can write what you are missing in the new Skype.
Send feedback to the Skype developers
I recommend always detailing what you need and why it is important to you. Also, I think it would be better if you send one feature at a time.




How to change the font size

To increase the font size, press the key combination: Ctrl+Shift+= (in fact, this is Ctrl++). To reduce the size, use: Ctrl+-. Note that the font size changes for the entire interface, and not just for chat messages, as it was done in the classic Skype. Learn more about Skype shortcuts in the new version.


How to open settings in the new Skype?

Click on your avatar (I recommend this method, because using it you can find all available settings, including language, themes, subscriptions, calls, account, etc.):
Open settings in the new Skype by clicking on the avatar

Use the Ctrl+, hotkey or click on the menu symbol, that is, the icon consisting of three points (this variant offers fewer options, but faster access to the basic settings):
Open the settings in the new Skype by clicking on the menu symbol


How to search for messages in the current chat?

In the new Skype developers significantly changed the search feature, and some users thought that they lost the ability to search for messages in the current chat, as it was in the good old days. In fact, the feature has remained, although hotkey was changed to Ctrl+Shift+S.

Also you can search for messages in this way:
  1. While you are in the right chat, press the key combination Ctrl+F
  2. In the sidebar on the left, click on the “Messages” tab
  3. Enter your search query
  4. When the search results appear, click “Current”
  5. Click on the message found in order to go to the chat
Search for messages in the current chat
It should be noted that it is not necessary to go to the “Messages” tab – you can immediately enter a search query. In this case, Skype will search for your request among all contacts, messages and group chats. This is convenient if it is a rare term or you have few messages and contacts.


How to share your screen?

After the interlocutor answered the call (this is very important), click on the plus sign and select “Share screen”.
Screen sharing in the new Skype


How to install the new Skype on Windows 10?

When a user tries to install a new Skype on Windows 10, the system redirects him to the Microsoft Store in order to install Skype for UWP. To prevent this and install the new Skype on Windows 10 in spite of restrictions, you need to use a small trick to “cheat” the installer, as if we have another OS:
  1. Download Skype for Windows
  2. Right-click on the Skype installer
  3. Select “Properties”
  4. Go to the “Compatibility” tab
  5. Check the option “Run the program in compatibility mode”
  6. Select the option “Windows 8” and click “OK”
  7. Start the Skype installer and follow the installation instructions.
Some users say that this method does not work for all versions. Therefore I want to note that the instruction exactly works for version 8.13.0.3. If something does not work out, as another option, create a portable Skype for Windows using the installer for a new Skype.


How to enable automatic login?

Open “Application Settings” (for example, by pressing Ctrl+,), scroll down to “Start-up and close” and enable the option “Automatically start Skype”.

How to enable the translator in the new Skype?

  1. Right-click on the desired contact and select “View Profile”.
  2. Click on the option “Start translator”
  3. As a result, a group chat will be created, in which messages and calls will be automatically translated.

That's all! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments.

40 comments

  1. 1 -1 2
    Steve Morton (karma: +2),
    Is there a way to restore the facility to pause iTunes playing music when an incoming call happens in Skype which used to work in earlier versions of Skype for Mac.
  2. 0 -1 1
    Bart (karma: -1),
    Other essential feature not supported is open two skype proccess to open two diferente account. For example a personal account and professional account.
    1. 1 +1 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Please read carefully — this feature is supported in the new Skype.
  3. 2 +2 0
    Rick (karma: +179),
    Everyone, see this survey from MS. It's not just about the missing split window view, since the last question is open-ended:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/forum/skype_insiderms-skype_insnewsms/did-you-love-using-split-windows-in-skype-wed-like/8e6ac37f-92a5-400b-9d2a-4c14a565b071
  4. 4 +4 0
    Mota (karma: +4),
    You can also install Skype 8.x.x.x on Windows 10 through elevated CMD by appending /silent so it's gonna be something like:

    E:\Downloads\Programs>skype_8.17.0.2.exe /silent
  5. 2 +2 0
    Kae (karma: +2),
    Please add the ability to disable or shrink down the yellow emoticons back to the old skype standard. I dislike the size of the 'smaller' yellow emoticons and want to either shrink them back to tiny or disable them.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Please note that this is an unofficial blog.
  6. 0 0 0
    Vinh Nguyen (karma: +3),
    I am using Skype version 8.25.0.5, how can I send contacts to others? please help.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hello! This feature is not yet implemented in the new Skype.
  7. 2 +2 0
    Peg (karma: +5),
    Please bring back "Customizing sounds for calls, messages and other events". Adding sounds when a friend comes online is very important.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      I recommend you to send feedback to developers and ask them to implement this feature in the new Skype.
    2. 1 +1 0
      Jeevesey (karma: +4),
      I too am finding it very difficult with being able to 'Customize' sounds for calls and messages. I have to keep on checking Skype Icon to see if anyone is calling me.
  8. 0 0 0
    mike (karma: 0),
    i updated my skype to 8.25 version,but i could not find out how to remove a contact.I right clicked on contact to remove and it just asked if i wanted to move to favourites.why do you make skype worse and complicated
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      To delete a contact: from the contact list, right click on the desired contact, chose “View profile”, scroll down to the “Profile” label, and click “Delete contact”.
  9. 2 +2 0
    Nick (karma: +9),
    One more thing that is missing in v8: you can't drop people from calls, e.g. if they forgot to mute their mic and produce unwanted sounds or went AFK and conference call is already ended.
    Previously any member of the call could click the red "hang call" button under user's avatar. Sorry, I don't have a screenshot, but you can try it yourself.

    [Updated ]
    Another missing feature in v8: you can't copy and paste several quoted messages in your reply box to send them all at once. Each quote should be sent separately. It's bad because sometimes you want to show a chain of questions/answers with links to who posted them and when.
    1. 1 +1 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hello! Thanks. I added the first one to the features list.

      As for the second one, not the same, but try this: press Ctrl+Shift+L, choose desired messages, click "Copy", then paste them to your input box.
      1. 0 0 0
        Nick (karma: +9),
        Thanks a lot, this list is awesome. I'm sharing it with all my friends and colleagues so they can prepare themselves to the 1st of September better :'(
        1. 1 +1 0
          Administrator (karma: +1207),
          You're always welcome. If you have questions, feel free to ask me. By the way, I think this may be useful for you: Skype shortcuts in the new version.
  10. 0 0 0
    Rick (karma: +179),
    Did you mean to have Ctrl-Shift-F in the above section on Search? That's "Send a file in the current chat," as shown on your Skype shortcuts page.

    I'm trying to figure out how search in the current chat. Ctrl-F isn't it. Ctrl-Shift-F isn't it. Your shortcuts page mentions Ctrl-Shift-S, but that doesn't seem to do anything--except from the main screen, and all it's doing is clicking into the Search Skype field for you (so no idea why anyone would use Ctrl-Shift-S).

    I also no longer see the All/Current area you're showing (maybe that's a quite older version than 8.25).

    I don't even see how there can be a "current" chat, since you apparently have to LEAVE chat just to search. I must be missing something though, since the program still says "Search for messages in your current chat or in all chats."

    And finally, does search even work for messages from before about 6 months ago? I have history going back a year visible in the program, but searches seem to stop at around February.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Yes, they changed some shortcuts in Skype 8.25.0.5. So, for the latest shortcuts, please always check the Skype shortcuts in the new version page.

      I tested Skype 8.25.0.5 on Windows and Ctrl+Shift+S and Ctrl+F works as I wrote in my instructions. When you click on a contact/chat from the left sidebar, it becomes active. Even if you open the search bar, the active chat will remain open.

      Yep, it looks like it is searching for messages for up to 6 months.
      1. 2 +2 0
        Rick (karma: +179),
        I figured it out: you have to have the program wide enough so that you always see the contacts. I never do, because I never did in the old version. When you don't, Ctrl-Shift-S does nothing. So that's rather inconvenient to say the least. I guess temporarily making the program full screen would be the easiest way to search (easier than constantly resizing it).

        A bigger problem though is the 6-month thing. That's unbelievable.

        Another aspect of this as relates to history, is that a Skype rep told me that they store 2 years in the cloud now, and are considering increasing that. Let's say that they leave it at 2. OK, you've been using the program consistently, and it's now 2023 or something. In that year, if you scroll back in Skype, does your history stop at 2 years, because that's all that's stored in the cloud? Or is it sophisticated enough to continue to also store it locally? There still is a main.db etc., so I would HOPE you have infinite local history, but there are no longer any "Keep all history" type settings, so I have to wonder. For all we know, MS could "sync" history older than 2 years right out of existence.
  11. 3 +3 0
    G.T. (karma: +3),
    Other things I think should be on your list are the following:

    - Unable to automatically set "Do not disturb" (or "Away" in old skype) after a period of inactivity. (Old Skype could automatically set your status to "Away" after X minutes of inactivity, and it would automatically set it back to "Available" when you did something on your computer again.

    - Can't disable "Advanced text formatting". This was an option in old Skype so that you can type "*something*" without it automatically being converted to bold text. You can circumvent this by typing "@@ *something*", but a permanent solution, like in the old version, would be very helpful.
  12. 1 +1 0
    Rick (karma: +179),
    For anyone reading this, vote and add to it, as you see fit:
    https://skype.uservoice.com
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Thank you! I will try to change my voting to show a notice about the Skype's UserVoice.
  13. 0 0 0
    Bundyal (karma: +7),
    Hello i have a question how i can install Skype-8.28.0.41 silent.
    I have this in a script,
    /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-
    but if skype is finished installing,
    I get a popup with this,
    New functions
    New appearance
    Totally Skype
    Join!

    can I have skype shut down, or how can I not have this message start when skype has finished installing?
    Skype is not silent now.
    Who can help me.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hello! As far I remember, you cannot change «postinstall» actions via cli parameters. Therefore, I think this is impossible.

      On other hand you can create your own portable Skype. Next, if desired, you can create a SFX using extracted files.
      1. 0 0 0
        Bundyal (karma: +7),
        Thank you very much for your reply.
        i have now a portable version and i have made a silent setup.exe without the popup.
        I know now what to do, to make it silent.
        Greatz
      2. 0 0 0
        Sausua (karma: +7),
        Dear Administrator,

        On Skype 8.28.0.41 for Win 10 / my laptop
        - I want to print the calls history
        - I want to delete the messages history of a nick permanently
        - Skype tell me, I need to update Skype 8.30.0.50.... I worry about I lost my data

        I don't know how I do, Please help me !....
        Thank you soooo much

        Best Regards

        [Updated ]
        THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, i LEARN HERE THIS blog www.skaip.org A LOT OF THINGS :)
  14. 0 0 0
    walter (karma: 0),
    Classic skype now almost blocks my computer including mouse indicator probably because it continuously tries to update even if I always push "NO" on updating.
    Is there a way to stop this updating behavior?
  15. 0 -1 1
    Rick (karma: +179),
    Sigh:
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/forum/skype_featurems/more-info-on-the-update-to-skype-version-8/9cbb5e0d-9305-44f1-8c2a-1e73a7646ef0
  16. 0 0 0
    Mark (karma: +3),
    In the table above "List of old features that are not supported in the new Skype", what is the meaning of an entry in the column "Do you need this feature?" not having a clickable (and green) "Yes"?

    For example, I cannot vote "yes" for "Editing contact information (for example, specifying phone number)", since the "Yes" button is not clickable and green.

    Sorry if I missed it, but I do not see any explanation for this.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hello Mark! If you do not see the "green button", it means that you already voted for it. I apologize for this misunderstanding.
  17. 1 +1 0
    Sorrel (karma: +1),
    "Disable link and files previews" - this looks available.

    Settings > Messaging

    Can toggle off:
    Web link previews
    Auto-download photos
    Auto-download files.

    Screenshot - nrzw9ir-png.jpg

    Skype 8.39.0.175
    Mac OSX 10.11.6 (El Capitan)
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Thank you! I updated the info.
  18. 0 0 0
    Mamoon Iqbal (karma: 0),
    How to change ringtone in skype 8.31 version ??
    PLZ help me..
  19. 0 0 0
    Claudio (karma: 0),
    Greetings to all skype users,

    I hereby request your assistanance in helping me or informing if there is any program that can display the song I am playing at the moment in skype through my windows media player (Windows 10). They removed this option...

    Thank you,
    Best regards,
    Cláudio
  20. 1 +1 0
    Rick (karma: +179),
    I think we can now cross these off the list:

    -Saving received files in automatic mode - Settings/Messaging
    -Hiding avatars of contacts - Settings/Appearance
    -Increase the duration of the video message (at least one minute) - It's 3 now
    -Configuring the webcam (for example, specifying the contrast) - Settings/Audio-Video, uncheck automatically adjust
    -Send your contacts to other Skype users - "Send contacts to this chat" in the typing area
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Thank you very much! I'll update it soon.
  21. 0 0 0
    ken (karma: +3),
    I was able to hyperlink phone numbers in excel that would dial the number through Skype. Please tell me this feature is still possible. depending on the formula I use it will either open up Microsoft Explorer or google chrome. I would really love to have that auto dial feature again.
  22. 0 0 0
    Gloria (karma: 0),
    Hello, hope you are doing great and if i may ask to know why is it that old Skype was upgrade to new version without some features...Features like searching for someone with his/her age...Now there is now place to search someone with ages like the old Skype was meant to be please....Secondly you cannot search someone with his/her locations as well,why is that really happen? Thanks and hope to here from you soon too....

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