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Remarkable features of Skype

Skype chat commands

Most of users of the Skype program use only the basic functions and enjoy them, not knowing that this program, though free, supports much more interesting and useful features. It is for this reason that I have written this article — that all our readers knew about the commands in the Skype chat and could take advantage of them. I hope that with time I will be able to tell you about all the secrets and hidden features of this program, but for now, I offer you a description of all the commands available in the Skype chat.

To learn how to execute commands, and what they intended for, before studying the list of Skype chat commands, see the answers to frequently asked questions. And if you still have questions or need help, do not hesitate to ask in comments.

The list of Skype chat commands

It is necessary to note that the following is a list of all commands that are available in the chat, but some of them are not supported in all versions of Skype. In the table below in the column “Command” the name of the command is marked in green, and arguments — in grey.

Command Description
/add username(s)
Adds specified Skype users to the chat (you can add a number of users, if you separate them by a space).

Examples:
/add echo123
/add alice bob carlos

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/alertsoff
Disables notifications of new messages that have been set, using the command /alertson.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/alertson text
Displays notifications of new messages, if someone from the chat users writes a message containing the word “text”.

Examples:
/alertson Skype

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/clearpassword
Cancels the password which protects the chat via /set password, and removes the tip, mounted via /set password_hint.

Chat type:
P2P
/createmoderatedchat
Creates a new group chat, which supports the traditional functions of moderation. Is analogous to two commands:
/newchat + /set options +MODERATED

Chat type:
cloud
/dbghelp
Displays the commands available for debugging Skype.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/dumpmsnp
Displays information about MSNP protocol.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/find text
Searches for the first mention of “text” in the chat.

Examples:
/find Skype

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/fork username(s)
Creates an exact copy of the current chat, keeping those participants who are in the user's contact list. If pass username as an argument he will be excluded from the list.

Chat type:
P2P
/get admins
Shows a list of the chat administrators.

Chat type:
cloud
/get allowlist
Shows information about users who have access to the chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get banlist
Displays banned users, deprived of access to the chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get creator
Shows the login of the creator of the chat. On cloud chats says that “This chat type does not have a creator” and returns the list of admins

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get description
Displays the description of the chat defined using /set description.

Chat type:
P2P
/get guidelines
Shows the chat rules, specified with /set guidelines.

Chat type:
P2P
/get helpers
Displays a list of helpers.

Chat type:
P2P
/get listeners
Displays a list of listeners.

Chat type:
P2P
/get masters
Displays a list of masters.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get name
Returns the name of the chat. With the help of this command you can determine, what type of chat is used. Thus, if as a result of command the name of the chat contains name=19:***@thread.skype, it is the cloud chat. If name=#username$*** means that is a P2P-chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get options
Displays chat parameters (see the command /set options).

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get password_hint
Shows password prompt when logging into the chat, which have been installed with the command /set password_hint.

Chat type:
P2P
/get role
Displays the role of the current user in the chat (see /setrole).

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get uri
Creates a unique URL that allows inviting new users to join the Skype chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/get users
Shows a list of participants with the role of the each user.

Chat type:
P2P
/golive
Starts a group call involving all the users of the chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/help
Displays a list of some of the available Skype chat commands.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/history
Loads the entire history of correspondence in the active chat window.
/info
Shows the number of chat participants and the current member limit.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/kick username
Excludes the specified user from the chat (but at any time he can join again).

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/kickban username
Eliminates the specified user from the chat and deprives him of the right to return back.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/leave
To leave the group chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/me text
Displays the current user name and the specified “text”.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/msnp24
Activates MSNP24 protocol.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/newchat
Creates a new group chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/nobday
Disables notifications of chat participants’ birthdays.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/remotelogout
To end the user’s session from all devices, except the current one.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/resynccontacts
Synchronizes the list of contacts.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/set allowlist username(s)
If you add a “+” in front of username, this command indicates which users have the right to join the chat. The sign “-” in front of username removes it from the trusted list. To display the list of trusted members, use /get allowlist.

Examples:
/set allowlist +echo123
/set allowlist -echo123

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/set banlist username(s)
If you add a “+” in front of username, it forbids the user to take part in the chat. The sign “-” in front of username removes the ban and re-allows him to join the chat. To show the list of banned users, use /get banlist.

Examples:
/set banlist +echo123
/set banlist -echo123

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/set description text
Defines chat description that can be displayed with the command /get description.

Examples:
/set description Chat is designed for Skype users who need help or want to help others.

Chat type:
P2P
/set guidelines text
Sets the chat rules, which can be shown with the command /get guidelines.

Examples:
/set guidelines 1. Be polite
2. Spam is prohibited


Chat type:
P2P
/set listeners username(s)
Sets the role of listener for the specified users. You can specify one or more users, separating them by a space. Thus, instead of three commands:
/setrole alice LISTENER
/setrole bob LISTENER
/setrole carlos LISTENER

we can use only this one:
/set listeners alice bob carlos

Chat type:
P2P
/set options parameter
Changes the chat options. To enable a chat option, you need to add “+” in front of the parameter name, and to disable, add “-”. Use the command /get options, if you want to see the current settings of the chat.

Examples:
/set options -JOINING_ENABLED
/set options +HISTORY_DISCLOSED

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/set password password
Sets the password for the chat, and only users who know the password can join. Please note that the password cannot contain spaces.

Chat type:
P2P
/set password_hint hint
Creates a hint to the password that you have set for chat.

Chat type:
P2P
/setpassword password hint
Is analogous to two commands: /set password + /set password_hint. Thus, instead of two commands:
/set password_hint In what year was developed Skype?
/set password 2003

Just execute:
/setpassword 2003 In what year was developed Skype?

Chat type:
P2P
/setpicture
Remove the avatar of the group chat.

Chat type:
cloud
/setrole username role
Sets a new role for the specified user. The list of available roles can be found in this table. For example, to prevent the user echo123 from writing messages, set the role of observer for him:

Examples:
/setrole echo123 LISTENER

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/setupkey key value
If you specify only a variable, the command displays the current settings. But if you specify the variable and its value, the settings will be saved forever (variables list). To delete a variable, add the character “!” after the command name. By the way, many changes will take effect only after you restart Skype.

Examples:
/setupkey *Lib/Connection/LastIP
/setupkey *Lib/Conversation/EnableWiki 0
/setupkey! /*Lib/FileTransfer/Disable

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/showactivemembers
Displays a list of participants who are online.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/showmembers
Displays a list of all participants and the role of each of them.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/showname
Alias of the command /get name.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/showplaces
Shows a list of all devices which at the moment are using your current account.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/showstatus
Displays information about the chat (date of the last message, date of the creation of the chat, number of messages, some identifiers).

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/topic header
Changes the topic of the chat. If you are the creator of the chat and want to prevent users from changing the topic, run the command:
/set options +TOPIC_AND_PIC_LOCKED_FOR_USERS

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/undoedit
Cancels the latest edit of your message.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/verify
Shows the “missed” messages.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/whois username
Displays information about a participant of the chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
/wikimarkup on|off
Enables (on) or disables (off) the formatting of text in the chat.

Examples:
/wikimarkup on
/wikimarkup off

Chat type:
P2P, cloud


Skype chat settings

You can enable or disable chat options, using the command /set options. To show all the current settings, use the command /get options

Parameter Description
ADDING_LOCKED_FOR_USERS Prevents regular users from adding new participants.

Chat type:
P2P
HISTORY_DISCLOSED New members can see the messages that had appeared in the chat before they joined. There is a limit either on the number of displayed messages (maximum – 400) or on the duration of the period during which the displayed messages were published (two weeks), depending on what kind of limitation will be reached sooner.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
JOINERS_BECOME_APPLICANTS New users can join the chat, but they cannot write or receive messages, until they get permission from the user, who has the role of CREATOR or MASTER.

Chat type:
P2P
JOINERS_BECOME_LISTENERS New members see other users’ messages, but they cannot write their own ones, until they obtain the role of USER.

Chat type:
P2P
JOINING_ENABLED New users can join the chat.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
MODERATED Enables the mode of “moderator”. In this mode, users cannot change the avatar or the name of the conference.

Chat type:
cloud
TOPIC_AND_PIC_LOCKED_FOR_USERS Only a user with the role of CREATOR has the right to change the subject or the chat logo.

Chat type:
P2P
USERS_ARE_LISTENERS All participants with the role of USER will receive messages from other users, but cannot write new messages.

Chat type:
P2P


The roles of the Skype chat participants

Creator and Master can change the roles of the chat participants with the command /setrole. In his turn, each user, using the command /get role, can find out, what is his role.

Role Name Description
ADMIN Administrator The administrator of the chat (he can assign the role of ADMIN to other participants).

Chat type:
cloud
APPLICANT Applicant A user who expects the permission to participate in the chat (doesn’t see and cannot write messages).

Chat type:
P2P
CREATOR Creator The user who created the chat, and only he can have this role. Only the creator has the right to set any chat options or change any roles of other users.

Chat type:
P2P
HELPER Helper A user with only a few additional privileges, who has no right to change the roles of other users. He isn’t affected by the value of the parameter USERS_ARE_LISTENERS.

Chat type:
P2P
LISTENER Listener A user who sees the messages, but cannot write new ones.

Chat type:
P2P
MASTER Master An authorized user with the ability to customize the chat. However, the master cannot assign the role of MASTER to other users or remove it.

Chat type:
P2P, cloud
SPEAKER Speaker A regular user of the chat (can write messages and participate in calls).

Chat type:
cloud
USER User A common chat participant who can read and write messages.

Chat type:
P2P


Application Variables

The list of variables with which the command /setupkey can be used. Please note, this command changes the settings of Skype, not only of a particular chat. Given that in this way you can “break” Skype, it should be noted that you must perform these commands at your own risk.

Key Description
/*Lib/CentralStorage/SyncAvatar
Theoretically, must update the avatar across devices.
/*Lib/Connection/LastIP
Shows the last used IP.
/*Lib/Conversation/EnableWiki 0|1
Disable '0' or enable '1' text formatting.

Examples:
/setupkey *Lib/Conversation/EnableWiki 0
/*Lib/FileTransfer/Disable 0|1
Disable '1' or enable '0' file sending function.

Examples:
/setupkey *Lib/FileTransfer/Disable 1

~~~

What are “Skype chat commands”?

Skype chat command is a special text message that begins with a slash (/), and when you submit it in the Skype chat window, it performs a specific function or command. For example, using the commands in the chat Skype, the user can configure the group chat so that only users, who know the answer to his question, could join the chat.


How to execute a command in the Skype chat?

In principle, the execution of commands is the same as sending messages or emoticons — simply enter the command in the chat window and press Enter. The only thing you need to pay attention is the fact that the command mustn’t have any symbols in front of it (including spaces and line breaks).

Also, it is worth reminding that some commands are not available in older versions of Skype. In such cases, the only thing to do is to download the new version of Skype.


Why my command is not executed?

A command may not be performed for the following reasons:

  • You have no right to execute this command;
  • An unnecessary symbol (for example, a space) is added in front of the command;
  • Your version of Skype doesn’t support this command;
  • You have made a mistake when typing the command;
  • Current type of chat doesn’t support this command;

What is a “type of chat”?

With the upgrade of Skype from P2P architecture to the cloud-based system, on the one hand, some new functions and features have appeared, and on the other hand, some old ones have stopped working. These changes have affected the Skype chat, which currently can be “new cloud” and “old peer” (P2P). Due to technical reasons, in the cloud chat some commands of the P2P chat are not supported (and vice versa). Therefore, for every command it has been indicated for each command, what type of chat is supported.


How to find out, what “type of chat” is used?

You can find out the type of chat with the command /get name (it is written in the command description).


How to create a P2P-chat?

Since May 22, 2016 on Skype is not possible to create P2P-chats. Nevertheless, cloud chat now also support moderating functions.

The only drawback of the cloud chat is the fact that it doesn’t support the traditional functions of moderation, to which many people are accustomed. To create a P2P-chat, perform the function /createmoderatedchat, with the result that an “Empty Group” will be created, where you’ll be able to invite new members and use the old commands. It should be noted that some versions of Skype don’t support this feature, and others don’t show the created chat (to see it, you need to switch on to the tab “Last”).


26 comments

  1. 3 +3 0
    edwado (karma: +8),
    plop, nice article
    if someone is interested, I made a list of variables that can be used with /setupkey (without describing their use, it would take too long to do), I think that can be useful for some purpose : https://pastebin.com/3EvZMXgX
    1. 1 +1 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hey, glad that you found it useful! And thank you for provided information. Anyway, there should be noted that not all variables are valid, and more importantly, some of them may break down your Skype. So, be aware.
  2. 0 0 0
    ohmygad (karma: 0),
    Ooooooh my godness where did you find it x'D
    Very nice my friends ;)

    Excellent *****
  3. 0 0 0
    Buffalo332 (karma: +6),
    Hello .. sorry . I am french and I am looking to add some administrators in my group. .because I used it once a week in this group with a lot of people who wants to learn French language. .But sometimes I have problem with increasily numbers of participates and you know I have to avoid to be more than 24 persons .. otherwise it's not run ! Can you tell me what is the way to add one or more administrator on it ? Thanks in Advance . Jea-marie from Bordeaux .. france..
  4. 1 +1 0
    Eva (karma: +2),
    for some reason I can only use the following commands:

    Available commands: /add [skypename] /giphy [expression] - sends random GIF for given expression (optional) /alerts off | on [keywords] /alertsoff /alertson [keywords] /help /me [message] - sends special message prepended by your name

    That's all ... I'd like to use more... how do I go about getting access to the others? If you could e-mail me the answer I'd be hugely grateful. Thanks!
    Kisses!
    -Eva
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hello! It seems you use Skype for Web that don’t support all commands. Please note that the chat commands listed in this article were tested only in Skype for Windows.
      1. 0 0 0
        Eva (karma: +2),
        I thought that might have been the case, so I downloaded Skype for windows and attempted to use the commands, but it still didn't work... any ideas?
        1. 0 0 0
          Administrator (karma: +1207),
          Please note that P2P commands won’t work on cloud chats. So, please let me know which version of Skype do you use and specify some commands that do not work for you.
  5. 0 0 0
    Storm (karma: 0),
    Hello. I'm using Skype version 7.31. What commands from those I can use? For example, i can't use the /clear command.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hi! Unfortunately, some Skype commands are no longer supported and I need some free time to test all commands in order to find which are supported. However, you can test yourself — unsupported commands aren’t executed and just return the list of some available commands.
  6. 0 0 0
    Jason Murphy (karma: 0),
    Woohooo I have neither seen such commands, nor I ever got a chance to use'em. Pretty cool Skype
  7. 0 0 0
    Temur (karma: 0),
    Hello i dont have a lot of your codes yes thank you firstly but i have other codes in it i have codes for my bi my friend i have codes i know the voice is increasing only oo not skype i used to be a biker yes i want to know these codes i have these chances to give me these codes
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hi! Please note that in the latest versions of Skype will work only commands for which chat type «cloud» is specified.
  8. 0 0 0
    Aslam Pathan (karma: +7),
    I Have created a chat group and join the members. After few days I have left the chat group and currently there is no admin in the group anyone can add members but there is no option to remove members from the group. Please help me how to add admin in the group and how to remove some members from the chat group?
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Hi! Sorry for being late, but I did not know the answer to your question. However, after some tests I found a solution and published it here: How to restore the administrator role in Skype chat.

      Please let me know if you were able to restore the administrator role of your chat.
      1. 0 0 0
        Aslam Pathan (karma: +7),
        Thank you for your reply. It's working...
  9. 1 +1 0
    zelles (karma: +53),
    Here are some commands that are not listed here:

    /showchatforms
    /showpendingmessages
    /htmlhistory
    /clear
    /fm
    /showaccsel
    /showaccfocus
    /accselect


    [Updated ]
    Oh yeah... These 2 also:

    /get blob
    /invite [skypename]
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      Thanks for the hints (especially for the last two commands, because I did not know about them). Unfortunately, most commands (including from this article) no longer work. Also I did not understand how works the /invite command (I thought that it should be an alias for the /add command). If it’s not difficult for you, can you please tell us more about these commands and what is your version of Skype?
      1. 0 0 0
        zelles (karma: +53),
        /get blob is used to for the blob, raw data object, used by javascript. For more on blobs see this:
        https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Blob

        As for /invite, I believe it is used to invite[add] a user to be in their contacts. This one I am not sure about.

        The Skype I use is the latest desktop version available, 7.40.0.104; 104 is 151 for Windows 10 users. Not the redesigned app version, but the actual desktop software version.
        1. 0 0 0
          Administrator (karma: +1207),
          I could be wrong, but in this case "blob" is just an identifier, and for sure doesn't deal with "JavaScript Blob".
          1. 0 0 0
            zelles (karma: +53),
            You are correct that it returns an identifier. But, I believe it is an identifier to the data blob being used internally by Javascript.
  10. 0 0 0
    biscuit (karma: +3),
    Does anyone know if newer skype versions can join P2P skype chats? Would it be possible to downgrade skype and start a P2P chat to get the P2P commands? I know that skype did end up retiring a lot of the older versions so I'm not sure if it is possible.
    1. 0 0 0
      Administrator (karma: +1207),
      As far as I know, you can no longer create P2P chats. By the way, there are no more P2P chats, because old chats were automatically converted to cloud ones.
  11. 0 0 0
    Rick (karma: +179),
    The two most important commands are either in serious need of repair or murdered, it's hard to tell which is the case:
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/forum/skype_windesk-skype_messms-skype_instamessms/is-showplaces-currently-working/e023da95-e9c6-472f-b2ba-a2f7e36ea05f
  12. 1 +1 0
    tyy (karma: +3),
    commands no longer work
  13. 0 0 0
    Iris Johnson (karma: 0),
    I am trying to close this Skype account since last month.Please close this account and stop taking money out of my account. I do not use the Skype.

    Thank you Iris

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