Microsoft has integrated Skype into Windows 10 and broken it up into three separate apps, Skype Video, Messaging and Phone.

We look at the process involved in setting up Skype on your Windows 10 device, as well as how to use Skype Video and Messaging.

How to set up Skype in Windows 10

The setup process for Skype in Windows 10 does not require much work from your side. The first time you open either Skype Video, Messaging or Phone, your Microsoft account email address will be there.

For those of you that already have a Skype account, you can connect it to your Microsoft account.

Once combined, Windows 10 will take you through the setup process. Microsoft will prompt whether you want to scan your address book for existing Skype contacts or whether you want to add a phone number. You can do both these now or skip them. You will then go through to the Skype app and can call, message or have a video chat with your friends and family.

Adjust your privacy settings

To ensure Skype is not keeping track of your call history, contact list and the messages that you send, make sure you check your privacy settings.

Open Settings menu > Privacy > turn off Messaging + Skype access in each section, including Location, Camera, Microphone, Call History, Contacts, Background apps and Messaging.

Not a fan of Skype?

If you aren’t a Skype fan or would rather continue to use the original desktop version then you can sign out of the new integrated Skype.

Open Skype Video > click Menu icon (three dots) > Account > click Sign out.

How to use the Skype Video app

Adding your contacts

If you skipped over the step of adding your contacts during the setup process above, you can always go back to this stage and set up up your contacts. Open Skype Video > click the Menu icon > Setup.  

In the upper left-hand corner of the Skype Video app you will find a button for Suggested contacts, which is everyone in your address book who is on Skype, but not in your Skype contacts list. The Add contacts button allows you to search Skype using the person’s full name, Skype username or email address. While the Phonebook button provides you with a searchable list of all your contacts in a separate window that you can search alphabetically.

Choose how Skype adds contacts, sends notifications

In the Skype Video app > click the Menu icon > Settings. The default setting for adding contacts to Skype is that any contact from your address book will automatically be loaded to your Skype contacts list. You can switch this off, but then you will manually have to go find contacts under Suggested contacts if you want to chat to them on Skype via video, phone or messaging.  

Under Settings you can also turn Skype notifications on or off, so that you are alerted for any incoming calls or instant messages.

Making a video call

Open Phonebook > click the contact name of the person you want to contact and a simple profile will open. Click either video call or phone call and Skype will launch your chosen call.

Alternatively, if you have chatted to the person before then you can find them in your video call history. Simply click their name from this list and your call will begin.

How to use the  Messaging app

Skype Messaging, or simply called Messaging in Windows 10, is a completely separate app to Skype Video and Phone. If you need to send someone a text-based message while chatting to them on a video call, a separate window will open rather than displaying in the sidebar of your video call.  

Sending a message to one of your Skype contacts

Open the Messaging app > click New message > type the contact’s name > type your message > click the send icon. If you want to send a message to a group of contacts, simply add multiple contacts to the To line.

Tip: You can only send text-based messages to Skype contacts. In the Messaging app > click the Menu button > Add friends on Skype. The Skype Video app will open where you can view Suggested contacts, or click Add contacts to search for someone using their name, Skype username or email address.

How to delete and forward messages

Right click the conversation thread that you want to delete > click Delete. There is also an option to Mute the thread.

To delete certain messages within the thread, open the Messaging app > click the conversation thread > in the lower right-hand corner of the conversation, click the Menu button > click Select messages > click the messages that you want deleted from the thread and click Delete.

To forward certain messages to a contact, select the messages you want to send > click the + (Forward) button > type in the contact’s name > click send.

Image credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay