Skype Shuts Down After 22 Years, Microsoft Focuses on Teams

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Summary

  • Microsoft officially ended support for Skype on May 5 after 22 years, now focusing solely on Teams.
  • Skype was acquired by the company in 2011 for $8.5 billion, but it slowly began to lose its popularity.

Microsoft has formally concluded support for Skype following a span of 22 years, opting to concentrate exclusively on Teams in the future. Earlier announcements had indicated that Microsoft would deactivate Skype on May 5th, but this day undeniably stirs feelings of nostalgia among fans who fondly remember using the once-prominent platform, as well as those who continued to use it consistently throughout the years.

Back in 2003, I was thrilled when Skype made its debut. Fast forward to 2011, and Microsoft scooped it up for an impressive $8.5 billion. However, as time went on, Skype seemed to drift away from Microsoft’s core strategy, with the introduction of Microsoft Teams in 2016. This all-in-one platform combined messaging and video calls, gradually overshadowing Skype in Microsoft’s focus. As the years passed, Teams gained prominence while Skype found itself eclipsed by other rising stars in the world of messaging services with video call capabilities, like Discord.

Currently, Skype has ceased operations. The exact number of active users at the time this article was written is unclear, but in 2023, daily usage stood at around 36 million, a significant drop from the 300 million users during its peak popularity. On a positive note, those wishing to transition to Teams using their Skype account can do so effortlessly, as their chat logs and contact lists will transfer automatically. However, it remains unclear if earlier users will be able to migrate their data to other widely used platforms.

Skype Shut Down After 22 Years

reminder: Microsoft is killing off Skype today. It’s being retired in favor of Microsoft Teams www.theverge.com/news/621353/… — Tom Warren (@tomwarren.co.uk) 2025-05-05T06:58:20.101Z

Lucky for me as a gamer, I’ve got numerous alternatives when it comes to video calling my buddies, like Discord and Zoom – both are widely used. Microsoft is also pushing Microsoft Teams, more aimed at business communication, but it shares similar video-calling features with Skype. It might be an excellent choice for those who prefer keeping their contacts list intact.

As Skype seems to be winding down, it’s Discord that’s really shining in the gaming world. Word got out earlier this year that they might go public with an Initial Public Offering (IPO), potentially making its current owners billionaires. This news didn’t sit well with many in the community, as some fear this move could lead to more ways for the platform to make money. Some also speculate that it might mean the end of free updates, as Discord would need to keep growing to satisfy investors. Right now, though, there’s still no set date for their IPO.

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2025-05-05 21:43