Microsoft to Discontinue Skype Companies
Microsoft has introduced that it’s shutting down service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling companies on Could 5, 2025.
The service, which was acquired 14 years in the past for $8.5 billion, is being retired in favor of Microsoft Groups — which the corporate stated already contains most of Skype’s options. “With Groups, customers have entry to lots of the identical core options they use in Skype, corresponding to one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing,” stated Jeff Teper, president for Microsoft’s Collaborative Apps and Platforms division, in a blog post. “Moreover, Groups gives enhanced options like internet hosting conferences, managing calendars, and constructing and becoming a member of communities free of charge.”
Paid Skype options, together with Skype Credit score and cellphone name subscriptions, will no longer be accessible. Present subscribers can proceed utilizing their current Skype Credit score and subscriptions till the tip of their subsequent renewal interval, the corporate confirmed. Customers with remaining Skype Credit score will nonetheless be capable to use their stability till the service formally shuts down.
Microsoft stated these who haven’t made the soar from Skype to Groups can accomplish that by logging into the newer service with their Skype credentials. Conversations and contacts will mechanically switch. Earlier than Skype formally shuts down, Groups customers shall be in a position to talk with these nonetheless on Skype, and vice versa.
For these that don’t want to migrate to Groups, Microsoft is providing the flexibility to export their contact and chat knowledge earlier than the service is halted in early Could.
Skype for Enterprise On-line, which grew to become redundant with the introduction of Microsoft Groups, shut down in 2021. Microsoft’s earlier two on-premises variations, Skype for Enterprise Server 2016 and Skype for Enterprise Server 2019, will lose support this October. They are going to be changed by Skype for Business Server SE, though Microsoft recommends that enterprise customers additionally make the soar to Groups.
