How to Install and Set Up Skype on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Introduction

Skype is a popular communication tool that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files. It is widely used for personal and business communications. This guide will introduce you to the process of installing and setting up Skype on different operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Installing and setting up Skype on Windows

Step 1: Download Skype

First, you need to download the Skype installer for Windows. To do this, open your favorite web browser and visit the official Skype website. Look for the "Downloads" section on the website. You will see an option to download Skype for Windows. Click the "Download" button to begin downloading the installer.

Step 2: Run the installer

Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file in your "Downloads" folder or whatever folder you saved it to. The file is usually named "SkypeSetup.exe." Double-click this file to run the installer.

Step 3: Install Skype

Upon running the installer, a window will pop up to guide you through the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions. You may be asked to select your preferred language and agree to the terms and conditions. After making the necessary selections, proceed to install Skype by clicking the "Install" button. The installation will take a few minutes. Once completed, Skype will be installed on your system.

Step 4: Set up Skype

After installation, Skype will launch automatically. If it doesn't, you can start Skype manually by going to the Start menu and searching for "Skype." Once it opens, you'll be asked to sign in or create a new account if you already have one. If you don't have an account yet, click "Create Account" and fill out the information required to create an account.

Step 5: Customizing the settings

After logging in, you can customize your Skype settings. Go to the "Settings" menu, where you'll find options to adjust your profile, privacy settings, notification preferences, and more. It's a good idea to set your microphone and camera settings for optimal call quality.

Installing and setting up Skype on Mac

Step 1: Download Skype

Start by downloading Skype for Mac. Use your web browser to visit the official Skype website. In the "Downloads" section, you will find the option to download Skype for Mac. Click the "Download" button to get the installer file.

Step 2: Open the installer

After you download the file, locate it in your "Downloads" folder. The file is usually named "Skype.dmg." Double-click this file to open the installer.

Step 3: Install Skype

After the installer opens, a window will appear asking you to drag the Skype icon to the "Applications" folder. Drag and drop the Skype icon as instructed. This action will install Skype on your Mac.

Step 4: Launch Skype

After installation, you can launch Skype by going to the "Applications" folder and double-clicking the Skype icon. If prompted by macOS Security, confirm that you want to open the application.

Step 5: Set up your Skype account

When Skype starts up, it will ask you to sign in or create a new account. If you don't have an account, select "Create an account" and follow the prompts to create an account. If you already have an account, enter your credentials to log in.

Step 6: Configure Skype settings

After logging in, go to the "Preferences" menu to adjust Skype settings to suit your needs. Here you can configure your audio and video settings, privacy preferences, and other personalized options to improve your Skype experience.

Installing and setting up Skype on Linux

Step 1: Download and install Skype

The method for installing Skype on Linux may vary slightly between different distributions. We will cover the steps for Ubuntu and Fedora, two commonly used distributions.

Ubuntu

Open a terminal and update your package list by typing the following command:

sudo apt update

Next, download Skype using the following command:

wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Once the download is complete, install Skype with this command:

sudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb

Fedora

Open Terminal and type the following command to download Skype:

wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.rpm

After downloading, install Skype using this command:

sudo dnf install skypeforlinux-64.rpm

Step 2: Launch Skype

Now that Skype is installed, you can launch it by searching for “Skype” in your Applications menu or by typing skypeforlinux into the terminal.

Step 3: Set up your account

When you launch Skype, you'll be asked to sign in or create a new account. If you're a new user, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your account, or sign in with your existing credentials.

Step 4: Adjust the settings

After logging in, go to the Settings menu to adjust Skype options. Here, you can configure various preferences such as audio and video settings, set your status, and manage your contacts to personalize your Skype experience.

Conclusion

By following the steps in this guide, you should now have Skype installed and set up on your operating system of choice. Skype offers a wide range of features to improve your communications experience, helping you stay connected with friends, family and colleagues. Whether you're using Windows, Mac or Linux, the process is straightforward and designed to get you started quickly.

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