How to Update Skype on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

SkypeUpdateWindowsMacLinuxApplicationsSoftwareMaintenanceCommunicationFeaturesSecurity

Skype is a popular communication tool that enables video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging. However, to enjoy the latest features and fix any bugs, it is essential to keep Skype up to date. This detailed guide explains how to update Skype on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Updating Skype on Windows

Updating Skype on a Windows system is a straightforward process. There are two main ways to update Skype: using the built-in update feature in the app or uninstalling the old version and installing the latest version from the official website. Below are detailed instructions for both methods.

Method 1: Using Skype's built-in update feature

1. Open Skype on your Windows computer. You can do this by clicking the Skype icon in the Start menu or by searching for Skype in the search bar.

2. When you open Skype, if an update is available, you will usually receive a prompt indicating that an update is available. This prompt usually appears as a notification.

3. If a notification pops up, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update. Skype often guides you through this process automatically.

4. If no notification appears, click the "Help" tab at the top of the Skype window. In some versions, this may be under "More options," marked by a three-dot menu icon.

5. Select "Check for Updates" from the dropdown menu. Skype will check for any available updates. If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.

Method 2: Reinstalling Skype

If the built-in update option doesn't work, you can uninstall Skype and download the latest version from the Skype website. Here's how:

1. Close Skype if it is open. Make sure there are no background processes running for Skype. You can check this using Task Manager.

2. Open “Settings” on your computer by typing “settings” into the Windows search bar and selecting it.

3. In Settings, go to "Apps" or "Apps & Features." This will open a list of all the applications installed on your Windows computer.

4. Find Skype in the list of installed applications. Click on it, and then click the "Uninstall" button that appears.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

6. Once uninstalled, open your web browser and go to the official Skype download page.

7. Download the latest version of Skype compatible with Windows. Run the installer and follow the installation prompts to complete the setup.

Updating Skype on Mac

For Mac users, updating Skype is a little different but just as simple. Like Windows, it's easy to update through the app, or you can reinstall the app if necessary. Here's how to do both methods:

Method 1: Using Skype's built-in update feature

1. Launch Skype on your Mac by searching for it in Spotlight search or by clicking the application icon in your Dock or Applications folder.

2. When you open Skype you'll usually be notified with a pop-up message that a new update is available. If this happens, follow the prompts to update Skype.

3. If no notification appears, click "Skype" in the top menu bar of your screen, then select "Check for Updates."

4. Skype will search for updates and if an update is available, follow the instructions to download and install it.

Method 2: Reinstalling Skype

If updating through the app doesn't work, you can reinstall Skype. This method involves removing the current version and downloading the latest version. Here's how:

1. First, quit Skype by right-clicking its icon in the Dock and selecting "Quit," or by going to the Skype menu and selecting "Quit Skype."

2. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.

3. Find Skype in the Applications folder, right-click on it, and select "Move to Trash." You may need to enter your Mac's password to complete this action.

4. Clear the Trash by right-clicking the Trash bin in your Dock and selecting "Empty Trash."

5. Go to the official Skype website using a web browser, download the latest version of Skype for Mac, and unzip the downloaded file if it doesn't unzip automatically.

6. Drag the Skype application to the Applications folder in the Finder. This will install Skype on your Mac. You can now launch Skype and sign back into your account.

Updating Skype on Linux

For users running Linux, updating Skype may seem complicated, but it can be done efficiently using different package management systems such as apt or snap, depending on how Skype was initially installed on the system. Here's how to proceed in different cases:

Method 1: Using Snap

If you installed Skype using Snap, you can update it using the Snap package manager. Follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal window. You can do this by searching for Terminal in your Applications or using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T

2. Enter the following command to update all your Snap packages, including Skype:

    sudo snap refresh

3. Enter your password when prompted and wait for the process to complete. This command updates every Snap package installed on your system, not just Skype.

Method 2: Using a Skype package from Microsoft's repository

If Skype is installed through the official repository provided by Microsoft, you can update it using your distribution's package manager:

1. Again, open a terminal window.

2. Update the package list using the command:

    sudo apt update

3. After updating the package list, upgrade Skype by running the following:

    sudo apt upgrade skypeforlinux

4. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the upgrade process. This method keeps your Skype version up to date with Microsoft's releases.

Method 3: Reinstalling Skype

If you experience any problems with the methods above, or if you originally installed Skype via a downloaded DEB file, you may need to manually reinstall Skype:

1. Remove the current Skype installment using:

    sudo apt remove skypeforlinux

2. Visit the official Skype website to download the latest version. Find the appropriate DEB file for Ubuntu-based distributions or another package suitable for your distribution.

3. Download the package and install it as follows:

    sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb

4. If any dependencies are missing, fix them using the following:

    sudo apt install -f

Conclusion

Keeping Skype updated on your Windows, Mac or Linux machine ensures that you have access to the latest features, performance enhancements and security fixes. By following these sequential steps, you will be able to keep Skype updated and operating seamlessly, no matter what operating system you are using.

The instructions here cover the most common ways to update Skype on different systems, but may vary slightly depending on specific system configurations or changes to update processes with future Skype releases. Always refer to the official Skype documentation or Support if you encounter system-specific problems or need further assistance.

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