[German]Quick reminder for users of Microsoft's Skype service. Microsoft is discontinuing its Skype service today, May 5, 2025. Users with remaining credit will be able to make calls using the dial pad. Skype users should delete the app or application for security reasons.
Skype support ends on May 5, 2025
I wrote about this in February 2025 in the blog post Microsoft kills Skype in May 2025; Teams to be the successor. Microsoft is shutting down the Skype service completely on May 5, 2025. Users will then use Teams as its successor. According to Microsoft, the switch will be free of charge and users will be able to log in to Teams using their Skype login details.
Personally, I took the opportunity and now use Signal for private communication.
It was foreseeable for some time that Skype would be discontinued at some point – after Skype for Business becomes Microsoft Teams (even though it was about the business version of Skype). The fact that something was going to happen "soon" was foreshadowed some time ago when the charging of Skype credit for calls was stopped and switched to subscriptions.
Skype shutdown as a security problem?
The planned shutdown of Skype on May 5, 2025 also raises security-related questions. At first glance, the shutdown of Skype itself is not an immediate security problem. However, the problem is outdated versions of Skype that remain on devices. Absolute Security pointed this out to me a few days ago. According to Absolute Security, users and IT managers should take the following measures to avoid security risks:
- Remove Skype completely from all devices. The reason: no more security updates will be provided, so known vulnerabilities will remain. Attackers could exploit these gaps – especially if Skype is still installed and active. There is also a risk from so-called shadow IT: users could try to install old versions manually or use alternative tools from third-party providers.
- Update endpoint security solutions: Depending on the software used, security policies should be adapted so that Skype is no longer permitted as an exception. Skype should also be blacklisted and actively checked to see whether it is still running or installed on systems.
- Clean the system thoroughly: Skype stores sensitive local data such as chat histories, transferred files or login information. To avoid leftover data, registry entries and the AppData and ProgramData folders should be checked and all old logs and temporary files deleted.
There was also advice to update the security guidelines and apply them to new communication platforms. Switching to other collaboration tools creates new potential points of attack, for example through misconfigurations or phishing via the new platform.
Dial pad for Skype calls
Microsoft no longer offers paid Skype features to new customers. This includes Skype Credit and subscriptions that allow you to make and receive international and domestic calls. Existing subscriptions have been automatically renewed until April 3, 2025 only.
However, Microsoft has implemented a Skype dial pad that is available on the Skype web portal or in Teams Free. After May 2025, people with active Skype Credit and subscriptions can continue to use these paid features and use the Skype Dialpad via the Skype web portal and in Teams Free.
Customers with an active call subscription and/or Skype Credit can sign in with their Skype credentials and continue to:
- make outgoing calls using the Skype dial pad
- receive incoming calls to their Skype number for the remainder of their subscription.
The Skype dial pad is only visible when a user has active Skype Credit or an active subscription. If a Skype Credit balance is inactive, users must reactivate it via My Account. For incoming calls in the web portal, make sure that the browser is open to receive notifications.
To transfer a Skype number, contact your new provider, writes Microsoft, or find out more here.
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