Launched in 2003, it quickly gained popularity for enabling free voice and video calls over the internet, reaching over 300 million monthly users at its peak in the mid-2010s.

The decision to retire Skype comes as Microsoft, which acquired the platform for $8.5 billion in 2011, aims to streamline its services and prioritize Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration. As competitors like WhatsApp and Zoom gained market share, Skype’s user base dwindled.

Both free and paid Skype users will be affected by the shutdown, although Skype for Business will remain operational temporarily.

Microsoft encourages users to transition to Teams, assuring that all Skype chats and contacts will be accessible using the same login credentials.

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Users have until January 2026 to download or migrate their data before it is permanently deleted.

As the shutdown approaches, a quiz has been launched to test users’ knowledge of Skype’s history and impact on communication.